Students attend inauguration
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
A Purdue student who attended President George
W. Bush's inauguration said Washington, D.C., had a definite Texan flavor
over the weekend.
Brenda Shea, a junior in the school of Liberal
Arts, said there were a lot of cowboy hats and boots at the celebration
for President Bush, who hails from Texas.
"You can tell that Texans really like to have fun,"
said Shea.
Shea worked as a ballroom monitor for the Texas
and Washington Inaugural Ball after signing up to work for the Republican
National Convention. Her job was to make sure that lines for the bar
didn't get too long; she would tap guests on the shoulder and kindly
ask them to move to the next line.
"We couldn't believe our luck," said Shea. "We
could have been stuck checking coats, but we were right in the ball."
A number of talented bands played on three stages
during the celebration, including the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Mr.
Fabulous, said Shea.
The ball was a black-tie event that attracted several
famous people, such as some of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers
athletes, said Shea.
Shea drove 30 hours to be part of this year's presidential
inaugural ball and said it was worth it after hearing President Bush's
inaugural speech.
"It was amazing," said Shea.
The Texas and Washington ball was just one of eight
inaugural balls held in favor of the president's election.
Pat Mondi, Purdue Student Government vice president,
attended the Washington Ball, held at George Washington University.
Mondi said this was a celebration for America,
not just of the inauguration.
Mondi attended the president's inaugural speech
before the night's celebrations and said that the president spoke about
important issues.
"He hit a lot of really high-minded parts specifically
calling Americans to recognize our common higher calling," said Mondi.
Mondi felt that the whole inauguration was powerful
and moving.
"Just being able to witness history is a great
opportunity," said Mondi. "It was something I'll never forget."
Matt Plomin, a junior in the School of Management,
agreed that Bush's speech touched on important issues.
"He touched on his compassionate, conservative
views in his inaugural speech," said Plomin.
Plomin was disappointed that Bush did not touch
on those views during his campaign but was pleased when he did so in
his inaugural speech.
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