How I Got a Presidential Press Pass

How I Got a Presidential Press Pass My first presidential press pass deserved a selfie moment! As my senior year of college comes to a close, I have had to say goodbye to the activities I have become immersed in over the last four years. Amongst these activities is student journalism, something I have become particularly attached to. On campus, I am a reporter and editor for the Gettysburg College newspaper, the Gettysburgian, as well as the campus editor for Gettysburg’s branch of Uloop News. I love unearthing stories and crafting articles. My keyboard has been my window to the world. Regrettably, as I plan on pursing a career in veterinary medicine this will be the end of my journalism career for the near future. I am a bone-fide over achiever involved in far too many activities to list and as I get ready for the real world I have come to realize that it is time to start focusing on my career goals (scary stuff for all the seniors out there!).  As such, saying goodbye to reporting has been particularly bitter sweet. Nonetheless, I didn’t just want to say goodbye to journalism like I said goodbye to my other campus activities. I wanted to go out with a bang. I wrote double the stories I usually write and covered more than my normal range of topics. But I wanted something more. I wanted to find a hard hitting story that would get people talking. When presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders announced he was coming to Gettysburg I knew I had found my story! In preparation for the Pennsylvania primaries Senator Sanders made his way to the Gettysburg campus to share the “Bern” with the Burg residents. When the email with the announcement went out to the Gettysburg campus, the Facebook chat my other newspaper editors share immediately blew up. For a small campus that hasn’t seen much action since the Battle of Gettysburg ended in 1863, I knew something exciting must have been happening when my phone began pinging out of control. Immediately, questions began to raise over who would get a coveted press pass to cover the event. As sports editor, my chance at getting that press pass was about as far from reality as Donald Trump becoming the Republican nomineeâ€"oh wait that did happen! But I wasn’t letting that stop me. I emailed the campaign directly and waited for my response. My hopes began to sink as the event drew closer and my fellow editors shared their excitement over receiving their security clearance and press passes to represent their various other roles on campus. When I woke up on Friday morning the day of the event, however, I was presently surprised by a confirmation email guaranteeing me a press passâ€"a real press pass! My Rory Gilmore journalism dream had been fulfilled! I was being given exclusive access to cover a real event â€" a national news story â€" and I wasn’t just getting clearance from the college but from the Secret Service and a Presidential campaign press secretary! My adventure didn’t stop there. The event began in the afternoon with the last admittance time for press at 1:30 p.m. Unfortunately for me, as this is the end of the school year, Friday was also the day to hang the photos for my Art Studio senior project. I finished hanging the photos at 1:10 p.m. Giving me just 20 minutes to print my newspaper credentials, grab my camera, and make my way over to the gym. As I arrived at the event I had just 3 minutes to spare. I approached the side doors only to be turned away by two police officers and a Secret Service agent. I was told the gym was filled and the doors were shut. I walked away in dismay. In a panic, somewhere from deep down inside of me, came a very assertive version of myself that I haven’t seen before and I doubt I’ll see again any time soon. I walked right back up to the police officer and insisted I must be allowed in as I had a pre-approved press pass. I waived my badge at the officer and asserted my right as a journalist under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. With 1 minute left to spare I was told I could try the backdoor of the gym but only if I went two blocks around following the barricade. I ran as fast as I could in and made it just in time. The glorious “media entrance” sign was like a beacon of hope at the end of my tunnel! I walked in and was handed my press pass after confirming my ID. If this isn’t the coolest thing you’ve seen you are seriously lacking common sense. My Bernie Sanders and Gettysburgian press pass. I was then patted down by two Secret Service agents as another agent took apart my camera. The Secret Service security check in. And then I was home free! I was directed down a media only hallway and the fun began. The press ONLY entrance. As I entered the gym looking up at the crowd of fellow students and town residents I realized I had the spot everyone wanted. I was at ground level with a roped off section giving me access to all sides of the stage so I could get the best coverage possible. It was a real media event and for once I was being treated like being a reporter mattered. Up close and personal with the candidate himself. I found a central spot right between the Washington Post and NBC teams. National news reporters gearing up for the event. My view was perfect and I had access to all the tools I needed. The campaign press secretary whirled about making sure all of the reporters had the information they required. Center stage at the Bernie Sanders town hall. All that was left was to wait for the candidate himself. The crowd was pumped with enthusiasm. They felt the Bern! The Gettysburg crowd showing their Bernie support. And Bernie didn’t disappoint! He hit home with the college aged demographic notorious for supporting his campaign. The man, the legend, Senator Bernie Sanders. It was a magical journalism experience all around. I even capped the day off by grabbing myself a Birdie Sanders button, even if I’m not a supporter myself. Vendors set up to sell Bernie gear outside the gym. The most popular item? A Birdie Sanders button! So my journalism career came to an end with a bang. I’ve climbed up the ranks of the campus newspaper from paper delivery girl to editor. It has been a marvelous journey worthy of all the late nights, eleventh-hour stories, and panicked texts for last-minute quotes. I’ve become a better writer, team-player, and editor. The skills I have learned will aid me in whatever job I end up in. But more important, the moments and people I have met along the way will be something I cherish for the rest of my life! Signing off for now but not forever! -Bethany