With her striking depiction of an eagle’s face set against a hand-drawn American flag, accompanied by eye-catching text celebrating the vote during America’s 250th anniversary year. Celeste Karam from St. Patrick School in Wentzville has won the first-ever “I Voted” sticker contest in St. Charles County.
The eighth grader from Wentzville was surprised with an announcement at her school on Thursday morning by Kurt Bahr, St. Charles County Elections Director. He congratulated her on winning a contest that started with over 220 submissions from middle schoolers around the county. Twelve finalists collectively brought in more than 12,500 votes in the inaugural contest run by the St. Charles County Election Authority.
Celeste’s winning design will be used on the county’s “I Voted” stickers throughout 2026, starting with municipal elections on April 7.
“We appreciate everyone who sent their artwork. We had a lot of great submissions!” says Bahr. “Any of the top 12 finalists had an opportunity to win, and we’re exceptionally proud of the work they put into their designs. Congratulations to Celeste!”
In addition to being on the “I Voted” stickers, copies of Celeste’s art will be displayed at every polling place in the county, and a giant-sized version will be up year-round outside the Election Authority office in St. Peters. The art has a potential audience of about 300,000 registered voters in St. Charles County. Three elections are scheduled this year in April, August, and November.
Visitors who come to vote at the Election Authority office this year can also view every single contest submission on a gallery wall in the voting area.
The “I Voted” sticker contest received submissions from local students in 6th–8th grade in the fall. Finalists were chosen based on creativity and how well they exemplified the theme of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.