Now that I am 18 years old, I am more than excited that I get the privilege to vote. I get to have my own say in who I feel should be our next president and I can’t wait for my voice to be heard. As a New Orleans resident my entire life, I feel that my future president needs to be a very active one that really supports getting our city back on its feet. I will say that in the past years, we have worked together as a community to really get New Orleans moving again and it has truly been a great success; however, there are still many things needed and many areas of concern that should be addressed.

New Orleans is not only a unique city that I am truly proud to call home, but it is one that has a special power to draw you back to it. I would love to be able to live in this city when I grow up and raise a family of my own here; however, it is not that easy when we have eroding coastlands and weak levees to protect us if another Katrina were to come our way.

I need a president who can see that our environment is a huge issue, not only in New Orleans, but across the United tates. Coastal erosion is something getting worse and worse everyday and to look at pictures of our coast in years to come is very scary for me when I have to see half of New Orleans wiped away. If this isn’t fixed or at least better addressed, then how will I be able to give my family what I was given when growing up in this amazing city?

I will vote for a candidate that makes a point to help the environment and make their way to the coastland to see the issues firsthand. Not seeing New Orleans, as well as other coastal cities, on a map in our future is a very scary sight. Our next president needs to be knowledgeable in these issues and really make a point to learn about them. I want someone who is willing to help, and who not only says it but shows it.

I think action is the biggest part of a president’s career and without a strong effort, I think it will be hard to relate to whoever it is. Hopefully in my future, I have my family and my kids that will be able to call New Orleans their home just as I was.