NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Representative Debra Moody and Secretary of State Tre Hargett presented Tipton-Rosemark Academy student Delia Sigler with an award for her third-place finish in the 6-8th grade category in the statewide 2022 Civics Essay Contest. 

“I applaud Delia for her third-place finish in the 6-8th grade category,” said Secretary Hargett. “Delia noted in her essay that a way to make your voice heard is to vote, which is why our office created the contest, so students become more civically educated and are ready to participate in our electoral process as adults.”

For her third-place finish, Sigler received a $100 TNStars 529 College Savings Program scholarship and a visit to the State Capitol.

“Civics instruction is vital to our understanding of what a republic is and the necessity to ‘keep it,’ as Benjamin Franklin said. Congratulations to Delia, House District 81’s award winner! To all the participants, stay involved! I am grateful to Secretary of State Hargett’s commitment to engaging our K-12 students in understanding what is required to be informed and engaged citizens,” said Rep. Moody.

The 2022 Civics Essay Contest was open to all Tennessee students in public, charter, private school or home school associations in grades PreK to 12. Schools chose up to two essays from each grade level to submit for the contest.

The Secretary of State’s office launched the Civics Essay Contest in 2016. The 2022 theme was “Why Your Vote Matters.” Previous essay themes included voting, citizenship, leadership and civic duty.

The Secretary of State’s Civics Essay Contest, Anne Dallas Dudley Award, College Voter Registration Competition and Student Mock Election are part of their longstanding civics engagement efforts to prepare students to be actively engaged citizens. The Secretary of State also offers lesson plans to help teachers incorporate civic engagement and citizenship into their curriculum. The free lesson plans were created by Tennessee teachers and are based on the Tennessee Blue Book.

For more information about the Civics Essay Contest and the Secretary of State’s other civic engagement education efforts, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.