NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Greenback Public School earned the Secretary of State's Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award by registering 100% of the eligible students who are 18 or older to vote and Loudon High School earned the Silver Level Award by registering 85% of eligible students to vote.

"Congratulations to Greenback Public School for reaching 100% voter registration and Loudon High School for reaching 85% voter registration," said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. "I appreciate the commitment to increasing voter registration shown by the Loudon County Election Commission and the students, faculty and staff of these two schools."

The Secretary of State's office launched the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program for the 2021-2022 school year to promote voter registration among Tennessee high school students. High schools that register 100% of the eligible students earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. High schools that register at least 85% of the eligible students earn the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award.

“We are extremely proud of Greenback High School for achieving the 100% goal for registering all the eligible students to vote. Greenback School and the staff is great to work with each year in registering the seniors,” said Loudon County Administrator of Elections Susan Harrison. “At Loudon High School, Ms. Jennifer Brewster works tirelessly each year to help promote voter registration and student worker participation.” 

All Tennessee public, charter or private school or home school association can participate in the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program. This year 18 Tennessee high schools in 12 counties earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award. Eighteen high schools representing 13 counties earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Level Award.

"Greenback Public School is extremely proud to be presented the Anna Dallas Dudley Award as we were able to achieve 100% voter registration from our qualifying students,” said Greenback Public School Principal Michael R. Casteel. “However, I am even more proud that our students know their vote counts in the governing of our state and country. Plus, they understand votes are power to make appropriate change for all."

The award is named in honor of renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley who helped lead the successful effort to get the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to give women the right to vote.

The Anne Dallas Dudley Award is part of the Secretary of State's civics engagement initiative to increase voter registration in Tennessee and prepare students to be actively engaged citizens. For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Award and other civic engagement efforts from the Tennessee Department of State, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.