The polls got it wrong; for 52 percent of voting Americans who awoke dumbfounded on November 9, a distinctive ache still rings in their ears.

But for every single American, and much of the world, regardless of whether your candidate triumphed or not, we all stand on the precipice of a new chapter in history. Now, more than ever, our decisions and actions matter.

Donald Trump will be the 45th president of the United States of America. This is an unchangeable fact. The peaceful transition of power is part of what makes the U.S. intrinsically strong. As an editorial staff, we opposed Trump as a candidate, but now, as the president-elect, we must work with him, and urge the rest of the student body to the same.

In electing a businessman rather than a veteran politician, the nation is clearly calling for reform. Whether our president-elect frightens you, or highlights exactly what you want for America’s future, we must respect the democratic process.

America has survived controversial elections, and we will pull through this one as well. Our nation is strong, built on the principles of union and coalition, virtues we need to remember now more than ever.

With the election of Trump, we arrive at an unknown future. A future where the legitimacy of climate change will come under scrutiny. A future where the rights of LGBT groups will be examined, and a future where the treatment of immigrants will be disputed. These issues matter and our opinions and thoughts pertaining to them matter as well. It is our duty to ensure our voices are heard regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.

In the weeks leading up to November 8 the hallways of the school were filled with a sophistication that spurred discussion about a range of political and social issues. So much passion about politics has derived from events concerning the election, and this should not change. Recognize the change that has come from this election, and continue to facilitate conversation and voice your beliefs.

Now more than ever, our generation is advocating for social justice issues, environmental needs and equality for all. Learn what you are passionate about, and hold your representatives accountable to those issues. We can’t let the rhetoric of the election reverse the progress we’ve made.

Moving forward, we must recognize that despite the fact that the vast majority of the high school supported Clinton, ASL embodies a diverse range of political beliefs which deserve everyone’s respect.

As an Editorial Staff we recognize the need for space to discuss now more than ever, and we request the administration provide students with the medium to safely voice their opinions. These discussion should focus on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.

We also urge the administration to remain neutral in these tumultuous times. We acknowledge how emotionally distressing this result has been for many, but there are Trump supporters in our community, and we should not alienate them for their political views.

For many of us, we have a hard pill to swallow, but the faster we can accept the unalterable, the sooner we can focus on the enormity of the task we have in front of us. This is a moment for the renewal of American values. We cannot let this result, hinder our vision for a better future.

Photo from flickr.com/gageskidmore