Michigan
Port Huron artist named finalist in Michigan ‘I Voted’ sticker contest
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PORT HURON, MI — A Port Huron artist is among 90 finalists in Michigan’s 2026 “I Voted” sticker contest, with her design now in the running to be distributed to voters across the state in November.
Sydney Reed, a 22-year-old Port Huron resident and Marysville High School graduate, advanced to public voting after submitting her “Pure Michigan” design to the Michigan Department of State.
Her design features a Michigan sunset, a Kirtland’s warbler perched on an apple blossom branch and the Mackinac Bridge in the background.
“I’ve always been the artsy child in the family,” Reed said.
The Michigan Department of State received 2,095 submissions this year — more than four times the number submitted during the contest’s inaugural run in 2024. Members of the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force selected the finalists before public voting opened June 1.
A review of the Department of State’s voting forms shows Reed’s design is the only finalist from St. Clair County among the 90 entries.
Reed said she nearly passed on the opportunity to enter.
Although she first learned about the contest on Instagram, she said her boyfriend, Kevin Adriaens of Clarkston, encouraged her to create a design and submit it.
“I was actually quite hesitant about designing a sticker,” Reed said.
Art has long been a central part of Reed’s life. She describes herself as largely self-taught but said she also received guidance from family friend Ann Marie Morgan of St. Clair.
While attending Marysville High School, Reed took Advanced Placement art classes, exhibited work at showcases at St. Clair County Community College and earned a Silver Key award through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Reed credits former Marysville art teacher Joanie Kernohan with helping shape her development as an artist.
“I spent hours in her classroom after school working on my projects and just getting to know my teacher,” Reed said. “She mentored me so much and has made me a better artist.”
Reed collaborated on several murals at Marysville High School, creating pieces that promote kindness, encouragement and positive mental health messages.
Today, Reed attends St. Clair County Community College and works in the records department at the Port Huron Police Department. She plans to continue her education at Oakland University, where she hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
As voting continues, Reed said she hopes her design highlights both Michigan’s natural beauty and the creativity found in the Blue Water Area.
“As a Michigander, our state’s beauty is something I wanted to showcase,” Reed said.
Public voting in the Michigan Department of State’s “I Voted” sticker contest runs through June 30, with voters allowed to select up to three designs in each category. Winners will be announced later this summer, and the winning designs will be available to local clerks for distribution during the November 2026 election.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.