Wednesday
January 26th, 2005
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Feature
A celebration in Washington
Bush inagurated for second term in White House
By Gabrielle Wiegand - Feature Writer
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| Flags line Pennsylvania Ave. leading up to the Capitol Building |
Whether you love President Bush or hate him, it is an incredible thing to witness a President being sworn into office- to stand on the lawn of our Nation's Capitol while a frail but resolute Chief Justice administers the oath of office.
I think that is what our founding fathers had in mind when they began this crazy experiment. They looked to the future and saw hundreds of people standing in line in the freezing cold to hear words being spoken and to witness a peaceful transferal of power from one administration to another.
And as you stand there in the bitter January cold, craning your neck to get a better view, the whole world seems to stand still for a few seconds as you hear those basic words that mean so much to Americans, "I, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and I will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
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| Parade participants set up before Presidential Inagueration. Following the event, the President and First Lady drive from the Capitol Building to the White House which signifies the beggining of the parade. |
There were nine official balls on the evening of the Inauguration that the President attended. According to the "buzz around town" the Black Tie and Boots gala was the one to be at. I attended the George Washington University Ball that was geared to college students and overall was a fabulous time, but then again any time I can put my prom dress on and pretend I am someone important is a good time.
The whole town of Washington D.C. was turned upside down for the Inauguration of President George W. Bush and every area of the city was prepared and organized.
Extra law officers and military personnel were called in from out of state. On the day of the Inauguration, the entire mall area of D.C. was fenced off and in order to get into it you had to go through security checkpoints. The metro system handled thousands of passengers on Jan. 20 and they added extra cars to their trains to manage the overload.
I was incredibly impressed with how nice everyone was in D.C. From the cab drivers to the police officers to the museum docents at the Smithsonian to that man behind me in line on the metro, everyone was helpful and tolerant of the many silly tourists who took over their city. There was a huge contingent of Boys and Girls Scouts who were camped out on every street corner with maps, helping to direct people.
Along with the many supporters of the president was the variety of critics in attendance. Protestors lined the parade route, holding signs and chanting chants, hoping to get the president's attention as his motorcade went by. It was a wonderful thing to see, because that too is what our founders had in mind. They intended for those with dissenting opinions to exercise their right to protest.
Another AST success story
David Wachtveitl interns with Lincoln Home National Historic Site
By Sherrika Green - Guest Commentary
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| Brian Wachteveitl learned valuable experience while interning with the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, as part of his AST |
Criminal justice major, David Wachtveitl describes his applied study term at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site as "beneficial in preparation for the working world." In designing and completing his internship, Wachtveitl wrote a 60 page report on the history and mission of the National Park Service. Included in his report was a colorful array of photographs depicting the natural scenery, wildlife, and people of national parks. Watctveitl's hard work in putting together his AST portfolio gained the attention of his advisor and AST staff who nominated him for Outstanding Student. I sat down with Watchtveitl to learn more about what led him to his applied study.
Strategic planning helped Wachtveitl courageously change career paths. "I was employed at the Lincoln Home as a park tour guide before I knew I wanted to go into a law enforcement position. I decided to go to the police academy to pursue this goal. It just so happened when I finished at the academy, a position opened. The park service offers what is called a Student Career program. It is a way the park can hire a student while they are going to school. In exchange, the student works for a lower pay wage. If the student completes the program successfully, when they graduate from college, they're offered a permanent position." After Wachtveitl applied for the position, he was chosen for the job. Wachtveitl saw it as an opportunity to use it as an applied study.
AST's innovative self-directed teaching style coincides with the mission of many UIS programs. "Having just transferred to UIS from the Law Enforcement Administration program at Lincoln Land Community College , I knew completing an internship is a requirement of the Criminal Justice program. I went ahead and used this new position as an applied study because it seemed like a good idea. I sat down with Dr. Hayler and Kathy Dehart, a chief ranger, to plan out specific learning objectives. I thought it would be helpful for me to focus my learning on researching the history of park service." Wachtveitl's report expanded his knowledge in many new areas.
"In writing my AST paper, I had the opportunity to go through different websites, books, and research materials. When I was a park tour guide, I just focused on the history of Abraham Lincoln and the civil war era. I hadn't learned about Harry Yount, one of the first park rangers or about there being 400 national parks-- some that are in obscure places. For example, there's a park dedicated to the Hopewell Indian tribe that I wouldn't have known anything about if I hadn't stumbled across it." Wachtveitl's research helped him to rededicate his appreciation to law enforcement and park service.
"Probably the best thing about being in this position is the fact that I get paid to work someplace where other people pay to go on vacation. Each national park serves to protect a significant historical resource. Here in Springfield , thousands of people come to view the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned. If we were not here to enforce the rules and regulations, something might happen to the home. Every year, law enforcement officials across the United States arrest and cite people for trying to disturb and steal things from national parks. A couple of years ago this guy went out to a civil war battleground in Manassas , Virginia with a metal detector and dug up 23 bullets. If he had not been caught, there would have been 23 less things that could have provided some education to somebody else." Wachtveitl's passion for history and protecting national parks ensures him a long career.
