CONTACT:
Ben Hill
615.253.1811
Ben.Hill@tnsos.gov
April 13, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For the fifth time Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett presented the prestigious Anne Dallas Dudley Award to Chester County High School. This is the third time the school has been awarded the Gold Level Award. CCHS has twice been recognized at the Silver Level. This year’s success reflects the dedication of student ambassadors, Caleb Emerson and Ellie Kate Knoell, who spearheaded the campaign to register 181 of their fellow students.
“Chester County High School is a special place, I love the importance the school places on registering these newly eligible voters,” said Secretary Hargett. “Their commitment demonstrates to other Tennesseans how easy it is to register to vote in our great state.”
Secretary Hargett also gave accolades to Administrator of Elections Kathy Vest as well as Election Commission Chairman Stephen Morris for their assistance. Superintendent Troy Kilzer, Principal Clay Murley, and School Counselor Brianne Matheney collaborated with the students to continue the school’s winning streak.
The Anne Dallas Dudley Awards are open to all Tennessee public, charter/private school, and home school associations. This award is named in honor of renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley, who helped lead the successful effort to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to give women the right to vote.
For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Awards and other civic engagement efforts offered through the Secretary of State’s office, please visit : sos.tn.gov/civics.
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