This week, I was planning on writing an article about procrastination. I was planning on making it witty and relatable, as the semester is coming to a close and students are drained and tired. I was not planning on writing an article about the election. My thinking was that EVERYONE would be writing about the election, and after this election season, people are tired of reading about it. I did not want to bore readers as they read an article that was as repetitive as the last.

But, that all changed after the results of the 2016 presidential election shocked so many of us.

I have been a Hillary Clinton supporter since she announced her candidacy in 2015. This election was the first one I was eligible to vote in, as I just turned eighteen this past summer. It made me so proud that I was able to cast my first vote in an election on Clinton.

Election night was a wild ride. I spent seven hours avidly watching polls close and the votes being counted, as electoral votes were awarded to each candidate. I finally went to sleep when Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair John Podesta dismissed the crowd at the Jacob Javits Center in New York for the night. I woke up in tears on November 9, shocked and saddened by the news that Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.

With that being said, I decided to write two letters, one to each of the candidates. To begin, I want to address the president-elect himself, Donald Trump:

Mr. Trump -excuse me, President-Elect Trump-

I am an 18-year-old female college student. I am just entering my adult life and I am scared.

What are you going to do to help the minorities of this nation? The LGBT community? Women health issues and their rights? People with disabilities? How are you going to help to protect our environment for us and future generations? How are you going to keep us safe without the constant threat of war?

I am sorry Mr. Trump, but it scares me that a man that bragged about sexually assaulting women is going to be our next president. It scares me that a man who wants to build a wall to keep immigrants out of our nation is going to be our next president. It scares me that a man who has openly made fun of the disabled is going to be our next president. Most importantly, it scares me that a man who cannot even handle his own twitter account is going to be our next president.

Your entire campaign slogan was "Make America Great Again." I, however, think America is already pretty great. We are a free nation where anyone over the age of 18, no matter race, gender, or religion, is allowed to vote. We have legalized same-sex marriage. A woman’s right to choose what she can do with her own body is legal in this nation.. This nation is made up of diverse people of every religion and culture. So how exactly have you stated that you plan to "Make America Great Again?" By undoing what already helps to make America so great.
Our nation is #StrongerTogether, but with you new as president, and given many of the comments that you have made during the campaigns – including the debates, I suspect our nation will be divided more than ever.

Mr. Trump, you will now hold the office to the most powerful position in the free world. As stunned, shocked, and scared as I may be, I need to overcome this grief, I will accept you as our next president. Please, Mr. Trump, I am begging you. Please do not get rid of what has already helped to make America so great. Please do not let this country take any steps backwards, after many, many steps forward.

Sincerely, A Scared Female College Student

Next, I want to address my hero and the first woman nominated to run for president for a major political party, Hillary Clinton:

Secretary Clinton,

Thank you. Thank you for being a role model for the younger generations, as we watched you make history as the first woman from a major party to earn the nomination to run for President. Thank you for fighting to preserve important social reforms that our country had already fought so hard to achieve. Thank you for inspiring young girls, and reminding them that no job is only a man's job. Thank you for not just representing one race and religion, but instead, being the voice for every race, religion, gender, and orientation. You are certainly made your country proud.

When I graduate college, and have kids of my own, I will be proud to tell them how I supported you through every step of your campaign. I will be proud to tell them that not only was this the first election I was eligible to vote in, but I was also able to vote for you.

You have shown such dignity and grace in the days since the elections. Your concession speech was inspiring and you delivered it beautifully. I applaud you for how you have handled this painful defeat .

Though you will not be the one who will be inaugurated on January 20, you have taught us that we must not give up, and we must take action for what we believe in. That this is a country for all of us, not just a privileged few. Thank you, Hillary, and I hope this is not the end of your incredible contribution to our society and what really makes America so Great. .

Sincerely, Someone Who Is Still With You