Kelly Writers House will collaborate with nonprofit organization Vote That Jawn to host a youth political writing award ceremony next month.
Vote That Jawn, which Penn lecturer Lorene Cary established in 2018, is dedicated to increasing youth voter participation. She spoke with The Daily Pennsylvanian about the organization’s work and upcoming Sheno Prize Celebration that will reward civic engagement among high school and college students.
“The one thing nobody else does is bring together college and high school, because 18-years-old is a seam between those two groups,” Cary said. “When they get together, the energy is great fun.”
Cary initially created the organization within her course: ENGL 123 — “Advanced Writing for Children.” After the February 2018 Parkland High School mass shooting and following “March for Our Lives” protest in Washington, D.C., Cary’s students asked her to focus the curriculum on voting and convincing young people to cast a ballot.
“We found out that young people in this cohort were very active, very passionate,” Cary said. “They were protesting, they were giving money, they were giving time.”
The March 24 ceremony will recognize students who have written about political issues in Philadelphia and public each winner’s piece on the organization’s website or The Philadelphia Citizen’s website. It will also honor the life of 2022 College graduate Erinda Sheno, who contributed to Vote That Jawn, by awarding the second annual Sheno Prize.
According to Cary, she will moderate a forum hosted in collaboration between Penn’s Office of Social Equity and Community and Vote That Jawn on March 18. “I Vote a World,” SEC’s fifth annual forum on social equity and community, will take place in Houston Hall present the topics of civic engagement and responsibility among the Philadelphia youth.
“I say, from potholes to the planet, everything has to do with your vote,” Cary said. “Everything that we do as human beings, we reflect in governance.”
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In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Vote That Jawn will organize a display for ArtPhilly’s Summer Festival, composed of artwork, spoken word presentations, and performances created by local high school and college students.
