Central receives Carrie Chapman Catt Award for voter registration drive

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

In its first official year of involvement, Central Community School became just one of 31 Iowa high schools to earn the Carrie Chapman Catt Award, named for the famous Iowan who was instrumental in securing passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women access to the ballot box over 100 years ago. The award is given to schools that register more than 90 percent of eligible students to vote. 

At Central, social studies teacher Mark Wiley, through his American government class, spearheaded the effort to achieve the Catt Award. Central didn’t just achieve the 90 percent required, but 100 percent of eligible students. That means all 31 seniors were successfully registered—and even 17 juniors—prior to the March cutoff date. 

“The Carrie Chapman Catt Award is a great opportunity to recognize the civic engagement of students helping get eligible voters registered to vote,” Wiley said. 

While Wiley served as a guide and organizer, he gave the majority of credit to the students, who actively engaged in the registration process. It was the students, according to Wiley, who initiated conversations with fellow classmates, made the pitches and tackled getting the registrations. 

While registering is not a difficult process, it does require a time commitment, and Wiley stated that one way Central benefited is by having fellow students involved. In his view, having a fellow student assist in the process made it more appealing for students to take the time to register.  

“I think it shows another great aspect of Central being a small school. It was easy for students to help other students register to vote because we are a small school,” Wiley added.

One of the reasons registering eligible students to vote is important is due to the low voter turnout rates of young people. While that rate rose slightly from 2016 to 2020, historically it lags behind other voting groups. As a teacher, Wiley is looking to change that. 

“The younger vote is not as prevalent as older adults. I think it takes a willingness to be informed about candidates and issues, which isn’t always a top priority,” he explained. “This is where, as a teacher, we try to develop an understanding of the U.S. constitution and how voting is a right we take for granted and, unfortunately, people don’t exercise when they have the opportunity.” 

Wiley and several students, including Charlie Weidner, Caden Erickson and Dan McGreal, were invited to tour the Iowa State Capitol and meet Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary of State Paul Pate, who presented the Catt Award during a reception at the capitol. 

In a press release, Pate said, “Last year, the senior class at Central Community Schools in Elkader stepped up to the plate and got started in the voting process by getting registered…Great job by the teachers and administrators here to engage students in civics. The students in the school are showing dedication to their community by registering to vote.”

Wiley described the visit as an unbelievable experience, noting how generous and inviting Pate and his staff were. 

Added Central Principal Aaron Reinhart, “This achievement has been something I have been interested in the past few years. This year, Mr. Wiley personally made sure we not only met the criteria but we actually had every single eligible student register. Being one of approximately 15 percent of schools that accomplished this is reflective of both our students’ willingness to reach goals set by our teachers and Mr. Wiley’s desire to ensure every student succeeds.”

“Additionally, this past summer, Central’s school board approved a new honors diploma for our students, and one of the new requirements is to register to vote,” Reinhart continued. “We look forward to making this award a tradition at Central.”

Superintendent Nick Trenkamp believes the award speaks to Central’s “commitment to educating students about the importance of voting and civil duties. I am very proud of their work and the commitment of Central students and their supportive parents.”

When it comes to the future of registration efforts, Wiley is already planning to achieve the goal again this year, in a similar fashion. The effort kicked off Sept. 26, with a goal of having all the registrations completed by the cutoff date in early March. 

“We have more students that will be aware of registration now that we’ve done it for one year,” Wiley said.