Eight Franklin Pierce University students were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cover the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. this past week.
Even more amazing: each student applied for and received press credentials, allowing them to have an even more unique experience than many of those in attendance.
“It was surreal to see Obama and Trump walk out during the inauguration and to see the protests,” said junior Amanda Holland. “The feeling that I felt that day was one I will never forget. I was actually living it.”
While much fun was had on the trip, this was no free pass for the students, as they were expected to act in the role of journalists. Students were constantly interviewing, photographing, and recording as they traveled throughout the city, with some of the work making it into the Boston Herald.
“I was given the idea to write about the first 100 days for Trump in office,” said sophomore Luke Tracy. “It was a great learning experience.”
Students arrived in Washington D.C. on Tuesday and stayed through Saturday, with some attending the Women’s March. Freshman Anna Watkins said the march was the most exciting part of the trip for her, as she was able to see the strength and empowerment of those marching.
“I didn’t expect so many people to show up,” said Watkins. “Overall, the trip was an amazing experience.”
While not every student was a communications major, each student was expected to participate as a student-journalist through FPU’s PoliticsFitzU, the university group that has covered various events throughout the election cycle, including the Democratic and Republican National Convention and the first vote at Dixville Notch.
“We were always trying to do something,” said Watkins. “Even when we were exploring D.C. we were still taking photos and doing other things to contribute.”
In addition to watching and interviewing people about the inauguration and Women’s March, students were also given a Capitol tour, and met with and interviewed Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, and NH GOP Vice Chairman Matt Mayberry.
“When it comes to interviewing people, I wasn’t sure in how I should confront people,” said Tracy. “I learned that you have to respect them as a person and just have a conversation.”
In addition to refining what they have learned so far in college and taking the experience in, the college students also took on the role of mentors as 16 high school students also joined the trip.
“For me, it was interesting to see how hard [the high school students] were working,” said Holland. “I remember at one point a student named Max came over and asked me a bunch of questions. If it wasn’t about journalism, it was about college.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.