To the Loyola community,

To many of you, the night of November 8 may have come as a shock. Whether you thought Clinton would have a landslide victory or Trump would emerge barely victorious, the results shook many Americans.

This election season has been like no other. From childish clashes on the debate platform to Twitter tirades at 3:00 A.M. to an unprecedented night of exceedingly close results on Tuesday, Election 2016 has truly distinguished itself in so many ways.

But today, after what was truly a “roller coaster of a ride,” we have a president-elect: Donald J. Trump. A man who––although controversial–– will lead our nation for the next four years.

Celebrating a victory or questioning a loss, everyone is equally and rightfully entitled to their opinion and response regarding election night. You may have been lost for words, scared for what the next four years will look like, asking yourself if this is what America stands for. You may have been overwhelmed with joy, excited for the next four years, waiting for Inauguration Day to bring change to America. Regardless of the vote, America has voted.

For those who are unhappy with the election result, try your best to respect the office of the presidency. America’s perpetuity has always required peaceful transitions of power between groups with sometimes conflicting views. Our 240-year experiment in democracy relies on this respect for our institutions.

For those who are ecstatic with the results, you should also understand where some anti-Trump individuals are basing their dissatisfaction. While Trump has alienated certain individuals and groups, you must also understand that building trust in a certain individual cannot be expedited overnight.

Regardless of where you fall in the political atmosphere, if we all understand where we all come from and develop key relationships, we will start to notice similarities among one another. These similarities will be the ones to build a stronger, more unified nation.

As members of the Loyola High School community, we must remember that we are men and women for and with others, not ourselves. It is in this belief––this calling––that we must table our own political biases and stand as a country and community united. We must realize that we all manifest an essential similarity: We are all Americans. We all want the best for this nation.

So we challenge you: Use this time of transition not to sulk on your differences but to uncover the similarities in each other. Extend this idea outside of Loyola and into your lives at home, in your own communities and beyond. Establishing continuities will strengthen this nation.

God Bless the United States of America.

Very truly yours,

Conor Gaffney & Nico Salinas