Secretary of State
Benton Middle School Student Receives Award for Voting Slogan

On April 20, 2012, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes presented a $300 cash award to Tyler Lawrence, a seventh-grader at Benton Middle School in Marshall County, for winning second place in her office’s annual slogan contest. The slogan contest was created in 1988 to inspire students to be active and informed citizens, with particular emphasis on election-related issues. 

Lawrence’s slogan, “Drop the remote, put on your coat and go vote!” garnered the second most votes in an online poll. Grimes visited Lawrence in the classroom of the teacher, Mr. Harvey, who encouraged Lawrence to enter the contest. She congratulated Lawrence on his achievement and thanked him for helping spread the important message that “nothing is so important that it should stop us from exercising the right to vote.”

Grimes, who is the Commonwealth’s chief advocate for civic education, reminded Lawrence and his classmates that, “in a democratic society, voting is how we make ourselves heard.” She encouraged them all to stay informed and involved as they reach voting age.

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