About our blogger

Paula Villescaz, 19, was a Democratic Convention delegate from Sacramento. She graduated from Mira Loma High School and is currently a sophomore at UC Berkeley. She blogged for Sacbee.com during the Democratic Convention and the presidential election. Here, she wraps up her experience.

My generation

I have to say I don't think the Obama victory has quite set in yet. It's been an exhausting year for me, and I am almost more excited that it's all over. But what was accomplished Tuesday night was something extraordinary and I am a lucky American to have been alive not only to witness it, but to be a part of it. I think that I've already run the importance and significance of an Obama victory through my head so many times since August that I am looking past it momentarily. Victory means everything - a new path on the war, a president and administration that takes climate problems seriously, someone who knows that our education system is in shambles and will make a concerted effort to fix it, someone will enforce a tax policy that is fair and makes sense. I think the most important thing for me was confirmation that our system does still work. After 2 cycles of wondering and questioning the legitimacy of the election results, when thinking about how close we were to winning, I couldn't help but also say - yes. But what if they steal the election? With reports of voting problems in swing states and thousands of voters being removed from voting rolls, I couldn't help but proceed cautiously. It didn't happen this time. There were no problems, everyone got to vote and besides traditional recounts because races were so close, there seem to be no huge lawsuits yet over the process. After almost a decade of complete Republican control, one of the biggest sweeping transfers of power in our history took place, and it took place with respect, dignity, and peace. I am proud of our country for making the right decision, and I am just as proud that the unique democratic system that has sustained us for 230 years still works.

Another thing that I am excited about is my generation. While I don't think we're going to have exceeded the record turnout in 1972, it does look like we set the second highest record turnout. Not only did they all endure the long process of getting registered, figuring out where and when to vote, and actually voting, a record number of them walked precincts, made phone calls and traveled to swing states. For the first time in my lifetime a majority of my peers have owned a piece of this election and have a stake in this presidency. Now that they have ownership, I think it's even more likely for them to follow this presidency - actually care about things like Inauguration Day and State of the Union speeches. And when our new president makes a call to service, I am hopeful that we will see a record number of young people volunteering and serving their country both abroad and here at home. But not only did we come out in almost-record numbers nationwide - we were the only demographic to overwhelmingly vote "no" on Proposition 8. Not only does my generation care about and have faith in our government again, we are a generation that will fight for equality for every citizen. I don't want to get too excited, but I am hopeful that not only did we win the White House, but a new generation of civic-minded, fair, equal and just people was created.

And while I am still very excited about this, there are many reminders that the fight for change and a better tomorrow is not over. Here in California the fight is just beginning to reverse Proposition 8. Also in District 4, a race close to my heart because I helped fight Rep. John Doolittle there in 2006, the outcome is still too close to call. There are still thousands of votes to be counted, but a recount is likely. Recounts are also likely for seats in Minnesota, Georgia and perhaps Alaska. After 3 years of working on campaigns I am beginning to realize that I picked a business that never sleeps. But it's days like Tuesday that remind me what it's all for. And though I've never been more exhausted in my life, I will first finish school, but after that keep going, because we still have a lot of work to do.