When you think of a political activist, of a volunteer on a Presidential campaign, what picture comes to mind? For many, the immediate image in their head is of an older man or woman, thirty and up.

The younger generation is so oftentimes written off in regards to the role they play in politics that it’s easy to forget that many youth voters do care, and get involved in more ways than one.

Meet Janani Sivaloganathan. A senior at the University of Washington, she’s been a volunteer for Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential campaign since early 2007. And no, she isn’t in her thirties or forties. She’s 21 years old.

Janani’s interest in politics began at an early age, and stems from her experiences moving from state-to-state, and even country-to-country throughout her lifetime.

“This experience of different cultures, different lifestyles and different governments really opened my eyes to various political systems and views,” Sivaloganathan explained.

Her support for Obama started much before his bid to be the Democratic Presidential nominee. “I’ve been a huge fan of Obama’s since 2004.” Janani had many explanations for her support of Obama.

“Obama crosses party lines; he’s far more elect able than other democratic candidates because he appeals to independents. He takes a stand on issues that matter to me: education, the economy, poverty, the environment, etc. Ultimately, Obama is the kind of person and leader I want to see in the White House,” she explained.

So how did she become an Obama volunteer?

“I began by simply going onto his website and finding out what kinds of volunteer opportunities were available. At the time that I did this I was in New York and there were a lot of opportunities available.”

Janani began her volunteer work by oftentimes going to local churches and community centers in New York with her brother, and doing grassroots campaigning.

Her volunteer work continued when she moved back to Seattle to begin another school year at the U of W. “When I got back to Washington, I immediately started to look for opportunities in Seattle. Through my search, I found the UW Students for Obama group and the Seattle-based Obama campaign. I now do most of my campaign work and volunteering with other students.”

Aside from the typical student obligations of class and work, Janani’s volunteer-filled days consist of many grassroots campaign strategies, including “Obama tabling, information sessions in the HUB (student union building at the U of W) and downtown Seattle, planning and marketing Obama events, promoting Obama online, holding fundraisers, and doing cold calling.”

Sivaloganathan admires the Obama campaign for its predominately grassroots approach. “It really says something about his supporters, what he’s capable of, and where this country would be headed towards under his leadership.”

Youth enthusiasm surrounding Obama has been high. Many groups at college campuses and in communities throughout the nation have been formed in support of Obama. One of these groups is the Students for Barack Obama.

According to their website students.barackobama.com, it was “founded in the summer of 2006, and began with a few students using Facebook to petition Senator Obama to run for President in 2008. The passion and dedication of thousands of students has transformed that movement into the official student organization of Obama for America — and one of the largest grassroots student organizations in history.”

Young voter excitement has translated into success for Obama in early state contests. In an article posted online today, the Salt Lake Tribune stated that, “State Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland said he witnessed “a growing enthusiasm” for Obama, particularly among young voters.” Obama has received the majority of the vote among young voters in early primary and caucus elections, according to exit polls.

Obama has been given the endorsement of many school newspapers, including, for example, the Georgetown Hoya and the Daily Campus at the University of Connecticut.

Volunteers like Janani Sivaloganathan represent the growing political participation of young citizens. Planning to volunteer for Obama “until he’s the President of the United States,” Sivaloganathan’s excitement for the Senator is at an all time high.

“Barack Obama represents what I believe to be everything a president should be. He carries in him the ability to inspire, unify, and bring this country back together: economically, fiscally, politically, and socially.”