We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming....

In 1992, I turned 18. Because Pennsylvania's primary was in May, I was able to vote in both the primary and the general election.

I remember how excited I was to be a voter and how seriously I took my responsibility. I can still remember sitting cross legged on the family room floor, the League of Women Voters Voter's Guide spread out before me, pen and paper in hand. I carefully read each candidate's positions and made a list of who I would vote for.

I believe I voted in a car dealership. My friend Taissia accompanied me to the polls. She was still 17, so she was very excited to watch her friend cast her first ballot. I voted for Bill Clinton.

After I graduated from high school, I prepared for college and kept a keen eye on the presidential race. I've always been a political junkie (I was a Jerry Brown supporter at one time). I watched the Democratic National Convention and felt inspired by Clinton and Gore. I even wrote a letter to the editor of the Harrisburg Patriot News, explaining why my ballot would be cast for Clinton and Gore. My parents, though they didn't agree with my political ideology (I'm much more liberal than the rest of my family), proudly cut my letter out of the paper and ran off copies to show to family and friends.

I started college at Penn State's main campus in August. George Bush made a campaign stop on Old Main lawn. I stood next to a man dressed as a chicken and booed loudly, even though I was nowhere near Presiden Bush. My roommate managed to get in the front of the crowd; she held up the Clinton Gore sign she smuggled in. After the rally, we hung it proudly in our room.

Since I coudn't travel home to Hershey to cast my ballot, my parents secured an absentee ballot for me. I sent my roommate out of our room (the ballot said it was to be filled out in secret, after all) and cast my ballot for Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I was energized and engaged, a voter in my first presidential election. I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.

On election night, we gathered in a floormate's room, popcorn and soda in hand. We were ready to ring in a new era. We could literally feel the world changing. As the results came in, we saw hope, we saw potential for our future.

Fast forward to this year. My hair is grayer, my chosen path a life in public service. I saw Barack Obama speak on Old Main lawn. I waited in line for 2 hours to gain a spot near the front. I was inspired by his message of change, his message of hope. He touched me in a way no candidate had done since Bill Clinton and Al Gore reached me as an 18 year old. I once again had hope for my country.

Today, I waited in line for 30 minutes to cast my ballot for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As I did when I was 18, I cast my ballot for hope and inspiration.

Tonight, I sit here with tears in my eyes and our country again at a crossroads. I can see change coming, change that is so desparately needed. I see a country that will once again unite to take care of its own, to right its ship.

I wonder if there is another 18 year old who has been touched by Barack Obama in the way Bill Clinton reached me. To those newly-energized voters, I offer my congratulations. You voted in your first presidential election. Its a moment in time that will stay with you forever.