I love to travel, but there is something special about the great city of Philadelphia. It is a place so rich with history, culture and amazing food that there was no doubt in my mind Philly was a perfect choice for the Democratic National Convention. The whole city came together for this once in a lifetime event, and I loved seeing all the decorations and support Philly showed for the Convention. I never thought I would get to attend the DNC when it hit our town last week. But, on July 26, I was there. I got to be part of history and I am so happy I had this opportunity.

I went to Philly that day after being in court in New Jersey for my summer internship with the State of New Jersey Division of Law and Public Safety. I was meeting my mom at Independence Hall to continue participating in the Donkeys Around Town Challenge and was also hoping to score some DNC merchandise. We watched as Hillary Clinton became the first woman to become a major party presidential nominee from Independence Mall, an area so rich with history. It was truly surreal.

Afterwards, we went to an official DNC store to get some Hillary buttons before grabbing some cheesesteaks. Due to my mom and I being overly enthusiastic about Hillary’s nomination and our love for the Clintons, the store owner kindly offered us three free passes to attend that night’s Convention and hear Bill Clinton speak. My jaw hit the floor. I immediately called my sister, Marissa, and fellow Temple Law student, Eric Schreiber, to join me for the night.

When we got to the Wells Fargo Center, I could feel the excitement in the air. The whole area was filled with proud Democrats and decorated to make the building emanate blue. When we stepped inside the entrance, we immediately noticed radio stations and news organizations tables set up everywhere, with reporters scurrying around to quickly update the world on the happenings of the Convention.  The building was packed as people were quickly rushing to find seats to hear the “prime time speakers.”                       

The first speaker we heard was celebrity Elizabeth Banks, who talked about how she has been captivated by Hillary Clinton since hearing her speak at a rally in 1992. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright warned of the dangers of a Trump presidency and showed the power of women in America. As more speakers delivered compelling words on the importance of this year’s vote, volunteers distributed signs and posters to the crowds. We were given large placards that read “America” and, I knew it was time for Bill.

“The spirit in the room was one of hope for a promising future and an overwhelming sense of pride in this country.”

When President Clinton walked on stage, you could feel the energy in the room. The crowds went wild. Everyone jumped out of their seats and cheered to hear from the man who could very well be the first “First Gentleman of the United States”. He is a masterful storyteller who reminded us how he met Hillary Rodham in law school. Bill even joked that you could just “sign up” for law review- if only it was still that easy! I listened to the story of how Bill won over Hillary’s heart, and the story of how they raised Chelsea to have strong family values and know that a woman can do anything a man can. It was incredible.

By this point in the Convention, crowds started to exit the stadium. Because of this, the three of us got to sit in the lower seats where the delegates usually sit. There were lots of cool Donkey hats and creative signs the delegates left behind in their seat from earlier in the day. It was from this spot on the Convention floor I heard Alicia Keys sing and watched as Hillary Rodham Clinton broke through the virtual glass ceiling.

There are truly no words to describe the feeling and emotion that surrounded the room when Hillary Clinton appeared on the screen. I was standing by Diane Guerrero, an actress most well-known for Orange Is the New Black, whose family was deported to Colombia. She began to cry as Hillary spoke to the crowd, as many others around us also did.  The spirit in the room was one of hope for a promising future and an overwhelming sense of pride in this country.

I am proud to be an American, where a young girl can dream of being a lawyer, a doctor, an actress, a chef and now even President of the United States. I went to law school to help people, to ensure justice is served, and make a difference in the lives of others. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Convention showed me that my dreams are possible because “when there are no ceilings, the sky is the limit.”