On January 20th, more than 400 students, parents and teachers packed Twigg-Smith Pavilion to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama ’79, the school’s most famous alumnus. As Obama was sworn into office, the auditorium erupted in cheers, applause and prideful tears of joy. “It’s just amazing that Obama – a Punahou graduate – is now president of the United States,” remarked seventh-grader Shannel.

Celebration continued throughout the day, with teachers in the Junior School picking up on the “teachable moments” of the historic occasion. (The Academy was not in session due to Administration Day.)

In Grade 6 Assembly, Mr. Smart’s class gave a presentation on inauguration traditions and showed clips of the ceremony, including the President’s address. 7th and 8th graders, meanwhile, studied different aspects of the event in their core classes. Team 7Y examined the Middle East’s coverage of the inauguration with their Social Studies teacher, Obama’s science platform with their Science teacher, and the President’s rhetorical devices with their English teacher. They also used their knowledge of very large numbers and scientific notation to do some number crunching on the current financial state of the country, such as the deficit, the cost of wars, and the housing crisis.

The highlight of the day’s events, however, was the rousing K-5 parade and pep rally. Donned in patriotic regalia (including homemade hats of red, white and blue paper), students and teachers paraded from the Winne Units to the gym. Some waved celebratory banners proudly proclaiming “Obama ‘Ohana” and “Obama in da House.” At the rally, Chaplains Medeiros and Hayashi, dressed as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam respectively, read a prayer compiled from student comments collected earlier in the day, expressing fervent wishes for the safety of President Obama, the First Family and the country during this deepening economic recession. For the remainder of the rally, students sang patriotic songs and, with great enthusiasm, watched video clips of the inaugural event, including footage of Punahou’s participation in the inaugural parade.