Recognized by Iowa Secretary of State for Youth Straw Poll efforts ...

Dave Schoeberlein, Social Studies teacher at Waukon High School was recently recognized by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate for organizing Waukon High School's and Waukon Middle School's participation in the statewide Iowa Youth Straw Poll for the 2016 general election. Seventh through 12th grade students voted on their choice of the 2016 general election candidates and the results were then totaled with results from other Iowa schools and reported on Secretary of State Pate's website at https://sos.iowa.gov/youth/poll/results.aspx.

"Dave Schoeberlein stepped up and registered to include our student's voices in the statewide straw poll and as a result of their efforts, students received a unique civic education experience," Secretary of State Pate remarked in his letter of recognition. "My thanks to all of the teachers and school administrators who helped make the Iowa Youth Straw Polls a huge success. More than 250 schools and 56,000 students participated statewide. We could not have done this without the efforts of the teachers. The Youth Straw Poll was a fun, hands-on learning experience for students across the state that hopefully will encourage them to become engaged in civics in their community."

Because of the leadership from Iowa teachers like Schoeberlein, the Iowa Youth Straw Poll was nationally recognized this year, winning the National Association of State Boards of Education Award for Outstanding Leadership in Voter Education from the National Parent Student Mock Election. Additionally, the social media aspect, #IAparticipate, was a national top-five finalist for a Government Social Media Award. The Iowa Youth Straw Polls were the culmination of Caucus 101 and Elections 101, which are free, online social studies curricula developed by Secretary Pate and written by Iowa teachers for Iowa students. They are available for anyone to use at Elections101.org. Pictured above, left to right, Dave Schoeberlein accepts from Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dave Herold a congratulatory certificate issued to Schoeberlein by Secretary of State Pate for his part in making the Iowa Youth Straw Poll nationally recognized. Submitted photo.