One of the Lucky 25: I Got Into the Dem Debate

Wow. Just wow. I do not know how else to describe my time at the Democratic Debate tonight.

Even though I first learned that I was one of the 25 UWM students to receive a ticket a week ago, through a lottery, I still had to pinch myself once I entered the debate hall tonight. I felt out of place, yet I knew I belonged there. Wisconsin state senators were seated in the rows both in front and behind me. The room definitely gave off a strong vibe of political showing.

One of the most incredible moments of the night was when Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton took the stage. Here are two political figures, whom I have only seen on television and the Internet, 30 feet in front of my eyes. I simply could not ascertain it. Just sitting back in my chair and listening them battle it out on issues that are crucial to our great nation on my college campus is something I will never forget.

Prior to leaving for the shuttle to go to the Zelazo Center, I had to grab a hat (because we live in Wisconsin). The hat I picked out was a vibrant green-and-gold Green Bay Packers hat. Once I was assigned my seat, I realized I was right behind the moderating table, which was on television throughout the night. I then decided to wear my hat throughout the debate, and it paid off, as I received numerous text messages from family and friends saying that they had spotted me.

Following the conclusion of the debate, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders took pictures with supporters and shook hands. Senator Sanders made his way down from the stage and began shaking the hands of those who desired to meet him. From where I was standing, I was roughly eight rows behind the action. I was leaning towards not risking any injury by trying to attempt to weave my way through the maze of people.

However, I then realized that this might be my only chance to shake Sanders’ hand. Who knows, he could become President one day, I thought to myself. I then took a deep breath and began the trek through the forest of onlookers. I had made it about 10 feet away from Bernie when all of a sudden, bam! A Secret Service agent plowed his way through me, throwing me off guard. Let me tell you, that was a force of power I never want to come face-to-face with ever again.

Despite the brush off from the agent, I continued my trek to Sanders. I outstretched my hand over the head of the person in front of me, trying to get his attention. He then saw my hand and shook it with a nice, firm shake which made my night.

Leaving the debate hall, I stopped and looked at the building I had just exited. I then turned back around and looked at the Student Union. I was in utter disbelief that an event of this magnitude and with this much national media attention occurred on our great campus of UW-Milwaukee. This is why I chose to come to Milwaukee. These kinds of events are what separate us from any other school in the state. For those reasons and many others, I am proud to call myself a UW-Milwaukee Panther. I cannot wait for other spectacular media opportunities I get while being a student here.