POLAND – High schoolers in Poland watched Barack Obama become president over cluttered lunch trays, gathering in the lunch room or picnicking in classrooms.

Over their pizza, they watched history.

“That was pretty cool,” 16-year-old Carissa Noyes of Minot said as Obama completed his oath of office. “I’m all warm and bubbly inside.”

Not everyone felt that way, though. Eighteen-year-olds watched the only president they’d known since they were 10 begin his journey back to Texas. And some watched with a hint of challenge for their new leader.

“You have to hope he does well, even if he’s not your pick,” said Sable Sanborn, a junior from Poland.

In teacher Dan Novak’s government class, students watched the TV with lights dimmed. As Obama challenged people to show courage, the advance placement students watched quietly. One checked her cell phone under her desk.

Once his speech finished, no one said anything. Cam Woodford, a sophomore from Minot, clapped softly.

“I was really happy,” he said a few minutes later. “I can’t think of anything George Bush has done that was positive.”

Already, Obama pleased him with calls for a more unified world.

“You kind of feel more humble,” Woodford said.

The election drew lots of interest across the school, students said. Most seemed to support Obama. Almost all wanted change.

“I’m ready for a change,” said Adele Allocca, a senior from Poland who supported McCain. She said she felt the history of the inauguration as she watched the TV images of so many people filling Washington.

For some, history was overrated.

“It’s not a big thing for me,” said Joey Davie, a senior from Poland. Above him, a TV flickered with faces of Obama, Bush, Clinton and Aretha Franklin.

Teacher Kenneth Chutchian tried to get his class interested. Many, including Noyes, had written advice letters to Obama.

“This is huge,” Chutchian said. “This is one of those where-were-you moments.”

Davie refused to buy it.

“It happens every four years,” he said.