I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life, so I’ve been been lucky to take advantage of all the attention our state receives before the caucuses. Four years ago, I was 18 and participated in my first caucus. It was fun to observe our democracy in action, but none of the candidates really excited me, or motivated me to do anything besides voting in November.

This year, however, was different.

After I had been wavering between Hillary and Barack for awhile, I went to an event where they both spoke, and was blown away by the power and conviction of Barack’s message. This was not easy for me - I admit that I’m usually a very cynical and skeptical person, not easily swayed by anything less than cold, hard logic. But the more I listened to and learned about Barack, the more I realized that not only did he have the ability to give people hope, but that he had plans and policies to back it up.

I found myself making the leap to something I’d never done before - actually wanting to volunteer for a campaign. I started canvassing for Barack, making phone calls from the local campaign office, and talking with people every chance I got about why they should care. I don’t normally consider myself a very influential person, but through my efforts, I got at least a dozen non-politically active friends to vote in the caucus for Barack.

The more I volunteered, the more I saw that I was making a difference. I canvassed and made calls in my hometown before the caucuses, and my precinct earned Barack an extra delegate. I joined the National Call Team, and made calls to voters in Connecticut, Nebraska, and Maine; among these were some amazing fifteen minute or longer conversations where I helped debunk the Muslim email attacks, or discussed the intricacies of Barack and Hillary’s platforms. Other people’s excitement and interest in the primaries was evident, and motivated me to keep volunteering. I also donated small sums of money whenever I could, and saw how millions like me were doing the same.

I know now that I can never go back to not caring and not being politically involved; and Barack is the inspiration for this. I’m not naive or idealistic, I know his campaign and his presidency will be imperfect, but I trust in Barack’s honesty, integrity, and character to be a strong leader, one who will do what is right, not what is politically convenient. One who will listen to the American people, not lobbyists, and carefully and intelligently make decisions. One who will not alienate part of the country, but will make an effort to unite us and transcend our divides. Because of Barack, I feel part of a movement, a positive movement in politics; one that I know is only just beginning.