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What were you doing when you were 21 years old? As Matt Galka tells us, a UCF student now in the Florida House will be voting on legislation ranging from guns to insurance and everything in between.

She’s barely able to legally drink alcohol…but 21-year-old Amber Mariano will be voting on state policy at the Florida Capitol.

“I’ve been waiting for that day when I can walk in, see my name on the plaque, that’s when it’s going to really sink in I think, it’s a dream come true,” she said.

Mariano campaigned while attending UCF and knocked on doors in between writing papers and taking tests.

The Pasco County Republican narrowly defeated Democrat Amanda Murphy by 699 votes.  She now hopes to make a splash by focusing on water issues.

“I really want to work hard to bring some money back to my district to fix all the flooding issues. It’s really bad where I’m from. After a simple rainstorm, we flood out,” she said.

And the youthful house member already has some senior support.

“Diversity is always good, and I actually know Amber well because she’s from my county. She grew up in a political family, her father’s been a county commissioner. I think if there’s a 21 year old out there that is prepared, she probably fits the bill,” said House Speaker Designate Richard Corcoran.

While Mariano represents the youngest of the incoming Florida House lawmakers, the oldest Freshman member will be only 46 years older than her.

Other notable young elected officials – Doyle Conner was elected at age 21 to the Florida House and went on to become Agriculture Commissioner for three decades. Current Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam was elected to the Florida House at 22.