With all dramatic intents and purposes aside, I can completely and honestly say that my life has recently changed. Technically, the start of the good news came a couple days prior, but President Obama’s Rally at USC on October 22nd, 2010 meant more to me than I ever thought a political commemoration would.
Although staying up until 1:44 am is not abnormal in my daily regimen, it’s not common for me to wake up before daylight at 5:15 am to volunteer and then present an opening speech for our seated President of the United States. So it all makes sense to feel a sudden compulsion to start writing about my once-in-a-life time experience while the adrenalin is still pumping through my mind and body.
I’m not sure exactly who will read this, aside from the people I send this to whom I think might be interested, but I figured I should write it all down so I won’t forget every facet that happened. Though I doubt that will happen any time soon, it’s always a challenge to try to document something so momentous into words.
So now it’s time for me to do a little reflection, something I wasn’t mentally able to do while on stage. And as I’m curled up on my bed listening to some calming Yiruma, I can’t help but feel slightly emotional, overwhelmed, and curiously anxious even as I look back on the whole experience in hindsight.
I might as well start off with how it all happened so as to keep my mind from running wild. Last Thursday, October 14th, I met with three members from the Organizing for America campaign team to discuss how I could easily disseminate the news to students across the university. Our Helenes advisor, Heather Larabee, selected me as one of the approximately 10 student leaders to meet with them and, due to some luck, I was able to meet with them first. In appropriate Helenes fashion, I welcomed them to the university. With my suggestions and explanation of our organization as the official hostesses of Helenes, I guess I made some impact…
Since then, I had been communicating with Lars Thorn, one of the OFA organizers, all throughout the next week outlining the Helenes responsibilities, coordinating training sessions, and establishing what role we played during the big day. On Wednesday, October 20th, I carried through with my typical Helenes responsibilities of printing out the agendas and directing the standard hour-long meeting. Keep in mind that Wednesdays are always my comforting times, that go-to day of the week when I know I’ll get to see my Helenes and Rosebuds who not only make up a huge part of my friends, but also my family. That, in itself, makes Wednesdays priceless.
After the meeting, I prepared and expected for 2 classes from 3:30 pm – 9:30 pm straight. And although I still would have never anticipated the news that I was about to hear later that night, having 1 class entirely canceled and the other ending 1 ½ hours early (with the quiz postponed as well) helped make that day even more unusually uplifting.
So I used that extra time to work on homework, watch Glee with the roommates, and eat dinner. Then I took a break and drove with my friend, Alex, through the McDonald’s drive through, when Lars called me with news that, even now, keeps me mesmerized.
He said, “Hey Ashlie! I have some exciting news for you.” He sounded quite calm.
“Me?” I asked, confused and simultaneously intrigued.
“Yeah! Are you nervous?”
“Nope. Just excited!” I think I recall a slight chuckle escaping in between those words.
“I was told that we need a student to present the opening speech for President Obama’s Rally on Friday and I said I knew the perfect person.”
I’m positive that Lars said much more than that with some other explanations as to the content of the speech, what to expect, and other parameters of the event, but everything started to blur. All I could manage to repeat was, “Me?” needing affirmation that what he said did in fact come from the same person on the other end of the line. At this time, I was pacing around the McDonald’s parking lot since I abruptly left the car…probably looking foolish.
Fast forward through the speech writing, microphone checks, and volunteer site walkthroughs to Friday morning at 5:15 am when it was pitch black outside and drizzling. Hoping that it wouldn’t stay misty all day, I volunteered with my fellow Helenes from 6-9:30 am and waited for further instructions until about 12:15 pm when it was show time.
After Mayor Villaraigosa kicked off the rally, he introduced his cousin, California Assembly Speaker, John Perez. This was it. After Speaker Perez’s speech, I was honored that he addressed me with an introduction that, according to my roommates, was amazing and extremely thoughtful (something about exemplifying leadership at USC…). But my senses were shut-off for a brief moment before walking up to the podium. Everything seemed to glaze over me to the point where the words just echoed those of Charlie Brown’s iconic teacher and the thousands of faces in the crowd just appeared to be dots. When I heard my name, that was the cue. And I went.
From what I heard from later feedback, I think the speech went as according to plan, with the appropriate pauses and emphases, tone of voice, rate of pace, and enunciation that I practiced. Before public speeches, my hands usually feel slightly clammier and I can detect a sudden, irregular jolt in my heartbeat. But this time, I felt nothing, which turned out to be absolutely perfect and exactly what I needed. I felt no doubt, no apprehension.
But the most incredible part of my experience was the intangible emotions I felt even for those few, short minutes. I know that I’ll never get the chance to speak again for 37,500+ people, on the steps of Doheny Library on my university’s campus, as the one representative of over 33,000+ undergraduate and graduate students, with more press and secret service than I could have ever imagined, standing alongside Senator Barbara Boxer, Jamie Foxx, Jerry Brown, Grammy-award winning band Ozomatli, Kal Penn, and opening for our current President of the United States. I knew I had to drink in every single moment.
Though the coordinators kept mentioning that this was a party of history, it didn’t really sink in until after I walked back to the bleachers behind President Obama. I undoubtedly had the time of my life, but this was a moment I seriously needed to internalize before I could jump up and down like I normally do. I guess this is the result. The verdict: this was one of the best, most memorable and inspiring moments of my life.
Hearing President Obama speak in person, being in such proximity, and shaking his hand was absolutely surreal. It’s difficult for any individual to command respect without asking for or demanding it. But now I know, first hand and in person, that as soon as he opens his mouth to speak, it’s hard not to respect him as our leader.
There are a few people who I want to give a special thanks to, regardless of whether this is read or not, but their impact meant more to me than I could have possibly fathomed.
To the USC Helenes – You girls are my rock. I can’t describe into comprehensible words how much you all mean to me. Your continuous optimism, heartfelt words, and undying support complement how gracious, poised, and beautiful you are. Everyone on the OFA campaign team appreciated your generous time and energy and I can only hope that your experience was nothing less than amazing. You all totally deserve it and they recognized it. I hope you know that you make a big difference to the university and, now even more so than ever, the entire country and planet. You exemplify what it means to be the future of change and I’m inspired by each and every one of you.
To my parents – I love you both so incredibly much and I appreciate you not only being there for me at the rally, but also showing your support and dealing with all the craziness that ensued over these last few, short days. Getting up so early, playing phone tag all morning, waiting for hours, and dealing with claustrophobia was no easy feat, I’m sure. I’ve known for a long time now that parents know best, but this is another one of those first-hand experiences that make that true…I’m pretty sure you know what I’m referring to. Oh yeah, and I’m sorry for keeping you in suspense for so long.
To my sister, Stacie – I wish you could’ve been there, especially since I know how politically savvy you are. I think you would’ve appreciated all of the speeches, seeing how the media functioned, and just all of the details that are required to make an event such as this run without a hitch. Thanks for taking the time to provide input with the speech, even though you were in the middle of moving heavy boxes!
To my friends and family – You guys are the best! I can’t thank you enough for your messages, texts, chats, e-mails, calls, and thoughts all throughout the day. You are so considerate and there aren’t sufficient words to capture the magnitude of how much I appreciate everything you’ve done. The cheers did not go unnoticed and it’s people like you who make our country what it is. I wasn’t lying when I said that my peers keep me going. Special thanks to all the people who listened to me practice the speech to the point of monotony: Alex Hoang, Kelly Coble, Richie Pizano, Dayna Walker, Kimberly Newberry, Lauren Rowe, Bridget Ward, and more.
And last but not least: to Lars Thorn – When you told me that political events and rallies cause emotional roller coasters from all the tiny details to last-minute preparations, I knew you weren’t kidding. Johanna explained to me later that when you were about to tell me the news, she said, “Aren’t you excited? You’re going to change this girl’s life!” Then you told me that my enthusiasm and excitement inspired you again. But in reality, you were the one who changed my life with the most remarkable experience that I will never forget. I can’t thank you or express my gratitude enough, because I can’t iterate it in words. Your optimistic and genuinely joyful personality is enough motivation to keep every member of the rally just as upbeat. Thanks for all the accommodations, returned phone calls, and overall sincerity. Good luck with everything you do! I know I’m going to hear, see, or read about you in the news soon.
I’ve learned so much within the past week. More than I could have ever even anticipated. I hope I made my friends, family, peers, teachers, advisors, and USC, as a whole, proud.
I know that I am certainly proud to be an American. So I hope to continue to spread the message that summed up my purpose in the rally: vote. No matter your age, nationality, or socioeconomic status, just vote. Don’t let others speak for you. And don’t ever underestimate how much power you have to change and make an impact on the world. I definitely did, but this experience played a huge part in convincing me otherwise.
Speech: 10/22/10
Good afternoon fellow Trojans and neighbors of the Los Angeles community.
There are few opportunities in one’s lifetime where we can turn our heads and see thousands of individuals around us united in support of one cause. A cause that is tied to our civic duty and a cause that is for the betterment of our country.
As the President of the USC Helenes, the official hostesses of the university, and on behalf of the students, I’d like to welcome you all to the University of Southern California. It is truly an honor to be speaking at this celebration commemorating our right to elect our leaders and to share a stage with President Barack Obama, the leader we chose in 2008. There is no doubt in my mind that USC offers the best education to be found in our nation. And the encouragement I get from teachers, administrators, and peers to participate in our nation’s democracy enriches me now and keeps me striving for a better country and a better future.
No matter where we come from, we’re all here together with priceless opportunities that should never be taken for granted. At America’s core is the right to vote, and it’s so important for us to remember that not everyone on this planet has that same right. Indeed, we need to remember that not only is voting a right, but it is also a privilege.
Our nation is a model for democracy. And our nation will remain a model of democracy only if you keep it that way. Only you have control over your beliefs, your voice, your vote.
This November 2nd marks a responsibility. You and I will be making crucial choices at the ballot box and we must support our leaders to continue to make progress for Los Angeles residents. To ensure our nation’s prosperity at home and abroad. And to continually strive for more. Because anything less than that would be an injustice to America and to its people.
So, if we continue to turn our heads to our neighbors with the unspoken agreement that “Yes, we can make a difference. We can make a difference together,” we can vote to turn this abstract idea of change into a tangible reality.
My fellow students, the future is truly up to you. And knowing the USC community, I have no doubt that WE will be the ones who keep this country moving forward.
Thank you and Fight On!
Live Speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q99gExSJs0s
