JACKSON — Secretary of State Michael Watson recently honored K-12 students and teachers during a special awards ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums.
Annunciation Catholic School eighth-graders Maddox House and Gavin Elliot were honored for their essays. House placed second, while Elliot placed third. Essays were written in Ms. Shackelford’s English Language Arts class; the essay theme was The Future of My Vote.
Isabel Keith, also an eighth-grader, received honorable mention for her essay.
The event marked the conclusion of the 2021 Promote the Vote program, a longstanding voter education effort consisting of mock elections, contests, and elections curriculum. The 2021 “Vote Local” theme encouraged students to learn about Mississippi’s municipal elections process.
“Typically, our youth only hear about voting around the time of statewide or presidential elections, so it was important for us to shine a light on the local races which have as much, if not more, of an impact on their lives,” Watson said. “Whether it was through writing or illustration, our Promote the Vote winners successfully showcased their knowledge of local offices and the importance of civic engagement.”
More than 31,000 students participated in the 2021 Promote the Vote program.
The Secretary of State’s office continued its partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) Education Department to encourage school, teacher and student participation. In addition to the art and essay contests, MPB organized a social media contest to boost participation and spark friendly competition across the state.
“Mississippi Public Broadcasting is proud to play a role in this vital program with our friends at the Secretary of State’s Office,” said Teresa Collier, MPB Interim Executive Director and Director of News. “Promote the Vote utilizes an innovative approach to instill the importance of civic engagement, the election process and the right to vote. Together, we are building the next generation of voters.”
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Related Photos
Annunciation Catholic School student Maddox House, right, poses with Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson during the 2021 Promote the Vote awards ceremony on March 31 at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. (Courtesy photo)
