April 27, 2026
CONTACT:
Ben Hill
615.253.1811
Ben.Hill@tnsos.gov
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Representative Andrew Farmer presented Sevier County High School the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award on Monday. The honor recognizes the school’s outstanding achievement in registering 160 student voters—100 percent of its eligible student body. Student ambassador Gracie Carmichael was recognized for her leadership and dedication to the effort.
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. Sevier County High School previously earned Gold in 2025 and 2022 and earned Silver Level recognition in 2024.
“It’s a remarkable achievement for Sevier County High to register 160 student voters and help build civic participation here in east Tennessee,” said Secretary Hargett. “This accomplishment for a second consecutive year serves as an example to the entire community, and I’m once again proud of what these Smoky Bears accomplished.”
Principal Dr. Mitchell Whaley and Social Studies Teacher Dr. Angela Wells accepted the award on behalf of the school. Senator Jessie Seal, Senator Steve Southerland, Representative Fred Atchley, and Representative Andrew Farmer are great proponents encouraging civic engagement across their districts as well as across the state. Secretary Hargett also recognized Sevier County Administrator of Elections Nathan Whaley for his support of the successful registration drive.
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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