Submitted by the Thurston County Auditor’s Office
Leading up to Good Citizenship Day in January, the Thurston County Auditor’s Office invites high school students in Thurston County to submit a 300-word essay on what being a good citizen means to them.
Essays will be judged on accuracy, relevance and inspiration. Results for the winning essay and honorable mentions will be announced on Good Citizenship Day (Friday, January 15, 2016). The winner of the contest will receive a $50 gift card to Limeberry, and his or her essay will be published in the November General Election’s Local Voters’ Pamphlet.
“Sadly, young voters have the lowest turnout rate in elections,” said Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall. “We hope that programs like Good Citizenship Day will get young people thinking about the importance of voting and participating in the civic process.”
Local high school students may submit their essays to elections@co.thurston.wa.us no later than January 8, 2016.
Washington State public schools recognize Good Citizenship Day on every January 16 (or the preceding Friday, if on a weekend), and teachers prepare lessons on voting, elections, political fact checking and other citizenship-related topics. Any teacher or school administrator may download citizenship lesson plans at the Washington Secretary of State’s website: www.sos.gov/elections/civics.
