School honored with Jennings Randolph Award

PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It’s one of the core guarantees in our Constitution: the right to vote.

One group of seniors in high school is being recognized for their commitment to participate in our democracy.

There are nine students who make up their senior class, all of whom are now registered to vote.

Wednesday morning, the school was honored with the Jennings Randolph Award, which recognizes high schools in West Virginia that have registered at least 85 percent of their senior class to vote.

“They’re proud to be citizens,” said David Spencer, the principal. “It was rather easy for our students to want to sign up to vote.”

The achievement led to recognition at the school from West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner.

Also recognized as honorary Secretary of State students were seniors Bryson Childers and Maci Atwell for their efforts to engage young adults to register to vote.

“I just think it shows that our kids understand the value and importance of wanting to vote (to) make a difference here in our country,” Spencer said. “It shows they care about the future.”

Spencer says some seniors had already registered to vote before the school started applying for the award -- a testament to their commitment to participate in the electoral process.

According to the Kaiser Family Fund, 69 percent of eligible people are registered to vote, but only 52 percent of registered voters actually participating in the electoral process.