When opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko was sworn in as Ukraine's president Sunday, Ball State graduate student Svitlana Kominko cried.
"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I still can't believe it really happened to us."
Kominko, who is from Ternopil in Western Ukraine, said she was proud she supported her country's democracy in December when she helped run a booth in the Atrium and collected $325 in donations to send overseas. The money provided food, medicine and clothing to fellow citizens who were protesting Ukraine's Nov. 21 presidential election.
Kominko said she got up at 5 a.m. Sunday to watch the inauguration celebration.
"I didn't want to miss it," she said.
Yushchenko addressed his supporters in Independence Square, where much of the protest took place last year, according to The Associated Press. Kominko heard the Ukrainian national anthem and saw orange balloons and doves fill the air, she said.
"It was a huge celebration. It was like a holiday for the whole nation," she said. "People were very happy. I actually felt that happy, even from here."
Kominko said she called her parents and relatives to celebrate with them and said she is glad the Ukrainian people got the democracy they fought tirelessly for.
"Finally we got our country's independence, and we got a president who understands the needs of ordinary people," she said.
Kominko said while it will take time for significant changes to be made throughout the country, she is proud Ukraine has a new sense of hope.
"This was probably the greatest advancement in Ukrainian history," Kominko said. "I think I will remember this day for the rest of my life."
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