Farewell, Mr. President
The classroom full of fifth graders sat in silence, eyes glued to the bright television screen lighting up the dim room. The chatter had ceased about a minute ago as the man of the hour appeared upon the screen. Newly elected President Barack Obama graced the stage in front of the crowd and swore in as the next Commander in Chief of the United States of America. The kids of Mrs. Roth’s fifth grade class watched in awe. This was the first time they had seen a President get sworn into office, and little did they know, this man would leave such an imprint upon their lives growing up in America.
I sat amongst this group of children, watching in utter amazement. I remembered hearing so much about the “Next President” and what that meant, but it never really registered for me. I looked at Mr. Obama and soaked in his person. His stature, composition, and utter joy. I remember that day so clearly. It was a moment of unity amongst my classmates and I.
Flash forward eight years and that feeling has yet to wear off. President Obama has impacted my generation to an extent I never imagined. In a time of such change and progress, Barack Obama did not falter one moment to stay current. He was the first President to openly support gay marriage; he provided healthcare for all, and improved school nutrition for children across the country. President Obama did not stop at anything to make an effort to help the youth of this generation. Aside from his political reform, he will definitely be known as one of the most hip presidents. From destroying the court in basketball, to the signature mom jeans, to literally “mic dropping” after a speech, Obama made politics and government attainable to modern day youth. He let us in on the fun and made himself someone to aspire to as a teenager growing up in a generation like ours. President Obama allowed us to look toward the next step, and make progress happen ourselves.
As we move forward to elect a new president, I cannot help but look back on what Mr. Barack Obama has done for our country. I will forever associate the word “President” with “Obama.” With a heavy heart, I say goodbye to Obama, and thank him for the eight years of leadership and joy he brought my generation.
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