This year’s inauguration marked a historic day for many, as the 45th Commander-in-Chief, Donald Trump, was sworn in as president, while across the country protestors sought to share their voices on issues.
For Niles residents who traveled to Washington, D.C., to witness history being made, the new president entering office was only one aspect of a memorable experience.
Inspired by a call to action from Hawaiian resident Rebecca Shook, one-half million people across the county from South Bend to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., joined forces in the Women’s March.
On Inauguration Day Saturday, Jan. 20, Niles’ Doris Higgins represented the Michiana community with 51 other area residents.
While Higgins got the chance to express her voice, six students at Niles New Tech flew to Washington, D.C., to see their first presidential inauguration.

Finding common ground
There were so many people packed into a pre-march rally Saturday, Jan. 21 that Higgins could not physically move an inch. Around her, people donned pink from head to toe and waved signs.
“It was a historic moment to be there with that many people and to be there with all that energy,” Higgins said.
Just 12 hours before, Higgins and other area residents hopped on a bus in Benton Harbor on Jan. 20. Without the support from the southwest Michigan community, Higgins might have had to attend the march alone or with a smaller number of participants. To reserve the bus she had to have at least 35 people on board.
Surpassing that goal and locking down 51 participants was at once exciting and terrifying. Higgins said she had never been in charge of a political movement and was worried that someone would show up unannounced and she would not be able to let them join.
But all worked according to plan and as Higgins saw how people of varying backgrounds and ages united to talk about the national issues, her fears ebbed away.
With the countryside flying by her window and the march fast approaching, Higgins said she could hardly sleep.
When they arrived at the capital, Higgins stepped off the bus astounded at the outpouring of support that she saw.
“I think it shows the power that we have to initiate and create dialogue,” Higgins said.
Higgins said she became motivated to speak out after being discouraged by the rhetoric that at times had dominated the presidential campaign. Before this election, she said she had not been involved in politics.
After returning from the march Sunday, Higgins said she wanted to be more involved.
In a phone interview Tuesday night, Higgins was already on her way to another political event in Benton Harbor.
While representing the issues Higgins cared about was a driving force in her participation, joining others in becoming more civically aware was the end goal.
“A lot of people do not understand the impact of policies and the impact on their own life,” Higgins said. “People don’t understand how it impacts them and their families.”
Higgins recognized that for some people, other concerns take priority. Still she encouraged residents to find ways to show their support.

Democracy in action
The day before Higgins and other area residents would embark on their journey to Washington, D.C., six Niles New Tech students boarded a plane in Chicago on Jan. 19 to watch history in the making.
The trip was organized through Education First tours. Students that wanted to participate raised money for the trip in the weeks leading up to the inauguration.
American studies teacher Nicholas Hawley, who supervised students on the trip, said he wanted to give youth an opportunity to watch the inauguration process, while also reviewing the nation’s history.
For student David Heiser, the experience was a memorable one.
“Being able to go to the 2017 inauguration in [Washington] D.C. was definitely a unique experience for me,” Heiser said. “I found it really cool to be able to actually witness a historical event in person. Being able to see President Trump being sworn into office will not be something that I will forgot any time soon.”
Hawley said students traveled to several historical markers, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Mount Vernon and the Arlington Cemetery.
“It was nice to be able to walk around the nation’s capital and reflect on the history component,” Hawley said. “The memorials really showed the development of our country.”
To top it all off, students got to watch Donald Trump take the presidential oath.
“I was inspired by being in our nation’s capital,” Hawley said. “Whoever it was that was sworn in, I was there for the opportunity to witness the inauguration.”
Students also got to see the city after the protest. Hawley said students walked around the capital and saw the discarded signs, as well as the signs that had been placed along the fences and through out the city.
Like Higgins, Hawley said what he hoped was gained by those who participated was a call to be more civically engaged in their country. Hawley said he felt the trip offered those who attended to do just that.
“I would say it encourages civic awareness,” Hawley said, “which was my inspiration for the trip to allow for civic awareness.”