SALEM, S.D. — Voters across South Dakota will receive more than just a sticker at the polls in November — they’ll carry a design created by a McCook Central High School student.

Ashtyn DeKnikker was named a winner in her age category in the Civics in the 605: Statewide Sticker Showcase, a contest hosted by the Secretary of State’s Office to create the next “I Voted” sticker. Her artwork will be printed and distributed statewide during the 2026 general election.

The contest, rebranded this year, invited students from kindergarten through high school to submit original, nonpartisan designs featuring the phrase “I Voted.” Entries were judged in four grade-level categories by a panel that included the governor, constitutional officers and other state leaders. Hundreds of submissions were received from classrooms across South Dakota.

DeKnikker said she entered the contest as part of a government class assignment taught by Nathan Vetch.

“If it weren’t for the class, I probably would’ve never even known this contest existed,” she said. “I just did it to finish the assignment, and honestly, I didn’t expect anything to come of it. So finding out I won was a total surprise”

Her winning design features a patriotic theme centered around South Dakota imagery. The hand-drawn artwork includes an American flag in the background, an outline of the state and the words “I Voted” placed prominently in the center. At the bottom, she incorporated rolling hills inspired by the Badlands.

“I wanted my design to feel patriotic, so I put an American flag in the background,” DeKnikker said. “I also wanted to highlight South Dakota, so I included the state’s outline and hills that look like the Badlands. My goal is to remind people how important it is to vote, stay involved, and pay attention to what’s happening in our government.”

DeKnikker created the design using traditional materials, starting with a pencil sketch before adding colored pencil and finishing with marker outlines. In total, she spent just over an hour on the project, working both in class and at home.

“The stars on the flag were the hardest part,” she admitted. “It had to be original work so I drew every single one by hand. It was tedious.”

Although her design earned statewide recognition, DeKnikker said art is more of a casual hobby than a serious pursuit. She has only taken one formal art class and enjoys doodling in her free time. Outside the classroom, she is involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, National Honor Society, and coaching a younger volleyball team.

Vetch said the assignment was the first time he incorporated the contest into his class after learning about it from McCook Central High School Principal Tracy Chase. He said it provided an opportunity for students to connect creativity with civic engagement.

“I thought it would be a fun way for students to combine their creativity with something that matters in the real world,” Vetch said. “Ashtyn’s design really stood out because it captures South Dakota in a unique way — not with the usual bison or Mount Rushmore, but with the landscape that I think of immediately.”

The broader goal of the contest is to encourage civic awareness among students and connect them to the voting process. Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson said the stickers serve as small but meaningful symbols of participation.

“These stickers travel with every voter. They’re small but powerful symbols of civic duty and South Dakota pride,” Johnson said in a statement.

The Civics in the 605 contest is part of a wider effort by Johnson’s office to engage young South Dakotans in government. Initiatives include student voter registration campaigns and the Gladys Pyle Award, which recognizes schools and universities that register a high percentage of eligible students. Last year, Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell was recognized for its successful voter registration drive. Johnson said contests like the sticker showcase give students a hands-on connection to civic duty and a tangible way to see the impact of participating in government.

Winners were recognized during the Statewide Sticker Showcase Award Ceremony held Feb. 24 at the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre. Finalist artwork was displayed during the legislative session, and students and their families had the opportunity to tour the Capitol.

After high school, DeKnikker plans to attend Dakota State University and to major in physical education and minor in history.

DeKnikker said her class completed a unit before the sticker project that emphasized the importance of voting and how getting involved really matters. She said the experience has given her a new appreciation for civic engagement.

“Now that I’m 18, I’m definitely going to register and vote,” she said. “It’s exciting to think that something I created will be in the hands of thousands of voters.”

Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
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