d e m o c r a c y

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

2009 National Association of Secretaries of State
Medallion Awards

 Kristie Bush, Teacher, Montpelier Union Elementary School

Kristie Bush has been chosen as a recipient of this year’s Medallion Award because of her leadership and longstanding commitment to promoting civics education in her classroom, her school and in the state.  As one of the founding board members of Kids Voting and then Vermont Votes for Kids, she was instrumental in developing and promoting Vermont’s mock election programs.  In addition to continuing to be a leader in her school and a role model for other schools in promoting mock elections, she has developed a Veterans’ Day program that is creative, unique and engaging for her students and highlights the number of Veterans in our lives and the importance of their service.

The Honorable Don Collins, former State Senator for Franklin County

Don Collins was chosen as a recipient of this year’s Medallion Award because of his lifelong commitment to educating Vermont students to be good citizens.  As a teacher, administrator and legislator he has shown outstanding commitment and leadership in promoting civics education.

WPTZ Television, Colchester, Vermont 

WPTZ has been chosen as a recipient of this year’s Medallion Award because of News Channel 5 and WPTZ’s outstanding coverage of the 2008 election through the Your Vote Your Voice series.  WPTZ’s commitment to educating citizens about their civic obligations and its affirmation of the media’s important role in our democracy is worthy of special recognition.

Vermont Secretary of State Enduring Democracy Awards

Dennis Bonanza, Teacher, Vermont Community High School

As the civics teacher at the Department of Corrections’ Community High School of Vermont, Dennis assist students in their academic, social and vocational successes. His passion for civic engagement and dedication to his students fueled his determination to provide a voter registration event at Marble Valley Correctional facility to register eligible inmates to vote.

Bill Hoar, Barnet Town Clerk and Treasurer

As the Barnet Town Clerk/Treasurer, Bill has been a willing mentor to countless other clerks and members of various public service boards. Under his quiet and understated leadership, Barnet was one of the first towns to adopt the vote tabulator system to ensure accuracy and efficiency in election results. Bill will be missed as he begins his well-deserved retirement!

Toni Little, Resident Advisor, Johnson State College

Toni is being honored for her efforts in coordinating a campus-wide voter registration event at Johnson State College.  While campus-based voter registration was popular all over Vermont this election year, as far as we know, Toni coordinated the only completely student-initiated, campus-wide registration event.

Ashley Wheeler, Miss Vermont 2008

As Miss Vermont, Ashley took the initiative to figure out how and where she could use her position to help educate Vermonters about the importance of voting.  During the past election cycle, armed with buttons, stickers, and voter registration forms, Ashley helped Vermonters do their part for democracy.  

Democracy Awards