Charleston, W.Va – On Friday, March 15, WV Secretary of State Mac Warner traveled to Harrison County to present Notre Dame High School (NDHS) with the Jennings Randolph Award for Civic Engagement. Jennings Randolph Award-winning schools must lead a student effort to register to vote at least 85% of their eligible senior class. NDHS is one of only 26 schools in the state that have received this prestigious recognition for the 2023-24 school year.
Created by the WV Secretary of State’s Office in 1994, the Jennings Randolph Award commemorates our 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.
Also recognized during the Award presentation was NDHS senior and student-body president Christian Arnold. Arnold was recommended by his Principal and teacher for the designation of Honorary Secretary of State for his role in leading the voter registration effort.
In attendance with Secretary Warner were Harrison County Clerk John Spires and State Senator Ben Queen. The presentation was especially important for Clerk Spires, who is a proud NDHS graduate.