Sec. Of State Present Livingston Academy With Voter Registration Award

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett visited Livingston Academy Tuesday to present the Anne Dallas Dudley Voter Registration Award.

Hargett said that the award was started to try and incentivize schools to get their students to vote. He said through the work of two students and their instructor, the school had registered 100 percent of eligible students to vote.

“I’m not really that surprised by it honestly, there have been a lot of great leaders who have come through here over the years,” Hargett said. “And I think that makes a statement, sets an example for the rest of Overton County about what they expect out of their future and I think we’ll see a lot of great leaders continue to come out of this high school.”

Hargett said that only 14 schools in the entire state achieved this designation. He said out of the 14, LA had the highest percentage of eligible voters registered.

And the work did not stop at the award’s March 31st deadline. Hargett said Economics Teacher Jodi McDonald continued to register voters and currently has all eligible students registered as of Tuesday.

“I think it’s important for young kids to exercise their right to vote,” McDonald said. “So I want to make sure every opportunity to do so.”

Hargett said he is proud that so much effort went into this designation.

“You think about trying to get 100 percent of anything it’s a tall order,” Hargett said. “So when you think about only 14 schools in the entire state achieved this designation, and a school of this size was able to do it, it’s hard. I’m sure Ms. McDonald and these student leaders were really having to chase people down to make sure they got that designation. You think about all the high schools in the state and only 14 achieved it? I think it speaks for itself.”