So now it's the big day. I was scheduled to help set up at 6:30, so I get there around 6:20 because that's just how I am. There is a GIANT line that stretched to the end of the foyer, and this is a big foyer. I get my clearance to enter the ballroom that it was being held in, and manage to get through the eager fans that were there at 5. It was kind of crazy. We set up by putting all the little information things on every chair, all 600 of them. Help set up when necessary, and play the waiting game. It's now 7PM and it's getting down the hall. I help one of the guys with the group that partnered with us to get some more things. I help him in finding the best rout to his car to get the stuff. Since we're mostly Christian we prayed thanking God for this wonderful blessing and the turnout. It's now 7:30 and we're told we need to start letting people in because they're starting to loop around the hallway. 600 seated and 50 standing, after that we need to start turning people away. If security hadn't shown up, one of the other group guys and I were going to be the men of authority saying "no more, sorry." Thankfully security did show up, but I was ready if they didn't.
Now we're letting everyone in. The flood gates were opened and people started just flowing in, but we had a system. Fill the rows, as far as we could. After that move on to the next row. Near the end of seating when there weren't many visible seats left, I was the one who did the whole "alright so we're trying to fill every seat, no more saving seats, if it's empty it's open." I'm just standing up there going "where's a seat? If there's an open seat next to you raise your hand. Lets see them. Oh! There's one. Right over there. Come on raise them high. ect." Good thing I'm the kind of person who would do that. I'm playing with the mic a little but nothing to notice able I hope. Keeping it professional while still having some fun with it. When doing that you kind of need to.
Now after everyone was seated, they had note cards to ask questions with. I was one of the people who went around and picked up the questions from people. Getting ready and stuff. Now that we're all set, time for the main event.
I gathered with the Students for life members. We were all just kind of standing in one area. Our group president gave the introduction saying who we as Students For Life were and what not. Then the guy from Bethany, the group we partnered with, talked about themselves a little, and introduced Dawn, the adoption coach for Catelynn and Tyler. Dawn talked about the adoption process and introduced the videos to remind everyone who Catelynn and Tyler were, or let people like me who have never watched either 16 and Pregnant nor Teen Mom, know who they are. It was cool since they had an abridged episode of the 16 and Pregnant episode that gave the MTV version. After that, Catelynn and Tyler came out. They told their story from their perspectives and answered questions. The same questions that were collected from the audience earlier. There were ones that were left out because they weren't appropriate for the event. This is about adoption and how it's good for the child, instead of being murdered, I'm sorry, "aborted." Questions about the TV show or whatever were left out, as well as duplicates or similar. They were really entertaining. Even for someone who didn't know who they were until today.
After the questions they stayed on stage for 2 minutes for pictures and high fives. No one was allowed on stage, but just so people could get the up close picture for their facebook to say "yeah I was there." Once "we will be on stage for 2 minutes for pictures" was said, everyone just flooded to the stage. Just fwoosh. After that Catelynn was escorted off and to the exit that wasn't the one everyone else used. I said "Thanks for coming" on her way out and she thanked me for having her. Tyler on the other hand went right into the crowd. Maybe separate himself so that they could sort of split the mob or something, but my guess is he might have just been soaking it up and fending for himself. Either way he drew some of the mob off of Catelynn, so there was some gentlemanlyness about it. Once he was on his way out I said "thanks for coming." He also said "thanks for having me." I helped clean up afterwards.
As I stated earlier, I've never seen either 16 and Pregnant nor Teen Mom. If I'm going to watch a reality show it's going to be educational like American Pickers or Pawn Stars, or about a Pawn Shop that's not to far away from my house. I'm also just wary of a show called "16 and Pregnant." Like is it promoting teen pregnancy or something. The concept just doesn't sit to well with me. After seeing Catelynn and Tyler, I'll definitely need to check out their episode. It's great that they're pro-life and that for them abortion wasn't an option for them. And I know people who have adopted and it's made their lives so much better. Definitely a great message from them at least.
Now I can't quite remember when in the setting up it happened, but since our group was putting it on, we were able to get a picture with Catelynn and Tyler. Here is the one that I got on my camera.
I did get one with them with just me, but since my batteries were starting to fade, it flashed like it was taking, but didn't. Oh well. I was there, and with them in a picture. This was really cool. Well this has been Pokematic signing off and bu-bye.
