Aug 28, 2008 8:10 pm US/Central
Chicago Students Say Obama's Success Gives Hope
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Students at Claremont Academy say Sen. Barack Obama's success has inspired them to consider more possibilities for themselves.
CBS
Many children were watching television Wednesday night in the historic moment when Sen. Barack Obama clinched the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports at one school the political lesson has become an inspiration for students in one of the city's toughest neighborhoods.
In the heart of Chicago's Englewood community there is too much violence, too many drugs and too much despair. But there is also hope in this neighborhood. The latest inspiration comes from a man making history as the first African American presidential nominee.
"I feel like he's inspiring me because people used to tell me that black man can't do it," said student Lee Boyd. "Now look at Barack. He's going for president. That tells me that I can do anything."
"It make me feel like I can do something with my life," said student Dorian Huffman. "I don't have to have a baby when I get 16. I can go out there and have a job and be successful in life."
The proud students are eight graders at Claremont Academy. Their assignment this week was to watch the Democratic National Convention. It's an assignment they embrace because they realize they're watching history.
"If I live long enough I can tell my grandkids and great grandkids, tell them that I watched Barack give his speech, I watched Hillary give her speech, I watched Bill Clinton and I watched Michelle Obama," said student Larry Turner.
And they will watch Thursday night as Obama accepts the Democratic nomination.
"I cannot wait until tonight to listen to Obama speak. That's because he has a chance of being the president of the United States," said student Jasmine Searcy.
Teacher Regina Roberts said, "Barack Obama may not be the only president, maybe we'll have a president in this room as well."
Roberts is trying to run a non-partisian class. Part of the students' assignment also includes watching the Republican National Convention next week.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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