May 4, 2026
CONTACT:
Ben Hill
615.253.1811
Ben.Hill@tnsos.gov
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Monday Secretary of State Tre Hargett, alongside Senator Todd Gardenhire, presented Bledsoe County High School their fourth Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. The award recognizes the outstanding achievement of registering 68 student voters, which is 100 percent of their eligible student body.
“I’m consistently impressed by the commitment of Bledsoe County students and faculty,” said Secretary Hargett. “To achieve Gold Level status for the fourth time is quite the achievement, and this recognition serves an example to all Bledsoe Countians.”
The Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award represents the highest distinction in Tennessee’s student voter registration initiative, honoring schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to civic duty. Government Teacher Derek Harvey accepted the plaque on behalf of the school. Director of Schools Dr. Kristy Walker and Principal Matt Ridley were in attendance as well. Bledsoe County was also awarded the Silver Level in 2022.
Senator Gardenhire, as well as Representative Ron Travis, are strong advocates for civic engagement throughout their time serving in the state legislature. Bledsoe County Administrator of Elections Lisa Wheeler provided support throughout the registration initiative.
The Anne Dallas Dudley Awards program is open to Tennessee public, charter, private and homeschool associations. It is named for Anne Dallas Dudley, who helped lead the successful effort to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Tennessee became the 36th and final state to ratify the amendment on Aug. 18, 1920.
For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Awards and other civic engagement initiatives, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.
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