By <a href="https://www.unigo.com/Explorer/Profiles/Profile.aspx?UserId=30160">Meg Fortgang</a>
11/04/08
By Megan Fortgang
Unigo Campus Rep at Bryn Mawr
The anticipation mounts at Bryn Mawr College during the Smart Women Vote Bi-Partisan Election Viewing Party in Thomas Great Hall tonight. Upon approaching the building, cheers of nearly 400 plus students were heard as states on the MSNBC map projected on a huge screen are colored blue. Students cover the floor snacking on popcorn, pizza, bakery goods, and cotton candy while filling in maps, provided to all attendees by Smart Women Vote, with the electoral vote designations.
At 10:59 pm, the collective audience held her breath as California’s polls close. At 11:01 pm, there is dead silence as an announcement fills the screen proclaiming Barak Obama the 44th president of the United States of America. At 11:02 pm, these 400 plus Bryn Mawr women and guests begin to scream! Stunned and confused, students’ grab their neighbors. No one appears to believe that it is all over.
A crying Smart Women vote member, Andrea Milne, can barely speak, “I’m SO HAPPY” she murmurs when she gets her voice back. Across the room, Molly Ricks is also crying, “I can’t believe it!” she yells as she grabs her friends in a hug. “I LOVE MY STATE!” born and bred California girl Danielle Menard screams. Jennifer Bonczar cries, “AHHHHH.” The universal reaction is one of absolute shock, joy, and amazement. Yells of “Anassa Kata,” “I love this country,” and “Obama 08” ring out around the room. So, congratulations Senator Obama – new president elect of the United States of America!