Apr 22, 2026
On Wednesday, Central Decatur Business Law students traveled to the Iowa State Capitol to be recognized for their outstanding civic engagement, earning the Carrie Chapman Catt Award presented by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate. The group received a trophy in honor of their achievement—successfully registering 98% of their senior class to vote.
During their visit, students were personally given a tour of the Capitol by Secretary Pate before walking to the State Historical Society building in downtown Des Moines for the official awards ceremony. Throughout the day, students represented both their school and Decatur County with pride, embodying the RED Way—being respectful, excellent, and dedicated.
The recognition stems from a voter registration drive the students organized in December as part of their Business Law class. In preparation, students worked with the Decatur County Auditor, Stephanie Daughton, gaining firsthand insight into the voting process and the role local officials play in administering elections. They visited the courthouse, met with the auditor, and asked questions to deepen their understanding of how elections are conducted.
Students also explored how bills become laws, the importance of civic responsibility, and the legal framework surrounding voting rights. Applying their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, they learned marketing skills to promote the registration drive.
The Rotary Club of Decatur County helped fund refreshments, including coffee from the Central Decatur Culinary Arts coffee shop and donuts from Shelly’s Short Stop. Rotary also purchased T-shirts for the students to wear the day of the drive, which they designed themselves while learning about branding and copyright laws.
On the day of the drive, the county auditor joined the students at the school to assist seniors with completing their voter registration forms and to answer questions about the process. The hands-on experience allowed students to take ownership of the project while making a meaningful impact on their community.
The award recognizes not only the high participation rate but also the students’ commitment to civic engagement, collaboration, and work based learning. Their efforts serve as an example of how education can extend beyond the classroom and into meaningful community action.
Way to go, Cardinals! CD Business Law Students: Parker Zeiss, Blake Boyd, Krey Hunt, Cole Lavrenz, Landon Palmer, Carter Davis and Ben Long.