by Elissa Manalo
This past weekend I attended my first ever CPAC! I have always wanted to attend the Conference, and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to share it with the CBLPI team. I am so thankful for all of the skills I have learned with CBLPI and all of the resources they've provided me with, CPAC being the most exciting and informative. Here are a few highlights from my weekend:
CBLPI’s Woman of the Year Luncheon
It was inspiring to hear Congressman Marsha Blackburn speak on how young women can make a difference in the conservative movement, using her personal experience as an example. I enjoyed helping set up for the event and meeting other passionate young women in the movement.
Reuniting With Old Friends
It's always a great time with these two conservative powerhouses! Emily Hensler and Elisa Seegmiller have been great YAF buddies of mine for years now, and it was so nice to reunite and hear of all of the great activism they're spreading on their campuses and in their home states!
Meeting Peggy Grande
Being the Reagan-loving person that I am, naturally, my heart was overjoyed when I met Peggy Grande (Reagan's post-presidency executive assistant). She shared with me stories of Ronald Reagan the man, not just the President, and that was priceless.
Glenn Beck
Beck delivered one of the greatest and most inspiring speeches I have ever heard and I was lucky enough to hear it live in the front row, opposed to on TV or via computer. Also, he pointed at me. Enough said.
I realize now that I should have taken more pictures, but I think I was too busy soaking it all in.
Thank you, CBLPI, for giving me this incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait for CPAC 2017!
Elissa is a Spring 2016 intern at CBLPI.