One of the best figure skaters in United States history, Michelle Kwan, visited towns across the state of Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week to advocate voting for Hillary Clinton before the presidential race that will be taking place on Tuesday, November 8th. Over 400 Luther College students took advantage of the satellite early voting on campus on Tuesday, only one week before the primary elections of 2016. Kwan visited the Farwell eighth floor lounge on the Luther College campus at 4 p.m., Tuesday the 25th to share with a crowd of about 50 people the importance of voting in this election.

Kwan shared her reasons as to why she thinks Clinton is the best candidate. As she discussed how she was a little girl with a dream of being a figure skater, and the ability to pursue it in this country, she stated that she believes Hillary can “ensure that the next generation can see that American Dream…. I saw firsthand her leadership and vision, fighting for women, children, and families”. After Kwan retired from skating 10 years ago, she decided that she wanted to “make a difference and build on the highest honor: representing [my] country” and went to school for political science and international relations.

Kwan also discussed how she believes that Trump is not the best candidate for president. She discussed the “Trump effect”, which is full of “dangerous, divisive rhetoric”. She claimed that Trump has made his campaign only about himself and his ideas, whereas Clinton stands for women’s rights and human rights for all.

Hillary Clinton definitely chose a great person to come to my school, especially because it is the first election that I have voted in. I had been a figure skater for years as a child, and I still closely follow the sport and appreciate its beauty. Michelle Kwan was at the peak of her career when I was just getting interested in skating. She was my idol and inspiration, and she made me believe that if I am determined, I can accomplish great things. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to the hope and persistence that I had gained from my figure skating idol, Michelle Kwan, when I was young. Kwan made history because of her hard work. She is one of the most famous female athletes of the late '90s to early 2000s, and was an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of young girls everywhere.

Though Hillary Clinton has been accused of playing the “woman card”, I would venture to say that this isn’t necessarily a “card”, but more of a, “hey, this is how I can start changing the future for women” stance. As I think of how Kwan inspired me as a little girl, I also think of all of the young girls in 2016 who are looking for someone to inspire them. There are pop stars, athletes, teachers, and movie stars who these girls can aspire to be some day, but the thing that they haven’t been able to do just yet is to be able to dream about being the president of one of the greatest countries in our world.

Though I had already voted by the time that I saw Michelle Kwan, I was definitely inspired by her sentiments that really touched me personally. I see the importance of this election, and the effect it will have on my future and my children's’ futures. Though one vote is only one vote, know that your one vote does count. Your opinion matters.

Before Kwan left, she allowed some students to interview her, and luckily I got to sit down and chat with her. Before she left, she told us that she is hoping for “a day where a father can say to his daughter that she can be anything she wants… women can do it too.”

Make sure you get out and VOTE tomorrow. It doesn’t matter to me who you vote for. If you don’t vote, then you are saying that your opinion doesn’t matter. If you are concerned that you don’t know how to vote, here is an easy link that will tell you how to vote in your state. If you are a college student, you can most likely vote in either state that you live in (as long as you are registered to vote in only one state).

This election is too close for you to not cast your ballot. Make sure to encourage your friends, colleagues, co-workers, and family to vote, too. And proudly wear that “I Voted” sticker -- being able to have a voice in your country is a right that should be celebrated.