A Saint Paul Academy student
keeps a running tally of states
won by the presidential candidates
Nov. 4 at a watch party.
With the highly anticipated presidential election finally over, the students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s in St. Louis Park have mixed emotions.
“I think it’s amazing the U.S. can elect a president that they know nothing about,” said Darren Glover, a junior, and self-described “very opinionated” Republican.
It seemed that nearly half of the Catholic school students were upset their beloved McCain had lost: wearing red to support the support the Republican party, posting Facebook statuses questioning America’s future, and even threatening to move to Canada.
“I’m scared for our country,” Junior Annabelle Javellana said, who sported an “Asian and Pacific American’s for McCain” T-shirt on Election Day.
“But I wasn’t surprised Obama won,” she said.
Darren agreed. “ I knew it was going to happen. McCain had a terrible campaign, he didn’t bring up any of the major points,” he said.
But for every McCain supporter, there was an equally passionate Democrat at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
“I’m really happy,” said Elizabeth Papetti, a junior, who attended the Obama rally at Macalester College on Oct. 13 where Michelle Obama spoke to an estimated 4,500 people.
Elizabeth also helped with the campaign by recruiting supporters. “He is one of the most educated and intelligent men in this country. I’m excited to see what he does in the next four years,” she said.
No matter what their political belief is, students agreed that the first thing Obama needs to do as president is fix the economy. “People’s houses are being foreclosed and we need to stop that,” said Elizabeth.
Annabelle said she felt the same, but is anxious for Obama to “step up.” “I’m sad because McCain didn’t win, but eventually [the disappointment] will die down,” she said, “It’s all going to be fine.”
While Elizabeth will no longer directly participate with the Democratic Party, she plans to stay politically involved, keeping up on the changes Obama instates. As will Darren. “I’m definitely still going to be involved, I’ll keep on the news, and listen to what Obama says he’s going to do,” he said.
- East African immigrant students support Obama 100 percent, Ubah Medical Academy, predominantly an East African immigrant school in Hopkins, Minn., was buzzing with joy and excitement over the pervious nights elections Nov. 5. Not a single student at Ubah supported John McCain. Student were euphoric as they exchanged greetings and congrats. Every other sentence you heard in the hallways contained the phrase “We made history!”
- Harding reacts with silent anticipation: What's next? students ask, Barack Obama is the new President, and the reaction at Harding High School in St. Paul is eerie silence. Hmong students make up a little of more than fifty percent of Harding’s student body. Normally the Hmong community votes for the Democratic party, but Hmong students at Harding supported both candidates.
- Twin Cities teens react to the election, !
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