ANDERSON - Snaking in, out and beyond the Anderson High School parking lot, people slowly seeped into the wooden seats of the Wigwam, Anderson High School's gymnasium, to catch a glimpse of the next possible president.
Blue signs and matching shirts littered the crowd of Hillary Clinton supporters throughout the stands, as everyone from senior citizens, union workers, college students waited restlessly for the show to start despite a 45-minute delay.
When the senator came onto the stage, she was bombarded with camera flashes and an active electricity seemed to go through many in the room: this one could be different.
Many were excited because this year marked the first election in 40 years that the May 6th Indiana primary will matter to Indiana Democrats. The remaining eyes and thoughts seemed to be focused on Clinton's remarks on stage.
"They've been telling me about the Wigwam for a while now," Clinton said to the eager crowd. "I am glad I am finally here."
Jobs and the economy seemed to be the No. 1 issues on the minds of those in attendance.
When Clinton asked for questions, almost half of the 5,000 people raised their hands. The majority of those hands the senator called upon were union workers.
Their concerns were well acknowledged as Clinton's speech came one day following Indiana becoming listed among the states that had the most newly laid-off workers apply for unemployment benefits.
Ray Jones, 59, of Anderson said the job loss was hard to ignore around the city.
"If you look around at people, it kind of stands out," Jones said. "Something needs to be done to help these people."
Ball State students took the opportunity to hear Clinton speak in the half-filled gym.
Junior Travis Schilla, who asked Clinton about her stance on same-sex marriage, said Indiana should vote for the New York senator.
"I think she is important to Indiana because of manufacturing and NAFTA," Schilla said. "Also, I think college students should like her because of her wanting to improve the Pell Grant and redo student loans."
As Clinton wrapped up, the diverse crowd stepped down to shake hands with the person they all came to see. Along with the crowd of people, a homemade green sign was lifted above the sea of heads. Drawn with a marker in little detail was a flower sprouting from the ground. The text above it was a simple message: Come on Hillary, we need you.
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