Three middle school students were voted by the public as having coined the best slogans to promote voting in Kentucky.

Kassidy Kobb, a sixth-grade home school student in Muhlenberg County, submitted the winning slogan, “Make a choice. Use your voice. Vote!” For her first-place finish, Kobb will receive a $1,000 cash prize, which will be presented to her at the Civic Health Initiative roundtable at Henderson Community and Technical College on April 9th.

Second place and a $600 award go to Victoria Kelly Brunson, a seventh grader at Northern Middle School in Pulaski County, for the slogan, “Be the change, to see the change. VOTE!”

Tiarra Adkins, who is in the sixth grade at Olmsted Academy South in Jefferson County, won third place and a $400 prize for her submission: “Voting is showing you care. [Clap twice.]”

An honorable mention was awarded to Jessica Bailey, a sixth grader at Wallins Elementary in Harlan County, for her slogan, “We the people – Need to vote!”

The slogan contest was created in 1988 to inspire students to be active and informed citizens, with particular emphasis on election-related issues. Middle school students are invited to submit original, attention-grabbing slogans that communicate the importance of registering to vote, voting, and/or otherwise participating in elections.

“The slogan contest is a unique opportunity to engage students in the democratic process even before they are eligible to vote,” said Secretary of State Allison Lundergan Grimes. “I am proud of all participants for their involvement. Their messages have already reached people all across the state, with more votes cast this year than any prior year.”

The monetary awards were contributed by KEA and KEA Retired, Harp Enterprises, Election Systems & Software, the University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center and Kentuckiana Election Service Co. Secretary Grimes will present the awards to the winners individually.

Winners of the essay contest, which is open to students in grades 9 through 12, were previously announced.