UM students wait in line for Obama tickets

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Hundreds of college students have scored seats to hear the commander-in-chief speak after waiting in line for hours.

Jethro Cessant held his ticket and beamed, Wednesday morning. "This is the highlight of my year," he said, "and it's senior year, and I'm about to graduate, and this is the highlight, and I will remember this forever."

At about 8:30 a.m., tickets were handed out to several University of Miami students eager to see President Obama. The President is scheduled to speak at the Fieldhouse at UM on Thursday.

Kaaran Singh walked out with his ticket held high. "Ten hours later, baby," he said. "I knew it was possible. I knew it. It was worth it."

On Tuesday night, numerous students began lining up for the free event. They camped out overnight with their laptops, textbooks, blankets and some snacks.

Charline Quenee and her friends were the first in line. "All day, we've been walking by and checking, 'OK, nobody's in line, nobody's in line,' and then, we decided we would grab food and then come sit in line, and the second we got in line, about 50 other people came right behind us," she said.

Students said they recently found out about the President's engagement at their school, and they are unsure how many tickets will be made available.

UM student Deandre Louis is excited about President Obama's visit to his school. "I think this is really huge to have him actually here on campus," said Louis, "and I can't let this opportunity pass by."

Though the wait for tickets lasted hours, some did not mind. "It's not really any different than being in the dorms. We're still being productive, we're just not sleeping in our room anymore," joked Steven Levine.

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