NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middleton High 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.

"Our office created the Anne Dallas Dudley Award program because we believe our state and nation are stronger when all eligible voters participate in the electoral process," said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. "Congratulations to the Middleton High School students, faculty and staff and the Hardeman County Election Commission for reaching 100% voter registration."

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.

"I am so very excited that Middleton High School is one of the recipients of the Gold Level Anne Dallas Dudley Award," said Hardeman County Administrator of Elections Amber Moore. "The students were very attentive the day I went to their school to get them registered. We are very fortunate that the Hardeman County Election Commission will have a lot of these students working with us on Election Day. I appreciate Middleton High’s Karen Lanier for her efforts in getting these young people ready for the future, and a very special thank you to Secretary Hargett for these programs to encourage young people to get involved in the election process. Every individual needs to be registered and know that every vote counts. Congratulations Middleton High School!"

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.

"Mrs. Anne Dallas Dudley was an incredible civic leader and Tennessee resident who fought for women's right to vote," said Middleton High School Principal Darlene Cardwell and the 2022 senior class. "Middleton High School is honored beyond words to be able to accept this award in her name. It is our belief that the right to vote is not only a privilege but a responsibility. We are so glad that our youngest generation will be able to inhabit a country where they can have a hand in choosing their leaders."

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.