DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has announced a record high 31 schools qualified for the Carrie Chapman Catt Award this school year. The award goes to schools that register at least 90 percent of their eligible students to vote. Nearly 3,400 high school students registered this year in conjunction with the Catt Award initiative. Secretary Pate created the award in 2019 to encourage voter registration in Iowa high schools. 22 schools qualified in 2021, and 18 qualified in 2020. Eight schools qualified for the award for the third straight year (denoted with three asterisks***). 11 schools qualified for the award for the second time (denoted with two asterisks**).
“I’m thrilled to see so many young people stepping up and taking the first step in the voting process by getting registered,” Secretary Pate said. “Great job by the teachers and administrators at these 31 schools by engaging the students in civics. I tell young people all the time, the best way to make your voice heard is by voting, and to do that, you need to get registered.” Secretary Pate plans to visit each of the 31 schools to present them with the Carrie Chapman Catt Award trophy. Additionally, 10 Iowa schools registered more than 70 percent of eligible students, and 17 registered more than 50 percent. Inspire2Vote collaborated with Secretary Pate’s office to assist schools with their voter registration efforts.
Among the list of the 31 schools that earned the award is the following…..
- Diagonal Community School (Diagonal)
- Ar-We-Va High School (Westside)
- Fremont-Mills High School (Tabor)
- Mount Ayr High School (Mount Ayr)**
Area schools that registered at least 70% of eligible students (10) will receive a commemorative banner recognizing their achievement, include:
- West Monona High School (Onawa)
- Underwood High School (Underwood)
- Westwood High School (Sloan)
Schools that registered at least 50% of eligible students (17) will receive a personalized certificate from the Iowa Secretary of State, include:
- Treynor High School (Treynor)
- Harlan High School (Harlan)
- Atlantic High School (Atlantic)
- South Page High School (College Springs)
- Southwest Valley High School (Corning)