Winning slogan, “Don’t stay home and think you might. Go vote now, the time is right!”
Three Kentucky middle school students’ original slogans were chosen by the public to help promote voting in Kentucky in the Secretary of State’s 25th annual Slogan Contest.
van Chaney, an eighth grader at North Middle School in Henderson County, submitted the winning slogan, “Don’t stay home and think you might. Go vote now, the time is right!” Chaney will receive a $1,000 cash prize for the first-place finish.
Nathan El Farrah, a seventh grader at Beth Haven Christian School in Louisville, won second place and $600 for the slogan, “If you want a say, vote today!” Third place and $400 will go to Lucas Young, a seventh grader at Benton Middle School in Marshall County, for his submission: “There's nothing sweeter than to elect your leader!”
The slogan contest was created in 1988 to inspire students to be active and informed citizens, with particular emphasis on election-related issues. Middle school students are invited to submit original, attention-grabbing slogans that communicate the importance of registering to vote, voting and/or otherwise participating in elections.
“The slogan contest is a great way to get students interested in our elections process even before they are eligible to cast a ballot,” said Grimes. “I am proud of all of the students who chose to participate. Their messages have already reached people all across the Commonwealth.”
The monetary awards were contributed by KEA and KEA Retired, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Department of Education, the University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center and the EKU Center for Appalachian Regional Engagement and Stewardship (CARES).
Secretary Grimes will present the awards to the winners individually.
Winners of the essay contest, which is open to students in grades 9 through 12, were previously announced.
