PHOTO: Jess Bruno

Campus Activities Council hosts Elizabeth Smart on Thursday at 8 pm.

Elizabeth Smart, founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and American activist and contributor for ABC news, shared her 2002 kidnapping experience with students on Thursday, April 19 hosted by CAC in the Meacham Auditorium at the Union.

“I remember the next words that I heard was 'I have a knife at your throat get up',” Elizabeth Smart said.

Smart was kidnapped from her bed in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 5, 2002 at the age of 14. Smart spent nine months she spent with her two captors Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee as the state of Utah had an ongoing investigation in her disappearance.

“I made a decision that I would survive,” Smart said. “Didn’t matter if I was with them three months or three years.”

Smart explained the trials she endured during her nine months of captivity and shared personal experience with the audience.

“He told me that if I tried anything funny my life would come to a quick end.” Smart said.

Students heard Smart’s story and how it impacted her life and caused her to develop a passion for abused children and start the Elizabeth Smart Foundation which speaks out against crime against children.

Smart inspired students with her story and outcome of her situation.

“She was inspiring because she taught us that even when we feel like we’ve hit rock bottom we can come back from it and work our way to the very top.” Natalie Gilbert, an OU student who attended the event, said.

Smart travels around the country speaking at different schools and conventions sharing her story and speaking out against crime against children.

“I think there is a special place in hell for people that hurt children.” Smart said.

For more information about Elizabeth Smart and the Elizabeth Smart Foundation visit http://elizabethsmartfoundation.org/