Region marks a historic day

5:40 p.m.

On a normal day in an eighth-grade classroom, there’s no shortage of fidgeting, whispering and giggling.

But today, it was silent in Mrs. Wilcox’s Algebra I class at Tuckahoe Middle School. All eyes were glued to the television.

Regular class work halted as students at Tuckahoe — and across the nation —watched Barack Obama’s historic inauguration.

Many were mesmerized.

“This is something I’ll always remember. Even when I’m old — like 60 — I’ll remember sitting in math class watching this,” said eighth grader Clay O’Keefe.

“We’ll be telling this to our kids and our grandkids,” said classmate Max Cannon.

Despite student-fueled rumors that missing school to watch the inauguration was an excused absence (in most cases, it was not), the majority of pupils showed up for classes today. Still, some school districts reported higher absentee rates than average.

Four- and five-year olds in the preschool class at St. Joseph’s Villa were watching inaugural festivities during the morning. “We’re watching Barack Obama,” said one student named Semag.

“I think Barack Obama wins a trophy,” explained Megan.

Across campus in the Dooley School, high school students gathered around televisions.

Teachers had invited parents and grandparents to explain to teenagers the significance of the day.

“Teens haven’t seen the struggle,” said Kenneth Foxworth, who was in class with his grandson, Charles Woodson. “They need someone to impress upon them how deep this really is.”

“It is nice,” said Thomas Springs, 17. “I get to see the first black president sworn into the White House.”

For much of the morning, the television was off in Clare Sisisky’s 12th grade humanities class at Hermitage High School.

Students were discussing poetry written for past inaugurations. Line by line, they dissected the meaning of the works, connecting them to history, art and philosophy.

Will Bagby, a fifth-grade teacher at Beulah Elementary in Chesterfield County, thought hard about how to use the televised inauguration to make a point to students.

“So many of our families have a vested interest in our new president. I’m asking the students to use a listening guide with discussion questions on key issues,” he said.

“They will be taking notes during President Obama’s speech in hopes that we can revisit these issues over time and think critically about the progress we, as a nation, have made.”

--Lisa Crutchfield

4:30 p.m.

In Richmond, legislators who watched Obama’s inaugural address from the floor of the state Senate and House of Delegates were struck by the new president’s resolve.

“Anybody who watched could tell this guy’s not one bit hesitant about his ability to pull the country out of this mess,” said Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax.

Saslaw added, however, that there were no “grab lines” as when President John F. Kennedy told Americans to “ask what you can do for your country.”

Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell, said Obama delivered the speech with such forcefulness that it will “unite the nation behind him to make things happen.”

Del. Franklin P. Hall, D-Richmond, was struck by the determination that Obama showed. “He told it like it is and, boy, did he do that,” Hall said.

Del. Mark D. Sickles, D-Fairfax, saw in the speech a conciliatory approach to the nation’s enemies, such as North Korea and Iran.

But he said Obama also showed the resolve to confront those enemies.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, R-Prince William, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, was among a handful of Republicans who sat in the House of Delegates chamber and watched the ceremony.

“Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, this is a very historical day for this country,” he said. “This shows the progress we have made in this country.”

About 20 legislators from each body watched the address.

--Tyler Whitley.

1:15 p.m.

In the West End at TGI Friday’s, 11600 W. Broad St., the bar was packed as patrons watched events unfold on television. Applause followed Obama’s swearing-in and speech.

Lamar Calloway, 30 , said he came with his fiancée to watch and expected the new president to talk about the future and how to move forward.

“It is special moment for America, for African-Americans, for everybody,” he said.

Felicia Margaretta and Hye Kim, who work nearby at Capital One, said they were excited to be part of the event because Obama has brought people from different backgrounds together.

“He has promised a lot of change and that’s what we need,” said Margaretta, 27. “We need a hero now.”

At the end of Obama’s speech, Jackie Harris, of Charlottesville, was crying. She’d stopped by with her son, Anthony Floyd, on the way home.

Tears came, she said, because “this is a very monumental event” She has worked at both the Fairfax and Albemarle county boards of registration, she said, and is now a consultant.

The restaurant, which is holding a nationwide party to mark the inauguration, will continue the celebration all day and plans to hold a toast at 9 tonight.

--Luz Lazo

At Henderson Center on the Virginia Union University campus, about 50 people watched the historic events unfold.

Whitney Barbettini, a freshman from Clinton, Md., who wore an Obama T-shirt, said, “He can unite the country so that we can stand against whatever enemies come against us.

"If we’re united, we can win. If we’re divided, we can’t.”

Anthony Singleton, a VUU senior from Newport News, said, “I think it shows the country has come a really long way from where it has been. It shows the hearts and minds of America have really changed from the past.”

Cheers and applause followed the swearing-in and speech.

After the speech, the group applauded and broke out into “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

--Jeremy Slayton

11:50 a.m.

Hundreds of viewers watched the inauguration live through a WTVR-Channel 6 CBS feed at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown today. The event was free and open to the public.

The crowd, which filled half the theater, cheered as political figures filled the screen.

Among those attending was Lillie Welch, 63, of Chesterfield County, who brought her three grandchildren, Travelle, 14; Kyla, 8; and Téshaun, 6.

Pausing at the concession stand, where she was buying popcorn, Welch said she brought her grandchildren because “I wanted the kids to focus on what the event is all about.

“ I don’t think a lot of younger kids really understand how important it is.”

The inauguration is “very important” to her, she said. “It brings tears to my eyes.”

Todd Schall-Vess, general manager of the theater, said this was the first time the Byrd had broadcast a live event.

It brings the theater full circle to the time in the early 20th century when people came to the theater to watch newsreels of the week's events.

--Bill Lohmann