NATCHEZ — Clapping, cheering and smiles were aplenty as President Barack Obama raised his right hand and changed history.

Krystal Boxley and Trinicia Turner, Co-Lin students who watched en masse Tuesday morning, they were following the entire process of Obama’s road to the White House.

Both students voted for the first time in November, and said they were pleased to have an active role in making history.

They said they wanted to watch the inauguration to have the full experience and since they couldn’t be there themselves.

Both said watching Obama take his oath as the 44th, and first black, president of the United States will be a lifelong memory.

Co-Lin student Jermail Thomas said he came out Tuesday morning to seize a unique opportunity.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Thomas said. “It might not happen again, but I hope it does.”

Decked in an Obama shirt, he called the president’s inauguration a blessing.

“There have been 43 other presidents, and now this one is black. It’s a nice thing,” he said.

He said he would have gone to the inauguration given the chance, but he said watching it on TV was second best.

“I’d love to be there. I’d try to get close enough to him to shake his hand and say congratulations,” Thomas said.

Student Ida Deal had a hand in organizing the event, and she said the genesis of gathering students together for the swearing in wasn’t just school related.

“The main thing is it’s a celebration,” Deal said. “It’s history being made.”

Student Megan Walton, who also helped organize the event, said she was surprised at the turn out. She said because the majority of the classes are on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, to see roughly 100 students come out on a Tuesday was unexpected.

“We didn’t expect this many people to be here,” she said.