The Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library is currently displaying the work of Sarasota’s public high school students who won the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County’s YVote Contest for their essays and posters depicting why it is important for every eligible person to vote. Teams of League members and other Sarasota writing and art experts judged the entries. Essay winners were: 1st Place - Hayden Heaney, Venice High School, Grade 10 for his essay, The Pivotal Role of American Democracy: Voting; 2nd Place - Addyson Domian, Venice High School, Grade 12, for her essay, To the 44%.; 3rd Place - Kathryn Domian, Pine View High School, Grade 10, for her essay, Tiny But Mighty Spark. Poster winners were: 1st Place - Aliciana Harvey-Lopez, Pine View School, grade 12, for her poster, Empowering the Voice of Diversity; 2nd Place -Vito Sgroi, Riverview High School, grade 10, for his poster, Step Up.; 3rd Place - Jacquelyn Williams, Suncoast Polytechnical High School, grade 12, for her poster, All United Voting The students received their awards on November 28, 2023, during Sarasota School Board’s Moments of Pride Special Event. First place winners received $500; those in second place received $300; third place winners received $200. The League conducted the contest in partnership with Sarasota district public schools, and it was fully funded by Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The display will rotate through six county libraries between December 2023 and June 2024.