I am an educator who has practiced his profession in all areas of public education and presently as a college professor. For 63 of my 68 years I have been getting up and going to school as a student and educator. I would doubt that anybody would believe that I don’t enjoy what I do. After all, I have been and am involved in the greatest profession there is namely, the education of our youth.

I have always had tremendous faith in students even though there have been times when I was disappointed, as I am sure also that I perhaps disappointed them. But, I must say that there has never been a time in all of those 63 years when I have been more proud of our youth. I refer to the tremendous outpouring of young people to the polls in the recent national election. I don’t think that anyone can doubt that they made a significant difference in this election and their steadfastness, excitement, and commitment contributed greatly to Barack Obama’s historic win on Nov. 4.

I am absolutely thrilled and proud that this significant section of the electorate in Maine and across the country has “risen up” and followed through to victory in electing a person who just happens to be an African-American, president of the United States of America. Elections in this country may never be the same again. For too long, many young people have been apathetic about politics but with this great historical accomplishment I am hopeful that the young will continue to be a force that finally realizes that they can make a difference in what happens in their community, state, nation, and the world. It was a beautiful thing to behold and I am so pleased and grateful that it happened in my lifetime.

William A. Prescott, Jr.

Machiasport