Very few times throughout an individual's life do they meet celebrities, unless they live in highly populated cities such as New York or Los Angeles. But when I was in 5th grade in the small town of Janesville, Wisconsin I met a celebrity. His name was Paul Ryan, who would later be the opposing candidate for Vice President of the United States in 2012, and the current Speaker of the House of Representatives.
I remember very few details of this day when Paul Ryan came to my elementary school. I was only in 5th grade and to be completely honest. I didn't care. I didn't know who this Paul Ryan was at first. But he was very kind, considerate, and I remember thinking that this is who I wanted to represent me one day despite my political views. So of course when he ran with Mitt Romney in 2012, I had called it for 8 years.
This man was the definition of strong. He had gone through tough trials in his life just like everybody else in this world, but he did so with class and utmost grace. He explained these trials and tribulations and how they pushed him to be the best version of himself. He told us how he got his determination from his father who he found passed away after a heart attack in high school, and how he knew from that moment on that he would live his life for his father.
I shook his hand and I thanked him for being such an iconic symbol in the state of Wisconsin and in the country. At the time I met him, he was only one of Wisconsin's Representatives in the House. He actually grew up in Janesville which is the town I am from, and he took time out of his busy schedule to come talk to little 5th graders. That just shows how special of a person he is. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet him and hear his life experiences. #Ryan2020