News Summary
Northview Senior Academy and Sevier County High School have successfully registered all eligible students to vote, earning the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award. The schools were recognized for their commitment to civic engagement and voter registration, joining a select group of high schools in Tennessee that have met this milestone. The award ceremony highlighted the importance of encouraging young people to participate in the democratic process, showcasing the role of education in fostering informed citizens.
Kodak, TN
Northview Senior Academy and Sevier County High School have achieved a remarkable milestone by registering 100% of their eligible students to vote, a significant accomplishment recognized with the prestigious Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award. This honor was presented by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett on May 12, 2025, during an award ceremony that celebrated the commitment of these institutions to promoting civic engagement among young people.
The Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award is designed to encourage voter registration among high school students who will be 18 years old by the time the next election occurs. By achieving full voter registration, both schools earned the Gold Level Award, while schools that manage to register at least 85% of eligible students qualify for a Silver Level status. In total, 59 high schools across Tennessee received this year’s voter registration awards, with 41 earning Gold and 18 receiving Silver.
In East Tennessee alone, eleven schools achieved Gold recognition, showcasing a strong commitment to fostering a culture of voting among youth. Prominent among these are Bristol Tennessee High School and Clinch School, while four schools, including Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute and Happy Valley High School, received Silver recognition.
Secretary Hargett emphasized that registering to vote is a fundamental aspect of participating in democracy. He highlighted the inspirational role these students play by taking the initiative to register and encouraging their peers to do the same. Northview Senior Academy, in particular, is notable for its repeat success in obtaining the award, thereby establishing a tradition of civic engagement within its student body.
A key figure in driving the voter registration effort at Northview was Student Ambassador Lucas Weaver. He actively engaged with his classmates to emphasize the significance of exercising their right to vote and to assist them through the registration process. The involvement of student ambassadors and peers is a vital component of the program’s success, demonstrating how young people can have a meaningful impact on their communities.
The recognition of Northview Senior Academy and Sevier County High School serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of civic duty and the role of education in shaping future voters. The program is open to all public, charter, private, and homeschool associations throughout Tennessee, thereby widening the scope of impact across the state.
This award is named in honor of Anne Dallas Dudley, a Tennessee suffragist who played a crucial role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Her legacy serves as an inspiration for today’s youth to engage actively in the democratic process, ensuring that their voices are heard in future elections.
The recognition of these schools signifies a broader movement towards increasing awareness and participation in electoral processes among young voters. As civic engagement initiatives continue to grow and evolve, the efforts made by Northview Senior Academy and Sevier County High School highlight the potential of educational institutions to serve as pivotal platforms for fostering informed and responsible citizens.
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Additional Resources
- WATE: Two Sevier County Schools Honored for 100% Voter Registration
- Wikipedia: Voter Registration
- WATE: Sevier County High School Joins Northview Senior Academy in Achieving 100% Voter Registration
- Google Search: Voter Registration in Tennessee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: 19th Amendment
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
