Manchester teenager Emily Gold thought she was just going to help out when she decided to volunteer for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign.

Then came the news that she was heading to Charlotte, N.C., to go to the Democratic National Convention, which began Tuesday and ends Thursday.

“I had no idea this would be happening,” Gold said by telephone Tuesday from Charlotte. “I didn’t expect this in my wildest dreams. It came as a surprise, and I’m just honored to have been given this opportunity.”

After seeing Obama speak at Manchester Central High School in November during her senior year at the school, Gold, the daughter of Ellen and Samuel Gold of Manchester, agreed to do the mundane work of stuffing envelopes and making phone calls for the campaign. But she was noticed quickly by campaign staff.

“Emily Gold is a phenomenal volunteer for President Obama’s campaign in New Hampshire. After seeing the President speak at her high school in November, Emily decided she wanted to get involved with the campaign and has since become a staple in the Manchester organizing team,” said Harrell Kirstein, spokesman for Obama’s New Hampshire campaign. “We are privileged to be able to work alongside such an outstanding and inspiring young woman.”

During her involvement with the campaign, she has met Vice President Joe Biden and, more recently, President Obama during his visit to Durham in June. She gave him a hug and he asked her about her upcoming school schedule at the University of New Hampshire, she said.

“That was really exciting,” she said.

She said she will serve as a page for New Hampshire’s delegates and will be on the floor of the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte during Obama’s speech. She said the convention has already been a dizzying experience.

“I’m still pinching myself,” she said. “I was coming in and I walked right by (MSNBC news host) Chris Matthews,” she said.

Gold, who has graduated from Central and will major in political science at the University of New Hampshire this fall, said her experience on the campaign has only increased her interest in politics — but not necessarily running for political office.

“I’m still interested in the behind-the-scenes,” she said. “I don’t really know what I want to do yet, but this may be my future.”

- - - - - - - -

Tim Buckland may be reached at tbuckland@unionleader.com.