Parents let kids stay up past bedtime to witness history

By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

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Sen. Barack Obama at Washington High School

Three-year-old Jabril Braylock holds up a Barack Obama sign as he and his family wait for Sen. Barack Obama to enter the gymnasium at Washington High School. (Tribune photo/SANTIAGO FLORES)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 10, 2008 at 1:44 AM EST

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2008 at 2:09 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — It was well past 4-year-old Justin Smith’s bedtime, but Wednesday night wasn’t a normal night, after all.

Barack Obama was in town.

And that was enough of a reason for Mom, Edwina Smith, to wake him up from a nap and drive him to Washington High School to watch the presidential candidate speak.

"I wasn’t going to come at all," Smith said, "but he kept saying, ‘Are we going to come?’ I said, ‘OK, let’s go.’ "

Although Justin had no idea what he was witnessing, Smith said it was a good opportunity to spend the afternoon teaching her son the ABCs of politics.

"I started by showing him a map of the United States and went from there," Smith said with a laugh.

But joking aside, Smith knows it’s something her son will remember for the rest of his life.

"It’s history," she said. "This is too important to let pass us by."

Even though Obama’s speech didn’t start until after 10:30 p.m., that didn’t stop dozens of small children — and even babies, for that matter — from staying up hours past their bedtime to watch Obama speak to a capacity crowd.

"This is a history-making event," said Connie Hesiben, repeating a popular phrase expressed Wednesday night. "I’m making sure my grandsons are a part of this. They may never see anything like this the rest of their lives.

"They’re on spring break anyway, and both of them wanted to be a part of it."

Her grandson, 9-year-old Demetrius Wells, a McKinley Primary student, said he never enjoyed politics until Obama came along.

Now he’s hooked.

"This is a really big deal," Demetrius said. "I want Barack to be the first black president. I’ve been watching a lot of him on the news."

Obama is the son of a black father and a white mother.

Don Santana and his wife, Shaolin, loaded their three young children and niece into the car for the big show.

"Usually the kids would be in bed at this time," Santana said, "but this is too important, I didn’t want to miss the chance for them to see the next president."

Santana wasn’t the only one making predictions Wednesday night.

Ten-year-old Zechasia Slaughter is eyeing a Barack victory, as is Justin, who put two thumbs in the air when asked if Obama was going to win, before smiling and hiding behind mom.

"I like Barack," Zechasia said.

Whatever happens, it will be a night many youngsters won’t likely forget for a long time.

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