Email from West Virginia Secretary of State

From The Office of

WV Secretary of State

Mac Warner

MEDIA NOTICE:

February 23, 2024

Blair and Walker are Honorary Secretaries of State;

Warner recognizes two Meadow Bridge High School seniors for their effort to register classmates to vote

Charleston, W.Va – On Friday, February 23rd, WV Secretary of State Mac Warner hosted two student leaders from Meadow Bridge High School (MBHS) as his honored guests at the State Capitol.

Jonathan Blair and Daron Walker – both members of the 2024 graduating class at MBHS – were recommended by their principal to represent their high school as Honorary Secretaries of State for their efforts to register members of the senior class to vote. Nominations for Honorary Secretaries of State are only accepted by those high schools that qualify for the Jennings Randolph Award. To qualify for the Award, a West Virginia high school must host a student-led effort to register at least 85% of their eligible senior class to vote.

Started by the WV Secretary of State's Office in 1994, the Jennings Randolph Award for Civic Engagement commemorates West Virginia's late U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph’s legacy as the Father of the 26th Amendment. One of the defining moments in voting rights history, the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971. The Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Meadow Bridge High School has qualified for the Jennings Randolph Award for 30 consecutive years, not missing a single year since the Award program began.

WVSOS Deputy Chief of Staff Mike Queen, Jonathan Blair, Daron Walker,

Fayette County Clerk Michelle Holly MBHS Teacher Corey Woodrum and

WVSOS Field Representative Lee Dean

"With the designation of Honorary Secretaries of State, Blair and Walker have proven to their school, community, and state that they are committed to seeing more young people in West Virginia voting and playing an active role in our government," said Secretary of State Mac Warner. "Fewer than 30 high schools in the state will receive this prestigious recognition for the 2023-24 school year."

In addition to a tour of the WV Secretary of State’s Office and the State Capitol, Senator Jack David Woodrum recognized Blair and Walker during the State Senate floor session. Senator Woodrum is a representative of Monroe County and serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Government Organization.

Photos from today's visit can be downloaded here:

Media Contact:

Landon Palmer

Assistant Communications Director

304-549-4270

lpalmer@wvsos.gov

Visit Our Office Online at wvsos.gov

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