A young man sporting dreadlocks slouched in his seat with arms folded, a young woman rested her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder, and another young woman wandered around taking pictures with her cellphone.

But all eyes in Green River Community College’s Lindbloom Student Center on Tuesday morning were focused on the big screen where at 9:05 a.m., Barack Obama, was sworn in as 44th President of the United States on live television.

And as Obama pronounced “So help me, God,” to Chief Justice John Roberts, the crowd estimated at 800 stood and cheered the first African-American ever to be President.

Obama took the oath of office proclaiming “a moment that will define a generation,” while vowing to help the country meet the challenges of two wars and a troubled economy.

A moment in history that for many present, and especially for the African-Americans, marked one of the greatest days of their lives.

“It was amazing,” said 20-year-old Dubem Chiedu of Federal Way. “I have never experienced something like that, especially as a black man. Now I realize that that could be me. I never thought this day would come.”

“I am very excited because we are part of history, and he is our first African-American president, and I am speechless,” said Jaleesa Jones, 19. “It’s the first year I voted, and I was part of history myself. As an African-American, I am very proud.”

Lori Vail, a GRCC English teacher, gaped at how far the country had come in her lifetime.

“I grew up in Texas where segregation is still real,” Vail said. “My mother went to segregated schools and drank out of ‘White Only’ water fountains. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.

“…The thing I am most impressed about with Barack Obama today is that for the first time in the last 10 years, I hear someone in our government saying that what they care most about is that we all embrace one another. I think John McCain could have done just as well if he were willing to do it, and I believe he would have been,” Vail said.

Omar Osman, 25, a native of Somalia and a Muslim, was smiling.

“It was really amazing and really great. I realized being from East Africa that America is about freedom. And it’s not going to matter where you are from, there are going to be big changes for all Americans,” said Osman.

“I didn’t vote for him, but I like what he has to say and he’s my president too, so time to put all that aside, I guess,” said Sarah Flansburg, 20.

Allison Scott, 47, remembered the prejudice and discrimination that marked her Arkansas upbringing.

“I grew up in that time where things were changing, when schools started to be desegregated. I saw a lot of things, but I kept that dream that one day we would come through, and there would be a positive change for humanity, period, not for white or for black,” Scott said. “And I am so thankful that I have seen this day. This was a day that our forefathers envisioned, and it has come to pass.”

Scott’s only regret is that her parents did not live to see it come to pass.

“Oh boy, they would be in tears,” Scott said. “Like Obama said in his speech, my parents were hands-to-the-plow people people who earned their bread by the sweat of their brow. That’s the way things were then. Now this day has come to pass. We have a black president today. Wow!”

Celebrants were treated to breakfast, multicultural dancing and other activities to highlight the dreams of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to celebrate the political system of the United States.

The event, sponsored by the President’s Commission on Diversity, was held in collaboration with Student Services, Diversity Services, the Multicultural Equity Council, the Student SEnate, GRCC instruction and the City of Auburn.