This year marked an emotionally charged presidential election during a critical time in our country’s history that motivated many to vote, including high school seniors. 

Seniors that were eligible to vote this election got to experience this process for the first time. Jessie Smith*said she had many emotions running through her head.  

“It was both liberating and debilitating, like knowing my vote was going to be counted for something so much bigger than who I am, for someone who is going to be in charge for four years it’s amazing,” Smith* said. 

Not every senior got to vote this time around, though. Cheyenne Leasure, a senior, was one of those people under the age deadline to register to vote by only months.

“I was very upset because I feel that this was a very important election for our country,” said Leasure. 

Smith* said that she feels there is a lot of work that needs to happen still to make this country a better place for everyone.

“Getting Biden into office is only the beginning, it’s not the end. [A] lot of people feel like, okay, I got Biden into office, my work is done, [but] I don’t think that is quite accurate. I feel there are a lot of other things that need to be addressed,” Smith* said.

The Black Lives Matter movement is one issue Smith* feels needs to be addressed, with the change in office. 

“The Black Lives movement hasn’t gone away… If anything it needs more work. We need to be allies to those people. Being a white female [I] will never understand what it’s like to be a black male,” Smith* said.

 Though Leasure couldn’t participate in this election she knows how to be informed on who to vote for the next election.

“I am paying attention to a lot of political issues and educating myself on the points of views from either end of the political spectrum so that when I am able to vote, I can make an informed decision,” said Leasure.

* fake name of interview that would like to remain anonymous