Neodesha High School senior Tucker Leck was presented with the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Monday by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. The award aims to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis and is a way for the National Association of Secretaries of State to recognize gifted, civic-minded youth in their state each year.
Schwab said, “Tucker has demonstrated a passion for our system of government, in particular ensuring that all Americans exercise the constitutional right to vote. Moreover, as a student from a small community in Southeast Kansas, Tucker understands the importance of making certain the voice of rural America is heard.”
Tucker was recognized for his work on a voter registration drive that he set up and ran last fall. “I identified a nationwide concern regarding our national political system, where people, especially those in rural areas, are increasingly disengaging from the voting process. Like my community in Wilson County in Southeast Kansas, these voices are especially important in local and statewide elections because they represent aspects of rural infrastructure, agriculture, and other important factors that are critical for the success of our constitutional republic, yet often underrepresented in elections.”
Tucker is the first Kansan to win this award. He is the son of Marcus and Talia Leck.
