Sen. Bernie Sanders will take part in Thursday's Democratic presidential debate from Miami. You can read more about the debate here. This story is from Sanders' 2016 Santa Maria campaign rally, which was held at Santa Maria High School, and was originally published in the May 29, 2016, edition of the Santa Maria Times. The time elements have not been updated.

Over 7,500 people packed into the Ralph Baldiviez Stadium at Santa Maria High School Saturday afternoon to vocalize their support for Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

Supporters began lining up at the Thornburg Street gate at the break of dawn, hoping to reserve a good seat, although the senator wasn't supposed to make it to the rally until early afternoon.

Michelle Shapiro, of Orcutt, said that she'd been patiently waiting in line at the gate since 8 a.m.

"I'm just so excited to show my support at the rally today," she said. "I can't believe Bernie Sanders is going to be speaking to the little town here in Santa Maria, and here's hoping for him to get ahead of Hillary."

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Shapiro said she supported the senator's promises on making college education free for students and push for universal healthcare.

"I myself have been lucky to get healthcare, but there are so many others who aren't as lucky," she said.