South Dakota Opened John Lewis Award Nominations
The state is seeking nominations for young residents who demonstrate excellence in leadership and community service.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson has officially opened the nomination period for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. The annual honor recognizes South Dakota residents who show commitment to civic engagement and public service.
Why it matters
The program encourages civic participation by highlighting the contributions of young people who actively serve their local communities. By honoring these individuals, the state aims to inspire continued leadership among the next generation of residents.
Eligible nominees must be age 25 or younger, and all applications must be submitted by the November 1 deadline at 5 p.m. Central Time.
The players
Monae Johnson
Monae Johnson is the current Secretary of State for South Dakota who oversees state election processes and administrative programs.
The details
Nominators must submit an official application package that includes a photo of the nominee and all required supporting materials. All documents must reach the Secretary of State office in Pierre by the specified deadline to be considered for the honor.
Timeline
November 1, 2026, is the deadline for all award nomination submissions at 5 p.m. CT.
Political Context
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award program operates as an extension of national efforts to foster civic involvement among young citizens. Critics of such state-level programs often point to concerns regarding the selection criteria or the potential for political bias in public recognition efforts.
Residents can nominate qualifying young community leaders to receive state-level recognition for their service work. The application process requires careful preparation of materials to ensure submission before the hard deadline in November.
The takeaway
Civic engagement programs for youth serve as a bridge between community involvement and public recognition. Individuals interested in participating should gather supporting documentation well in advance of the early November cutoff.
Further reading
Learn more about local government initiatives on the South Dakota Civic Engagement page.
More information
Submit applications and view program requirements on the South Dakota Secretary of State website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NEWS RADIO KOTA-AM 1380AM/100.7FM.
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