Janessa GoldbeckKonto zweryfikowane

This "look" was accomplished via flesh-colored sparkling tights, a white mesh tank top (representing the follicles, obviously), and long strips of white cloth streaming off the top of my shoulders. It was SUPER alarming.

I was 23 years old and living in Washington, DC, where everyone was consumed with electing Obama and Biden. My girlfriend at the time was an FO in Florida, and she would FAX me call sheets so I could host phone banks with my housemates, pictured above.

I was lucky enough to spend that election night just a few blocks from the White House. When the AP called it for Obama, we poured into the streets and sprinted to the White House, crying, chanting, singing, and hugging strangers.

We are still a long way away from final results, but as we head into early returns, I'm choosing to drown out the darkness of the last four years with these memories and the feelings of hope, community, and possibility that they elicit.

Thousands of people around the country have worked so hard against unprecedented roadblocks to ensure a free and fair election with as much participation as possible. To every staffer, poll worker, reporter, and volunteer - THANK YOU for inspiring me again this year.