St. Joseph-Ogden alumni Allie Place was one of the 944 lucky students who got to see former President Barack Obama speak on Friday morning at Foellinger Auditorium.
Place said she entered the lottery for tickets after receiving a mass email from the University of Illinois where she is a freshman.
“I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I just happened to get lucky,” she said. “I was surprised, I didn’t actually think I’d get a seat.”
Place said she was sitting in the middle aisle close to where the U of I administrators and elected officials were sitting.
“Seating wasn’t assigned so I just got lucky again,” she said.
Place said the atmosphere in the auditorium was energetic but also anxious. She said many of those in attendance were waiting for over an hour and some used the time to try and get photos with or of the other politicians in attendance including Senator Dick Durbin.
Homer resident and University of Illinois employee Jillian Weathers also got a ticket to see Obama speak.
Weathers works for the Office for University Relations for the U of I System.
Weathers was able to place her name on a list in case seats opened up. She was told at 8:45 a.m. that she had a ticket.
“I screamed and said, ‘On my way,” Weathers said. “I immediately left my office and booked it to Alice Campbell on Lincoln (to get the ticket).”
Weathers said she is a huge fan of Obama and didn’t let the rain dampen her spirits.
“I was on a mission,” she said.
Weathers said the atmosphere in the auditorium was one of excitement.
“He came in and received a standing ovation,” she said. “I think everyone was in awe and there was constant clapping and you would hear some people say “yes and “that’s right” when he was bringing up important points.”
Place said she was impressed by Obama’s humor. He opened his speech by joking about his agricultural knowledge.
“It’s good to see corn, beans. I was trying to explain to somebody as we were flying in, that’s corn,” he said. “That’s beans. They were very impressed at my agricultural knowledge.”
He also joked about why he declined an invitation to give the graduation address in 2017 saying, “I hear there was speculation that I was boycotting campus until Antonio’s pizza reopened. So I want to be clear. I did not take sides in that late-night food debate.”
Jokes aside, much of Obama’s speech focused on the importance of people participating in our democracy and he implored those in attendance to vote in November’s mid-term elections.
“Now, some of you may think I’m exaggerating when I say this November’s elections are more important than any I can remember in my lifetime,” Obama said. “I know politicians say that all the time. I have been guilty of saying it a few times, particularly when I was on the ballot. But just a glance at recent headlines should tell you that this moment really is different. The stakes really are higher. The consequences of any of us sitting on the sidelines are more dire.”
Weathers described the speech as empowering.
“It was about getting out to vote and how to make a difference,” she said. “We can change what is going on by getting out there in November.”
Weathers said Obama also spoke about women being empowered and running for office, which she appreciated.
Weathers said she could tell the students were happy and grateful to be there.
“His speech was to lift us up and encourage that we do something about the political climate we are experiencing because if it continues our country will continue to get worse,” she said.
Place said she agreed with Obama’s message of the importance of being active participants in our democracy.
“If we want to change the world, then we need to know what is going on in it,” she said.
Place did stress that her view on politics wasn’t formed just because she saw Obama speak. Instead, she referenced an SJO teacher.
“I have felt that was since having Mr. Schacht for civics and Econ at SJO,” she said.
Weathers said she thought the message Obama was delivering was important. She said she wasn’t involved in politics until six or seven years ago when her boss was appointed to the Illinois House and eventually went on to win a seat in the Illinois Senate. She worked as a legislative assistant for a year and said she learned a lot about the system and the importance of people participating in our democracy.
“We need to vote and elect those to powerful positions that actually want to help the average American which will make things better for the country as a whole,” she said.
