Press Releases
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Secretary of State Tre Hargett Announces Clinch School as Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award Winner for Voter Registration
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett recently announced that Clinch School has won the prestigious Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award for registering 100 percent of eligible students to vote. “Achieving 100 percent voter registration clearly shows Clinch School’s commitment to being committed citizens,” said Secretary Hargett. “We appreciate these students, the faculty, and staff at Clinch School and the Hawkins County Election Commission for their continued partnership in increasing voter registration within their communities.” Forty-one Tennessee schools earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award, registering 100 percent of eligible students. Eighteen schools earned the Anne Dallas Dudley Silver Award, registering at least 85 percent. “It is incredibly exciting to recognize Clinch School as an Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Award winner,” said Hawkins County Administrator of Elections Crystal Rogers. “Their participation in this program and dedication to becoming civically engaged citizens demonstrate they are prepared to lead our community. We are proud of their accomplishments and optimistic about Hawkins County’s future.” The Anne Dallas Dudley Awards are open to all Tennessee public, charter/private school, and home school associations. This award is named in honor of renowned Tennessee suffragist Anne Dallas Dudley, who helped lead the successful effort to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On Aug. 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to give women the right to vote. For more information about the Anne Dallas Dudley Awards and other civic engagement efforts offered through the Secretary of State’s office, please visit sos.tn.gov/civics.
Rogersville 4th of July Celebration 2025
Although the Rogersville 4th of July Celebration is under new management, theCelebration Committee will once again raise funds for the traditional event and fireworksshow. After the retirement of Dr. Blaine Jones and Mark DeWitte in March of 2025,Rogersville natives, John and Beth Metz took the helm to ensure that the event continued.“Beth and I felt that this event was too important to our town to risk it not happening. Itbrings thousands of people to the area for a fun day of activities and celebrations. It means alot to our community economically” Metz said.Fundraising is currently underway, and the size of the event will depend on theamount of funds raised. “We took this challenge on 90 days before the event, so it will be adaunting task to get everything pulled together. We are up for the challenge, and we willprovide as much to the community as we possibly can,” Metz said. Currently, DJ Ridge isslated to be in the park beginning at 4pm to provide music and set the vibe for the evening.“If we have enough funds coming in and we see that all the bills can be paid, we will add acouple local bands this year. We want to grow the event back to somewhat of a resemblanceto years past, but it may take some time,” Metz said. There will also be food trucks andbounce houses for the kids. Starting at 9:30pm, Dynamic Effects and Fireworks Companywill once again put on a huge fireworks display. Bob and Garret Smith have beeninstrumental in the success of this event year after year. It will be synchronized to musicbroadcast via WRGS Radio.Rogersville Parks and Recreation Department Director, Matthew Elkins hasconfirmed they will be hosting the Firecracker Boom and Zoom 5K Road Race on themorning of July 4th. More information will be released in the coming weeks. This event willbe open for all ages and skill levels. In conjunction with this event, the Park and Rec isstarting a FREE Couch to 5K program to start training beginning runners and preparingthem for this event. Beginning Thursday, May 1, any interested participants can meet at 6pmat the walking track in front of the stage at Rogersville City Park where a certified fitnesstrainer will begin training participants on how to build up their stamina and bodies tocomplete a 5K race. The program will meet every Thursday at 6pm on the walking track totrain for the race on July 4th. For more information about this program, please call theRogersville Parks and Recreation office at 423-272-2545. Elkins also confirmed that theannual 3v3 basketball tournament will be held that same morning.
Historians in Training Jr. Archivist Summer Camp at Tennessee State Library & Archives Brings History to Life June 9th - 13th
The Tennessee State Library & Archives is once again bringing history to life for all 8 to 12-year-old students as part of its annual Historians in Training: Junior Archivist Summer Camp, June 9-13, 2025.“Historians in Training is an affordable, summertime opportunity for students to learn more about Tennessee history,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “This is one of the Library & Archives’ favorite events every year, and we are excited to offer a fun learning environment for this year’s campers!”The week-long adventure runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the cost to attend is $125 per camper, with an additional charge of $10 for before and aftercare, respectively. Campers will explore historical topics and people while learning how archivists care for and protect historical documents. Attendees will also experience a series of hands-on activities, games, and field trips to nearby local historical sites.The full-day summer camp, presented by the Library & Archives Education Outreach team, will take place at the Library & Archives, located on the northeast corner of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N., in Nashville.Parents can register their children for camp by visiting https://sos.tn.gov/tsla/summercamp.The Library & Archives, a division of the Department of State, is the state of Tennessee’s premier genealogical research facility. It collects and preserves books, journals, maps, photographs, records, and other documents of historical and reference value focusing on Tennessee and its citizens. The Library & Archives is also home to many irreplaceable historical documents, including Tennessee's three Constitutions.
Family-Friendly Tennessee Statehood Day Celebration Set for May 31 on Bicentennial Mall Campus
To celebrate Tennessee’s 229th Birthday one day early, the Tennessee State Library & Archives, the Tennessee State Museum, and Bicentennial Mall State Park are hosting free, family-friendly events as part of the 2025 Statehood Day Celebration on Saturday, May 31, 2025. “Statehood Day at the Library & Archives provides a unique opportunity for visitors to view Tennessee’s three original constitutions,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “These documents remain the foundation of our modern form of government, and they are only on display once a year at this celebration. We encourage all to join us for a day filled with enjoyable activities.” Statehood Day Celebration events at the Tennessee State Library & Archives begin at 10:00 a.m. Tennessee’s three priceless original constitutions will be presented, displayed, and guarded by members of the Highway Patrol’s Honor Guard during the opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The Library & Archives will also host living history interpreters and other family-friendly activities throughout the day, and food trucks will be stationed nearby. Behind-the-scenes tours, including stops at the robotic retrieval system and blast freezer, begin at 11:30 a.m. Tour space is limited, and reservations may be made on the day of the event. The day concludes at 2:00 p.m. “The staff at the Library & Archives, the State Museum, and Bicentennial Mall State Park have done an incredible job planning a tremendous celebration for our 229th birthday,” said Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist Jamie Ritter. “We hope families from across Tennessee join us for a fun, educational, and historic celebration on the Bicentennial Mall State Park Campus.”The Tennessee State Museum will open at 10:00 a.m. to the public and offer highlight tours, Storytime with reigning Miss Tennessee Carley Vogel, period games on the front lawn, and a cupcake celebration. Highlight Tours will be provided at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Vogel will read in the Children’s Gallery at 10:30 a.m. The cupcake celebration, which will include Vogel reading the Tennessee State poem, “Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee” by Commander William Porter Lawrence, will begin at noon in the Museum’s Grand Hall. “The state’s commitment to its history takes center stage here at the foot of Capitol Hill, with Bicentennial Mall, the Library & Archives, and State Museum all connected on one campus,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum. “If you’re interested in Tennessee history, come see us. Tennessee Statehood Day is our annual opportunity to showcase that commitment and the valuable partnership between our three institutions. We look forward to having everyone join us.”Park rangers will also offer a guided tour of the Bicentennial State Park at 10:00 a.m. To commemorate the day, pick up your “Passport to Tennessee History.” Stop by the Tennessee State Library & Archives, the Tennessee State Museum, and the Visitor’s Center at Bicentennial Mall State Park. Get your book stamped at all locations to receive 10 percent off at the Bicentennial Mall and Tennessee State Museum gift shops.For more information or a schedule of the day’s events at each location, visit: https://www.tnvacation.com/events/nashville-tennessee-statehood-day-2025.