Julia Haugen and Meghan Nyberg sat laughing in the shadow of the Washington Monument despite the chill in the air, eagerly awaiting the moment U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump would appear on the massive Jumbotron. 

“So far, it’s like the best day of my life,” Haugen said, proudly wearing a Trump campaign hat over her platinum-hued ponytail. “I’m so excited to be here – my heart’s been pounding the entire time.”

“I don’t think we’ve stopped smiling for the past 24 hours,” said Nyberg.

Students of Appalachian State University, Haugen, 18, and Nyberg, 19, traveled over 400 miles to experience the Inauguration of their candidate in the nation’s capital. Haugen, originally from Hartford, WI, had never been interested in politics, but quickly found herself too involved to miss out on this historical election. 

Haugen’s brother is in the US Marine Corps and his position encouraged her to become involved in politics. She spent the election paying special attention to how each candidate would support troops in the nation’s military. 

“With [Trump] appointing General Mattis [as Secretary of Defense] … That really excites me because of his respect for the military… which Hillary [Clinton] didn’t have. It really gets me going,” Haugen said.

Nyberg, a native of Beaufort, N.C., found herself unsatisfied with the Democrats’ control over the presidency. 

“I feel like it was just getting a little too long,” said Nyberg, the displeasure visible in her dark brown eyes. “We needed a change in office and in government.”

The friends’ road to Washington was not without hardship. Appalachian State’s student body is predominantly liberal, making it challenging for conservative undergrads to feel safe expressing their opinions.

Nyberg described feeling like an outcast, keeping many of her viewpoints to herself when surrounded by classmates who were more prepared to protest than to praise Trump’s victory. 

Though numerous protests occurred in the areas surrounding the girls’ position on the National Mall, Haugen and Nyberg remained unfazed.  However, they were confused by the motivations of the participants and their end goals. 

“You have the freedom to express your opinion, but I feel like marching around telling people that you disagreeing isn’t going to do anything,” Haugen said. “I respect everybody, but I just don’t feel like it’s going to do much. I came here to support him.”

“We’re not going to protest,” added Nyberg, agreeing with her friend’s words, grinning despite the slight drizzle that began to fall. 

Sitting in a field surrounded by a company of like-minded individuals was an overwhelming experience for the twosome. 

“Especially coming from a liberal school… there was no one else who really agreed with us. But being here, knowing that these people feel the same way is just incredible, to feel the support of all of them,” said Haugen, growing emotional. 

“I’ve never loved so many people I’ve never met.”