BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
Union County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Osborne had an idea several years ago to help her encourage high school seniors to register and vote in election events, both local and national. She had in mind custom, patriotic t-shirts that could be given as gifts to seniors when they came in and registered.
This year, she found a way to make the idea a reality by teaming up with Lake Butler FFA students in the Ag Sales 2 and Sales 3 classes at Union County High School to help her find a unique and attractive design. Students in these classes learn to design and produce promotional items, so, under the guidance of instructor and FFA Advisor Erin Johnson, students developed about 25 designs as entries in the 2024 Lake Butler FFA Patriotic T-shirt Contest.
The students first judged the designs, narrowing the field to the best four. Then, judges Osborne, Tax Collector Lisa Johnson, and Sheriff Brad Whitehead came to the classroom last week to pick the winner. Finalists were Jelissa Garcia, Reagan Broome, Jordan Hendricks, and Shayna Durrance, with Durrance being selected as the winner with a design that emphasized patriotism and Union County pride.
“I wanted to get some of our students involved,” Osborne told the assembled students. “You are our future leaders – one of you may be in one of our positions (the judges) one day. Many of you are pre-registered to vote and just waiting to turn 18 so you can exercise your right. I want you to know that your vote counts. In my career, I have seen elections won by as little as a single vote and many that the difference was five votes or less.”
Osborne said she was pleased with the designs and the students’ willingness to participate in the contest, which was deemed to be of service to the community. The winner received a $50 Circle-K gift card.
“I have wanted to do something like this for a long time, and I thank both the students and (Erin) Johnson for making it possible,” Osborne said.
The students will produce the t-shirts, and Osborne will give them to seniors as they register.
“We need the seniors in our community to come out and exercise their constitutional right to help select our leaders,” Osborne said. “They bring a different perspective to the selection process, one of their greatest values as voters.”
