New York—It was everything short of an outdoor house party. Covered in American flags and clutching “Yes We Can” and “Obama 08” posters hundreds of Obama supporters packed Union Square shortly after Barack Obama was declared the first African American president-elect. The scene was dominated by crowd surfing, dancing, chanting and even the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. It was a scene of hope, of renewal, and predominantly, of youth.

“We did it!” yelled students, celebrating late into the night and forgetting Wednesday’s classes at the nearby New York University Campus.

Hours before the results, many NYU students were twitching with anticipation.

“The political process itself is so intriguing but I’m ready for some type of culmination,” said Tisch sophomore Courtney Martin as she watched the result coverage from her dorm room. Her laptop lay closed by her side. Tonight, homework would have to wait.

Instead of voting by absentee ballot in her Texas hometown, Martin decided to register in New York. This was her first time voting. “I really wanted to go physically pull the lever; I wanted to physically feel involved,” she said.

According to CIRCLE, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to researching political engagement by youths, about 24 million young Americans voted for the first time this year, a 2.2 million increase from 2004.

And a majority of the youth vote went to Obama. For Martin, Obama’s effort to court the youth vote proved successful. “There is this connecting, this reaching out to younger voters,” said Martin. “It puts me in the mindset of how it must have been under people like Martin Luther and JFK.”

Throughout the campaign, Obama addressed the young directly, giving them unprecedented agency and inspiration to vote and make a difference, because to Obama, they mattered. And on November 4th, they counted.

In his first speech as the new president elect of the nation, Obama did not disregard the young crowds that had carried him to the podium. “I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you,” he said. “It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy.”

Kristina Magcamit, a CAS junior majoring in Politics said, “In the past younger voters have felt a disconnect…but it’s the one time one candidate has reached out to younger votes.”