Frankfort, Ky. (June 9, 2021) – Secretary of State Michael Adams presented his Office’s first “Frederick Douglass Award” to Burgin Independent High School in Mercer County.
The school was the only one in the state to register all eligible seniors to vote. “Ronald Reagan said, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.’ The same is true of democracy,” Adams said. “It’s critical that our young people be civically literate, and that they participate in the political process. I’m grateful to Burgin Independent High School for leading the entire state in registering students to vote.”
The Frederick Douglass Award program – named in honor of the iconic social reformer and statesman – is operated in partnership with the Kentucky YMCA and ‘Inspire2Vote’. The award encourages nonpartisan peer-to-peer voter registration efforts.
“The Kentucky YMCA is dedicated to advancing civic education and opportunities throughout the Commonwealth, and works diligently to ensure those opportunities for those who need it most. We are thrilled to see our passionate youth leaders champion civic action in their local communities with such passion, fervor, and success,” explained Beth Malcom, president and CEO of Kentucky YMCA Youth Association.
Burgin High School Principal Chris LeMonds said, “We are very excited and proud that our Seniors for two years in a row have all accepted their civic duty and have all registered to vote. We are also very fortunate in that we have Ms. Jennifer Barlow in charge of getting all of our seniors to understand the civic responsibility of voting.”
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