This year isn’t exactly off to a great start. In a huge prank, the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles was turned into “Hollyweed,” and a mentally handicapped man in Chicago was tied up and tortured by four people on Facebook Live for almost 48 hours.

Though this was not the best way to start our year, there is still a bright future ahead for America in 2017. President Barack Obama passes the torch to President-Elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, and that’s when the real change begins.

Now I’m not one to sit here and say that President Obama did a terrible job. I can respect the man for his ability to stabilize the economy and create a huge amount of jobs in this country. However, I’m glad to see a man that created an abysmal healthcare program and failed to deal with terrorism leave the Oval Office.

What we can expect now from President-Elect Trump is a stronger and more secure nation. I’m looking forward to his immigration plans that intend to deal with illegal immigrants and those who have taken advantage of our unsecure borders.

We can also expect the medical world to be shaken up by the possible repeal of Obamacare. Personally, I believe Obamacare needs a simple reformation, but the repeal could lead to a program that President-Elect Trump believes to be more sustainable for the American populous.

In his first 100 days in office, Trump has a lot planned. A proposal to shorten term limits in congress, a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, having the Secretary of Treasury label China as a money manipulator, lifting restrictions on energy reserves, and canceling United Nations climate change funding are just a few that catch my attention.

Perhaps this is the year we see the money wasted on climate change be put to something useful like the rebuilding of our infrastructure. These topics have given me high hopes for what is to come in 2017.

Come on, though. Politics isn’t the most interesting part of our year, by far. The Chicago Cubs are defending their first World Series title since the 1909 season, the World Baseball Classic returns in March, the seventh season of “Game of Thrones” comes out, Nintendo is releasing a new gaming console , and there will be a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

Whether you’re into sports, television, gaming or astronomy, this year has a lot of great stuff for everyone.

We just experienced a rough year and our country is divided on a lot of issues, both political and social. It is important that this year we try and come together in order for us to continue to thrive as a country.

I am confident in the resolve of not only President-Elect Trump but that of the American people. A lot can happen in a year, and it is up to us to make this a great year for everyone, no matter your gender, race or skin color.

Personally, I’m looking forward to turning 21 this year and having a lot of fun.

We all have our own goals for the new year, and as a country we can have goals for us as a whole. We can hope to see a decline in crime and poverty this year in hopes to improve the safety and security of our country. I also have confidence Trump will resolve these issues.

This year has a lot in store for us, and if we keep looking up, we won’t be disappointed. With that being said, 2017, it’s great to have you here. We hope that you can bring us more fun, laughs and good times than your predecessor did.