President Donald Trump - WKTV Journal

Editor’s Note: Hunter Noorman attended the Inauguration of President Donald Trump with his Wyoming High School classmates, and agreed to write about the experience for School News Network. He is in the Wyoming High School wind ensemble as the bass trombonist, captain and driver for the robotics team 858 Demons, and captain of the cross country and track teams. He has worked with the Wyoming City Council to speak on behalf of the younger generation. ” I enjoy helping others and getting new experiences,” he said.

By Hunter Noorman

Wyoming High School Senior for School News Network

The trip was packed with unforgettable events for Hunter Noorman and other Wyoming High School students (photos courtesy of Hunter Noorman)

As I stepped on the bus at approximately 5:45 a.m. last Thursday morning, I knew this trip to Washington D.C. to witness the Presidential Inauguration, with about 20 of my peers and history teacher John Doyle, was going to be crazy awesome. Sure, the ride seemed to drag on, but it built my excitement up for the days ahead, and it was an experience that lived up to my expectations.

Whether it was standing in front of a jumbotron to see the passing of powers from one president to another, to seeing one of our foreign-exchange students going body surfing at an Inaugural Ball hosted by student travel company WorldStrides, the trip overall had a positive impact on my life. I got to see democracy at its finest and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Wyoming High School joined a group of Flushing High School students who were just as excited as I was to see our nation’s Capitol. After the swearing in of the 45th president, we got to go see the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial. They were such amazing sights and I could not have been more impressed with D.C. The weather was dreary but that did very little to dull my excitement for this experience. After a long day of walking about 10 miles and seeing monuments and little shops on the sidewalk, we fell asleep at a Marriott that was by far the best hotel I had ever stayed in.

We visited several monuments, but the one that stuck out the most was the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It had so many inspirational quotes from a man who wanted to change the world and change the way people thought. I got to visit a couple Smithsonian museums, the National Archives and The United States Marine Corps War Memorial (better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial), as well as the Lincoln Memorial and Ford’s Theatre.

Wyoming High School students stand in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

I went to Arlington National Cemetery, which was a somber place but had a powerful presence. The Changing of the Guard was very powerful, as well as seeing where the Kennedys are buried. I saw my Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher enthused at the sight of a lot of original documents in the National Archives, which changed and shaped the United States into what it is today. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and even the Magna Carta were so moving because these documents had a significant influence on the U.S and the meaning of a democracy to me today.

There is so much more that I could explain in detail, but I was so amazed by my trip. From seeing the transition of power to witnessing our First Amendment rights executed through protesting, the memories from these events are ones I will carry with me for life. I made so many friends and met so many cool people, that the trip provided by WorldStrides was spectacular. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can say I was there.

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Seeing the origins and the background of the United States was an experience I will be able to pass onto my kids one day. I finished the trip exhausted as one can be, but given the chance to go again I would take it. This is America, and this trip helped my love for history grow.

WKTV Staff

Jan. 25, 2017

As the new Congress began work late last week, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), whose district includes much of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, issued statements both praising the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States and voicing his continued support of limits on federal abortion funding.

“Millions of Americans, including the majority of West Michigan, voted to change the direction of our nation and we have already begun to see the results,” Rep. Huizenga said in supplied material on Jan. 20. “I look forward to working with President Trump and Vice President (Mike) Pence to strengthen our economy, end the ‘Washington knows best’ mentality, and make it easier for hardworking families and small businesses across West Michigan to succeed.”

Then, on Jan. 24, Rep. Huizenga voted in support of H.R. 7, The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017.

The act “is an incredibly important step in the fight to defend the unborn while also protecting taxpayers,” he said in supplied material. “This significant legislation extends the Hyde Amendment to all federal programs, while also prohibiting the use of ObamaCare subsidies to purchase plans that include abortion coverage. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to end the life of unborn children.”

On Jan. 25, the representative also spoke on the house floor on “defense of the unborn, the upcoming March for Life, and how Congress must do more to prevent late-term abortions.”

“I commend President Trump for making one of his very first actions protecting unborn children around the world by preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars through foreign aid from being used to fund groups that promote abortion under the guise of ‘family planning,” he said.

Sen. Peters opposes President’s cabinet selections, supports TPP withdrawal

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, on Jan. 24, released a statement in opposition to former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.

“I am extremely disappointed that President Trump chose Rex Tillerson — an individual with extensive ties to business and political leaders in Russia — as his Secretary of State nominee,” Sen. Peters said in supplied material. “While Mr. Tillerson may have received Russia’s Order of Friendship award from Vladimir Putin, make no mistake: Russia is no friend to the United States.

“Additionally, I am concerned about Mr. Tillerson’s failure to fully recognize the extent of climate change as a top national security threat that must be addressed through American leadership on the world stage. For these reasons, I cannot support Mr. Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.”

Also on Jan. 24, Sen. Peters addressed his opposition to the nomination of Michigan’s Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education.

“We need a Secretary of Education who is dedicated to improving access to quality public education based on sound evidence and ensuring the proper implementation of federal laws designed to protect and help all our children,” he said in supplied material. “That is why I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos of Michigan to serve as Secretary of Education.

“Mrs. DeVos’ resume contains no experience in public education at any level, not as a teacher, not as an administrator, not as a student or parent, not as a school board member and not even as a borrower of public loans for college. … Her only experience in education is her work lobbying for the transfer of taxpayer money to private schools and the rapid expansion of charter schools without sufficient accountability to parents and students. … I cannot, and will not, support Betsy DeVos’ nomination.”

Sen. Peters on Jan. 23, also voted against the nomination of U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Sen. Peters did, however, voice support for the President’s action to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific partnership.

“I have long opposed the TPP because it fails to address unfair labor practices and foreign currency manipulation that puts our American manufacturers and automakers at a competitive disadvantage, and I’m pleased the President took this step to withdraw from the agreement,” he said in supplied material.

Senators Stabenow, Peters voice concern over EPA spending freeze impact on Flint

U.S. senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters, and U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee, on Jan 24, sent a letter to President Trump asking him not to jeopardize much-needed federal funding for Flint following his directive to halt all Environmental Protection Agency grants and agreements. The lawmakers asked the President whether his decision applies to the funding Congress passed with strong, bipartisan support to help address the City of Flint’s drinking water crisis.

“We write to request clarity on a reported freeze imposed on all new Environmental Protection Agency grants and contracts, and in particular, to inquire as to whether this decision applies to the funding Congress approved with strong bipartisan support to help address the City of Flint’s drinking water crisis,” the lawmakers wrote, in supplied material.