Two Winners Named in Sticker Contest

Blaine County Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Election Manager, Savannah Wendeln announced the winners of the "I Voted" Sticker contest on the morning of February 18. Voting was open until the close of the business day on February 17, and Wendeln revealed Madi Barr and Eloise Gonzalez as victorious on Wednesday morning.

Of the 22 submissions received by the Elections Office, Wendeln explained that they were narrowed down to five in the K-5th category and five in the 9-12th grouping. The Elections Office received no entries in the 6-8th grade age group.

In the form of a poster display, these designs hung outside Wendeln's office at the courthouse since January where the public could cast a vote by affixing a round coding sticker to the poster beneath their preferred design.

After all the votes were counted, Madi Barr, a freshman at Harlem High School, had won in the high school category. Her certificate will be presented during an assembly at the school this week. At that time, she will also collect an embroidered sketchbook purchased as a prize by Wendeln.

A third grader from Zurich was the younger winner. The daughter of Levi and Carsey Gonzalez, Eloise Gonzalez will obtain her certificate during an impromptu assembly near the close of Zurich School's I Love to Read Month party on February 27. At that time, she will also accept Owlbert Learns to Vote, a picture book produced in a partnership between Charleston County Public Library and the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections. Authored by Natalie Caula Hauff, Doug Reynolds, and Cassie Welch, with a foreword written by Isaac Cramer, the book introduces young readers to the concepts of voting, community decision-making, and resilience.

Promotional materials regarding the text describe it as supporting early civic education, social studies lessons, and family discussions about democracy and civic responsibility. Additionally, the book includes a glossary of civic terms as well as discussion prompts to deepen understanding.

"Though rooted in a local partnership within Charleston County, the lessons in Owlbert Learns to Vote apply to children everywhere, teaching values of fairness, respect, and community involvement that resonate across borders. If you're looking for a children's book about voting, civic responsibility, or teaching kids about the electoral process, this is an ideal resource to inspire informed, engaged young citizens," say text developers.

In explaining the purpose of the sticker design contest, Wendeln suggested that the old design was simply in need of updating. She further expressed contentment in the student response to the contest and looks forward to the winning art being printed as stickers and handed out at polling locations on Election Day.

According to Wendeln, Barr's sticker will go to voters in precincts 3, 8, 9, and 15 while voters from precincts 1, 10, 11, and 13 will receive the sticker bearing the art by Gonzalez.