ALENA HANSON Features & Opinions Editor

America followed along with the most recent election for what seemed like forever.

Whether it was Republicans or Democrats, millennials or baby boomers, everyone watched and was talking about the historical event. Good or bad, this was a year full of insanity. Media played a huge role in this election. A lot of what voters were retrieving came from social media, news outlets, advertisements, tabloids and celebrities.

Scandals from both sides popped up everywhere, trying to dissuade votes or gain them. Clinton was blasted for withholding emails and supporting everyone but her own country. Trump was called out for racism, sexism and just plain crazy comments. New developments were being presented every day regarding the candidates. Hate campaigns began for both of the frontrunners, pushing the third parties further to the side.

Celebrities endorsed their choice of president on social media. Tabloids blasted whoever they got dirt on or what made the biggest payback. Candidate-endorsed commercials popped up amongst the usual ads. These media outlets were how a huge chunk of the country got their information on who to vote for. Another way that people were educated on the candidates were the presidential debates. Claims for their presidency and how the other candidate was unqualified to compete graced the people in the audience in the crowd and at home. Some did not find the debates helpful. Some avoided them all together.

Then, there were some who were cemented on their choice for the next leader of the U.S. Along with who to vote for, the call for people to actually make their voice heard by voting was a huge topic of discussion this year. Everyone that was able to go out and vote was highly encouraged to do so. Celebrities, advertisements, social media and the candidates themselves also made this large. Taylor Swift instagrammed a picture of her in line to vote, captioned: “Get out and go vote!” The hashtag, “ImWithHer” was very popular, as was “TrumpTrain.”

Voting selfies, pictures taken with the various ‘I Voted’ stickers, were also popular this year. On Nov. 9, at nearly 4 a.m. in the morning, Donald Trump was named the president-elect. People celebrated. People cried. People protested. People went out and partied. Violence occurred. “LoveTrumpsHate” began. A nation was divided. Whether people voted or did not became a debate. Friendships ended. Friendships began.

Hillary Clinton conceded and congratulated the win. Donald Trump was welcomed in to the presidency by Barrack Obama. Miley Cyrus said, “I accept you” to the president elect in a video. People began to fear for their safety from the other side. A lot of people turned against others, trying to figure out whether the election had a good or bad outcome. Some people felt rest assured with the result and others felt that another should have won. Some stayed up the entire night to watch the coverage of the results. Some went to bed and prayed for the best. There were people that voted third party. There were people that voted for what they considered the lesser evil.

Either way, there were people buzzing about the results of the election all over social media. Some were celebrating, some upset and others just asking for peace.