To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Dozens gathered Monday in the lobby of Hunter College to watch a woman they consider one of their own take the first steps to becoming a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

"It is with great pride that my colleagues join with you with all of you today to witness yet another New York woman make history and help our country move forward," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

"I've been looking forward to this day since she was 15 years old. I think she's been on this type of course all her academic life," said Kagan family friend Sally Goodgold.

Elena Kagan attended both Hunter College Elementary School and Hunter College High School before going on to Princeton and Harvard Law. Her mother graduated from Hunter College and taught at the elementary school. Her brother teaches at the high school now.

Goodgold, who has known the Kagan family for decades, says Kagan has always held the Hunter schools close to her heart.

"People talk about a lot about 'Oh I went to Princeton, I went to Harvard, Yale.' But Elena talks about 'I went to Hunter.' I think that's the wonderful part about it. That was the basis of her education," Goodgold said.

Hunter College President Jennifer Raab knew Kagan at Hunter College High and at Harvard Law. She says this is a big day for the Hunter College community.

"We want to send a message whether they be Kindergarten students or college or graduate students, if you work hard if you focus on your dreams, they can come true," Raab said.

Current students at Hunter College High School also attended the viewing party. They say Kagan's nomination dominated talk on campus for the past month and say she has served as an inspiration to many students.

"I don't think we had a real role model until now. But now seeing someone from our high school go this far is definitely inspiring and has made me consider going into law, it never occurred to me before now," said one student.

While there were a lot of people in the lobby at the beginning of the viewing party, there were only a handful by the time Kagan spoke several hours later.

"Hunter is seeming to be in the public's eye a lot more lately, and when it's associated with academic achievement and service to the country, it fits very well with a public college," said Hunter College alumna Christine Dobush.

Everyone who attended the viewing party said Kagan has made them proud, not only to be a part of the Hunter College community, but also proud to be New Yorkers.