On November 4th, as I was getting ready for school the next day, I heard my mom shriek with joy. I walked down the hall to my mom’s room; she jumped off her bed and hugged me. Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States.

If there was ever a more important election to vote in, this was it. This election recognized for becoming one of the biggest turnouts of voters ever. Some voters stood in line for up to 4 hours just to cast their ballot, “I waited two hours to cast my vote, but nothing was going to stop me from being heard in this election,” says Northwest parent, Margie Williams.

The long fought election ended with Obama receiving the necessary 270 electoral votes and making history as the first African American president of the United States. “I never thought we’d see the day when a black man would be president,” said my father, Jim Barber, “We would have never been able to do this without the younger generation…kids these days don’t see color.” Many are crediting Obama success to the younger crowd, ages 18-25, saying the messages encouraging voting were passed through young technology such as YouTube, Facebook, and text messaging. “It was really cool since it was my first time voting,” says Northwest alumni, Kelly Stewart, “It will be cool to tell my kids and grandkids that I took part and help make history.”

Obama was the first Democrat since Jimmy Carter to win more than 50 percent of the popular vote. He won the majority of women voters, 49 percent of men voters, two thirds of Hispanic voters, and 60 percent of moderate voters who once supported McCain. Obama’s main turnout was from the 95 percent of African American voters. Obama’s win was more than just a new democratic president for African Americans, it was a milestone to show just how far this country has come, “For me, it confirms what I have always told my sons…nothing is impossible; the sky is the limit,” says Northwest mother, Kim Butler. For many parents born and raised in the 50’s and 60’s, an African American running the country never could come true, and now it is almost too shocking to believe. “I was extremely full when I saw Obama and Biden together,” says parent, Carol Taylor, “When he and Biden embraced it it hit me like a ton of bricks…we actually have a black president.”

Obama became president not by the color of his skin but by the tremendous support from Caucasian voters, reminding everyone of the unity we have as Americans. Obama promised this country change that we could believe it and saw hope in these words. “The man has vision…he has vision for this world and I was thrilled when he won,” says parent, Anita Gonzalez. “This is your victory…the road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep…I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you—we as a people will get there,” Obama declared to over 125,000 people at Chicago’s Grad Park. Obama’s view and voice rung in millions of people’s ears on that election day, giving them faith that he will be the one to pull our country back together again.

Although the majority of us were too young to participate in this past election, the decision Obama will make will impact the rest of our lives. The young generation stepped up to the plate this November and made a difference in the lives of Americans all over. The week before the election I got a chain text message that read: Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk, King walked, so Obama could run, Obama is running so our children can fly. Obama’s victory on November 4th exceeded the dreams of many adults and set dreams for many youth. People no longer have to ponder where our country heads, because Mr. President has assured us all no matter what happens, “Yes we can!”