At least two mothers sat with their children in the Sadler Arts Academy’s auditorium Tuesday morning to watch a closed-circuit broadcast of President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, school secretary Beverly Dorn dabbed a tear from her eye during Obama’s speech “because my father is not alive to see this.”

Sadler students, some parents and staff gathered in the auditorium to watch what students agreed was a history-making event.

“He’s a famous president, the first African-American president,” fourth-grader Jose Cervantes said. “We’re learning that he’s living in a big, white house.”

Classmate Travon Hughes said he thinks Obama will be a great president.

Sadler students seemed to agree, breaking into cheers when Obama was shown on the big screen. Some said “amen” after the Rev. Rick Warren closed his inauguration invocation with the Lord’s Prayer. When Obama said “God bless America” at the end of his inaugural speech, one student said, “God bless you, Obama.”

“It was the best speech,” fifth-grader Jaelyn Smith said. “He talked about freedom for everyone, not just one group, but everyone coming together.”

Classmate Bridgett Williamson said, “He’s against racism, and he’s against violence.”

Classmate Autumn Hernandez said she learned Obama “is trying to spread money through the world, like through taxes.”

Patricia Gibbs, a disabled veteran who is expecting a baby in three weeks, was escorted through the dark auditorium to sit by her daughter, fifth-grader Sierra Laney.

“I want to share this historic moment with my daughter,” Gibbs said. “We’re excited because this is a historic event happening right here.”

Sierra shushed her mother and said, “He hasn’t given his speech yet.”

Joy Nelson, mother of second-grader Riley Nelson, said she went to the school Tuesday because, “I wanted my son to understand how important this is.”

Dorn tearfully watched the inauguration from her desk in the Sadler office.

“It’s touching me,” she said during Obama’s speech. “I’m sad because my father is not here to see this. My father helped fight for what Obama is talking about. Equality. He wanted to see that right here in Muskogee.”

Dorn’s father was the Rev. J.A. Reed, a Muskogee pastor for more than 40 years.

Dorn recalled watching some pre-inauguration festivities.

“I was telling my two children that this was happening because of their grandpa,” she said. “It is so wonderful seeing everyone come together for this.”