Delta College students are navigating the morning after Election Day with a variety of reactions: some celebrating their favorite candidate’s victory, others concerned with unexpected outcomes, but with recognition that their engagement mattered.
For Music major Christian Alexander, the 2024 election cycle felt more like a show.
“Lots of entertainment, lots of clowns,” Alexander said. “Feels exactly like a circus.”
This election represented more than just a choice between candidates: it was a chance to voice concerns on issues that impact daily life.
For statistics student Alex Mafalbon, it also highlighted what she sees as a deep moral shift.
“This country has forgotten that it was built one nation under God,” Malfabon said, reflecting on her hopes for a return to values she feels have been lost.
Among the students most deeply invested in this election was Genaro Garcia, a political science major who is highly civically engaged.
For Garcia, the results exhibited a dramatic shift in the nation’s political landscape.
“Trump has, practically, won the election,” he said on Wednesday morning. “Kamala Harris, whether it’s due to the disapproval in the Biden administration or some degree of the ‘Hillary Clinton’ factor — that general dislikeability—has lost. The Senate is red and likely to get redder. Democratic strategy has proven a failure, and the future figureheads are unclear. It was make or break for them, and seemingly they went broke.”
Ro Schmidt, a computer science major, said election night was one of caution and quiet resilience.
“I went to vote and then locked myself in my house with my family, knowing that whoever gets voted into office, we did our part to try and make this country fall into office, we did our part to try and make this country fall into better hands.” said Schmidt, who cited concerns for their family’s safety. “We will not be leaving the house unless absolutely necessary, for our own safety.”
For Delta College’s community, the 2024 election wasn’t the end, but a call to action.
Students’ determination to remain involved beyond Election Day demonstrated a dedication that will continue to influence their community — and maybe the country — long after the votes are counted.
