Winning essays from the Daily News' "Win a Trip to the Inauguration" contest

By JESSE HUNLEY, 18

Senior, Overbrook High School

On Jan. 20, the United States will be swearing in its first African-American president.

Personally, a lot of my peers think that black people can "take it easy" now that a black man is in office. But I think it's the complete opposite of that. Now that a minority has won, it means that I have to continue to challenge myself to be "all that I can be."

It also means that I must continue to beat stereotypes and defy the odds. I have to prove not just to myself but to the world that I'm more than your average "inner-city kid."

I can no longer sit back and watch as my neighborhood falls apart. This inauguration means that I can do anything I set my mind to. It also means that I can no longer create an excuse or come up with a reason why I did not accomplish something I am personally responsible for.

The inauguration means that when people ALL believe in one common goal, they can make a positive change in the world that they live in. It also means that we must change for the better. No longer can we be classified as drug dealers or high-school dropouts. We must be more united as a group of people.

This inauguration means that a lot of the stupid stuff such as "black-on-black" crime and the high percentage of young black men being jailed must come to an end. No longer can we blame others for our downfalls. This upcoming historic inauguration means that change is going to come. But, in order for change to come, change must first start at home. All in all, that is what the inauguration of Barack Obama means to me. *

By LASHONDA ANDERSON, 17

Senior, Cardinal Dougherty High School

Barack Obama's inauguration demonstrates pure success, and I know a thing or two about demonstrating success.

I am a single teen mom who gets up every morning to show my peers that even though I am in this predicament, I won't give up. Often, people tell me that if they were in my shoes, they wouldn't be in school. It motivates me that someone would think so little of me, but at the same time admire me. Going to this inauguration would mean more than just a day off from school but a demonstration of how I can go against all odds.

Mr. Obama always describes himself as a skinny black kid with a dream. I am a single mother with a dream that one day I can be an inspiration to young girls like myself and anyone who has ever been told what they can't do or has ever felt held back.

Barack Obama's inauguration would prove to me that with the help of my wonderful and loving parents, the possibilities are unlimited. The day he won the election, my son and I sat there watching the election coverage and my mother told me, well you know what that means to you, right? "The sky is the limit."

I carry that with me every day of my life. Sharing my experience of going to Barack Obama's inauguration to my son would be the greatest story ever, just to be amongst many of the country's most powerful people would be such an honor.

Mr. Obama, as the nation's 44th president, taking the oath of office would let me know I could take on anything in life. He has taken one of the toughest jobs ever, and that is what makes him so admirable. Just to experience his inauguration as a high-school senior would start me on my way in college, with history as my major. *

By LAUREN MELENDEZ, 17

Junior, Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Bryn Mawr)

In all of my 17 years of life, about the last five of which I have just begun to acquire a growing knowledge and understanding of politics, I have never felt so personally engaged, proud and touched as I was due to the recent election.

I'm a biracial female (of black and Puerto Rican descent) who would be genuinely happy for a person of any race to achieve something as amazing as winning a presidential election. However, when I think back to 60 years ago and African-Americans could not even vote [in the South], it brings tears to my eyes that we have come so far.

Sixty years may seem like an eternity to some, but given the history of blacks and captivity, this constitutes rapid change. I've dealt with racial slurs, pretended to laugh at "black" jokes, "mixed" jokes, and while I am very, very proud of whom I am, those things take a toll on me - on any person, I would

assume.

So I'm so deeply joyful to be able to hold on to such an event. To know that the man who will be leading the country I was born and raised in has some of the same blood flowing through his veins as I. To grasp that I have a common bloodline as someone who has made history as a "first" gives me a great sense of pride.

When thinking about it - it may sound silly, but I just close my eyes and smile - I remind myself that this is part of history, my history, black history, but in addition to this being a cultural achievement, this election has also instilled in me more pride for my country as a whole. This is also American history!

How incredible it is and what a positive, progressive aura the American people have created! There is nothing wrong with a Caucasian president, Asian, Hawaiian, but Barack Obama winning this election depicts the growth and positive change in America. His achievement illustrates how many racial issues we have overcome and that we are really examining deeper issues, really focusing on what's important rather than trying to keep things the same for the sake of tradition or being followers.

I cannot begin to express how much it would mean to be to be chosen to go to Barack Obama's inauguration - the change I would feel and the inspiration I would receive to be a part of such a historical event. His election has made me proud, but more than anything, it has truly made me feel that I can do anything I put my mind to. *