Aaron Gladd once rode a motorcycle 1,700 miles in 19 hours from New York to Florida. He crossed into the Sunshine State before authorities closed down the border in front of Hurricane Jeanne’s landfall. When he was 30 miles outside of his Fort Lauderdale destination, he got showered with hail.

Gladd, 21, a summer intern for Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.), survived the trip and now counts it as one of his life’s many adventures. And that’s not his only one. Last summer, he got chased by bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and says he managed not to get trampled because of his speed and agility.

“I don’t speak Spanish, so I really couldn’t heed the warnings,” said Gladd, who was taking summer classes in Valencia at the time.

Though he doesn’t mind taking a risk, Gladd is not always reckless. A strong work ethic and a pragmatic spirit helped him make ends meet in high school. Aside from attending classes and studying, Gladd also worked 40-hour weeks washing dishes and played three varsity sports. During his sophomore year, he grew dissatisfied with home life and attained emancipation — meaning his parents were no longer responsible for him. He said there was nothing for him to lose, as his family was supported by welfare and received food stamps for a time.

After the court emancipated him, he slept and ate in friends’ houses. He even sometimes slept in the car.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” he laughed. “I needed money to eat, so I worked, and I needed a degree to get a job, so I studied.”

College life at the University of Albany, where he studies political science and public law, has come at the same hectic pace. Last semester, he completed a 15-hour internship for state Sen. Tom Libous (D-N.Y.) and worked two jobs, for a total of 80 hours of work each week.

Gladd has a semester of college to finish and sees his political internships as steps toward running for public office someday. As a native of Saranac Lake, N.Y., he envisions himself as governor of the state; the presidency is not out of his scope.  

Compared to years past, this summer is calmer for Gladd.

“I actually have time to read a book or watch a movie,” he said.