Robert Torres, at left, acting Pennsylvania secretary of state, gives award to, from left, Abigail Pruce, a Seneca Valley junior, Rebekah Grinnen, Seneca Valley teacher, Heather Perella, Seneca Valley teacher, Katherine Schrett, Seneca Valley junior, and Mark Korcinsky, Seneca Valley Senior High School principal.

JACKSON TWP — Teacher Rebekah Grinnen and her students at Seneca Valley Senior High School were honored Tuesday morning with the Governor's Civic Engagement Award, for a highly successful voter registration event they held last month.

Robert Torres, acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State, presented the award and certificates to Grinnen and 54 students for registering 450 students to vote during an art gala and film festival April 6. The drive registered 93 percent of eligible students in the school, the most in the state, Torres said.

“Voting is one of our most fundamental rights as citizens,” Torres said. “Your vote truly is your voice as an American citizen. And now that 450 of you are registered to vote, you can be sure that voice is heard.”

Schools that reached 85 percent voter registration among their eligible student population received the gold-level award.

The Governor's Civic Engagement Award program recognizes the efforts of student leaders to educate, engage and inform their fellow students about how to get involved in the voting process through student-led voter registration drives.

The program is a combined effort between the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and State and Inspire U.S., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports student voter registration programs.

Katherine Schrett and Abigail Pruce, both juniors, also received certificates for their roles as student managers of the event. Abigail said the day of the event was hectic, but it was exciting seeing the number of people they registered.

“It feels really good. It was a lot of fun,” Katherine said. “A lot of them didn't even realize they had to register. It helped inspire them to vote to be a part of a public service.”

Grinnen, who teaches government, economics and philosophy, organized the SV Votes Art Gala and Film Festival that was held April 6 in the senior high school. Heather Perella, also a social studies teacher, helped with the event and also was on hand Tuesday to receive the award.

There were tables for students to fill out the paperwork to register to vote and pledges for students who were not eligible to register yet. Students could register if they are 18 or will turn 18 on or before the date of the next election, which is the May 15 primary.

Student art was also displayed, including interactive activities and a film festival with short films made by students.

Grinnen said the goal was to make the process fun to get kids excited about voting and being involved in the political process. Students want to have a voice, she said.

“It can be fun. Civic engagement is fun,” she said. “It got some of the kids thinking that they could run for office.”