History
Begun locally in 1996 by the News & Record, Kids Voting—
Guilford County is part of
Kids Voting USA, which originated in Tempe , Arizona in 1988
to impact increasing voter apathy. The program involves
educating students in kindergarten through high school about the
voting process. This teaching is done in the classroom through
special activities developed by Kids Voting USA and provided by
Kids Voting—Guilford County to all the Guilford County Schools's
public schools, over 20 private schools in the county, and any
interested home schoolers. Additionally, on Election Day,
students have the opportunity to vote on many of the same
candidates who are on the adult ballot. After an impressive
local beginning when over 22,000 students voted for president,
Kids Voting – Guilford County has organized student elections
annually for every November general election.
Kids Voting— Guilford County is affiliated with
Kids Voting North Carolina and is now one of 18 programs in
North Carolina. Locally, Kids Voting— Guilford County partners
with the Guilford County Schools and the Guilford County
Elections Office.
The local program has received Kids Voting USA's highest
award for affiliates on two separate occasions and is currently
celebrating its 14th year serving the Guilford County community.
..................................................................................................................................
Mission
Kids Voting— Guilford County strives to prepare young people
to be educated, engaged citizens in order to secure the future
of our democracy.
Does It Work? Yes!
Kids Voting research conducted by Dr. Bruce D. Merrill, Ph.D.,
Director, Media Research Program, The Walter Cronkite School of
Journalism & Telecommunication at Arizona State University,
showed an increase in adult voter turnout averaging 5% in 1996
in communities with Kids Voting.
The research by Dr. Steven Chaffee, Ph.D., the Janet M. Peck
Professor of International Communication at Stanford University
, indicated that there is a “trickle up” effect, with parents
becoming more interested and knowledgeable about the elections
process because of their children's interest, especially in
lower socioeconomic groups.
Additionally, the program causes increased discussion and
interaction between the student and parent(s) and increased
interest in reading newspapers and in watching TV news.
..................................................................................................................................
2011 Board of Directors
-
President:
Maria Hicks-Few,
Owner/CEO of HRforU
-
Vice President:
Dona Pickett,
Community Affairs, WFMY News 2
-
Secretary:
Rebecca Buffington,
Community Volunteer
-
Treasurer:
Barry Carpenter,
Investment Advisor, Old North State Trust
-
At Large:
Connie Brown,
Quality Assurance Specialist, The Guilford Center
-
At Large:
Sol Kovach,
Strategic Communications, Lincoln Financial Group
-
Members:
o
Grant Almond, Attorney, Keziah, Gates &
Samet, LLP
o
Brenda Elliott, Executive Director,
Student Services, GCS
o
Jim McGoldrick, District Manager,
Office Depot
o
Deena Qubein, CEO, McNeill Lehman
o
Sonya Ricks, Professor, NC A&T
o
Rebecca Roberts, Project Manager,
American Express
o
Anne Sheffield, Teacher, Lincoln Middle
School
o
Chuck Somers, High Point Jaycees
o
Elaine Swift, Community Volunteer
o
Pat Vreeland, retired Executive
Director Kids Voting—Guilford County
o
Kwame Williams, Senior Financial
Analyst, Polo Ralph Lauren
-
Liasons:
o
Charlie Collicutt, Deputy Director,
Guilford County Board of Elections
o
Darlene Garrett, Guilford County Board
of Education
o
Katie Sayani, Guilford County PTA
Council
-
Student Members:
o
Mousa Alshanteer, High Point Central HS
o
Kenya Smith, GTCC Middle College
2011
Board of Advisors
-
Mr. Mr. Robert Brown; B & C
Enterprises
-
Mr. Hayes Clement; retired CPA
-
Mr. Tom Dayvault; President High
Point Chamber of Commerce
-
Ms. Dot Kearns; Guilford County
Board of Elections
-
Mr. Al Lineberry; Hanes-Lineberry
Funeral Services
-
Judge Lawrence McSwain; retired
juvenile court judge
-
Ms. Judy Mendenhall; former
President High Point Chamber of Commerce
-
Mr. Jim Morgan; Morgan Herring
Morgan Green & Rosenblutt, LLP
-
Ms. Sheby Luck Newton; News &
Record
-
Mr. Robin Saul; News & Record
-
Ms. Susan Schwartz; The Cemala
Foundation
-
Mr. Ralph Shelton; Southeast
Fuels, Inc.
-
Ms. Judy Wicker; retired, News &
Record
..................................................................................................................................
Staff
Ms. Diane Lowe, Executive Director
Ms. Sheila Siler, Administrative Assistant
Email comments and suggestions to
info@kidsvotingguilford.org.
Return to Top
|
