Submitted Photo | Daily Times

Pictured are Kathaleen Kuhn, Haley Bender and Gracie Williams at the presidential inauguration on Monday.

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Wayne Allen

PDT Staff Writer

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington D.C. on Monday to witness the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Among them was a delegation of 4-H kids and adults from Scioto County and across the state of Ohio.

“We came on a trip with about 100 people from the 4-H program from across the state of Ohio. We brought two chartered buses full of kids. I have three kids from Scioto County, there are two kids from Pike County, one from Adams County and a bunch from everywhere else,” said Jo Williams, Scioto County 4-H Youth Development Educator.

She said those attending form Scioto County are herself, Kathaleen Kuhn, Haley Bender (both students at Minford) and Gracie Williams (a student at Wheelersburg).

“We got here (Washington D.C.) Saturday evening and we spent the day yesterday (Sunday) sight-seeing. We did a twilight tour of some of the monuments, we were able to make it to the Martin Luther King Jr., Monument last night (Sunday),” Williams said.

She said the goal of the trip was to bring the kids to the inauguration.

“The folks that were planing the trip started in September. At that point it was a trip to come and see history. They did not know who was going to be inaugurated, they were just planing a trip to bring 4-H’ers to the inauguration,” Williams said.

Williams described the days activities as, unbelievable.

“It’s pretty unbelievable, when you look in any direction and all you can see is flags waving and people screaming and yelling, It’s pretty impressive,” Williams said.

She said some of the participants of the trip had been to Washington before but none had been to an inauguration.

“I think most of the kids realized what they witnessed today was a really neat thing. I think 20 or 30 years from now when they look back on this experience, it will likely be more impressive to them that they were able to be here,” Williams said. “The inauguration is a tremendous event and has historical significance. I think they will be able to look back on this 20 years from now and they will be happy to say they were here and experienced it with hundreds of thousands of other people.”

Williams said the group she was with were positioned during the inauguration halfway between the capital building and the Washington Monument.

“We were not close. But they had big screens and speakers so you could hear everything and see everything,” Williams said. “It was still impressive when you here the president giving his inaugural speech. Overall it’s a pretty impressive event.”

Kathaleen Kuhn and Haley Bender said it was very cold but worth it, to be able to say you witnessed history.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 228, or tallen@civitasmedia.com.