MEDIA ADVISORY

September 19, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dorie Herman (614) 247-6369

Glenn Institute gets kids involved in citizenship

Senator will speak to 200 high school students at youth summit

            Although they were too young to vote, hundreds of Ohio high school students cast ballots last November in a unique program to encourage kids to become lifelong voters and participate in democracy. 

Those students took part in Kids Voting 2000, sponsored by Ohio State’s John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, and Kids Voting USA/Ohio, a non-partisan group to reinforce the importance of citizenship and voting.

Some 200 high school students who participated in the election program will gather to discuss the election and speak out on current events at a summit at Ohio State on Friday (9/21). 

The program includes an opening address by Former U.S. Sen. John Glenn and a keynote speech by Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell.  Students will participate in speak out sessions and also hear concluding remarks by Deborah Merritt, director of the Glenn Institute.

WHAT:            A Youth Summit with 200 central Ohio High School Students to share ideas on the topics of youth voter turnout, election reform and the meaning of citizenship. 

WHEN:             Friday, (9/21) from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Senator Glenn and Secretary of State Blackwell will speak between 10 and 11 a.m.

WHERE:             Michael E. Moritz College of Law Auditorium, 55 W. 12^th Avenue

WHY: Ohio State and the Glenn Institute encourage public service among citizens of all ages.

For a complete schedule or more information, contact:

                        Dorie Herman, The John Glenn Institute, 247-6369

            Suzanne Helmick, Kids Voting, 734-8683; or on Friday, by cell phone, 571-7887

                        Carlo LoParo, Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, 752-4361

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