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Feb. 25, 2010

Center Honors Spectrum of Democracy Award Winners

RALEIGH - A longtime teacher making a difference in the lives of his students, North Carolina's statewide public television network and an educator-turned-legislator were honored at the 2010 Spectrum of Democracy Awards dinner event, presented by the N.C. Center for Voter Education.

With elected officials, educators, journalists and citizens gathered at the Cardinal Club in downtown Raleigh, Kevin Hight was honored as outstanding citizen, Rep. Tricia Cotham was recognized as outstanding public servant and UNC-TV was honored as outstanding media organization.

D.G. Martin, a statewide syndicated columnist and host of "North Carolina Bookwatch" on UNC-TV, was the event's special guest speaker.

"The recipients of the 2010 Spectrum of Democracy Awards are truly making a difference for our state," said Damon Circosta, executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education. "We are pleased to highlight the vital work of citizens, public servants and journalists that often go uncelebrated, but that make a positive impact in the lives of so many North Carolinians."

Hight is a civic education teacher and student council advisor at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, where he gives students a real-world education in citizenship by requiring that they get involved in political campaigns and community activities. In addition to teaching, Hight serves on the steering committee of the N.C. Civic Education Consortium and is a member of the Cumberland County Board of Elections.

Cotham represents N.C. House District 100, covering parts of Mecklenburg County. Currently in her second term, she serves on seven distinguished committees and is vice chair of the Education Committee. Cotham is the only current and licensed principal in the N.C. Legislature and played an integral role in launching "pre-registration" in North Carolina, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to "pre-register" to vote so that they are automatically added to the roles of active voters when they turn 18.

UNC-TV, statewide public television, has received state and national recognition for its coverage of North Carolina government. "Legislative Week in Review" is just one of many programs produced by UNC-TV that connects citizens with their government. In 2008, UNC-TV produced 36 hours of election-related programming featured on "North Carolina Now," "Black Issues Forum" and "North Carolina People." In addition to its election coverage that year, UNC-TV produced 426 hours of original North Carolina-focused programs and devoted 188 hours to coverage of state government.

This year's Spectrum of Democracy Awards recipients were chosen by a committee comprised of educators, election officials, journalists and private citizens.

The N.C. Center for Voter Education is a Raleigh-based nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, dedicated to helping citizens more fully participate in their democracy.