Hi John, 

When I look back on my prom night, I remember the joy and anticipation I felt while smiling for photographs in my pink satin, polka-dotted dress. Years later, I’d watch my daughters each take their turn posing in formalwear, that same timeless magic filling the air.

Prom night is a special moment for students across America, and today, I’m reaching out to you about another milestone in a young person’s life -- one that will determine the direction of our country and our world for generations to come: registering to vote. 

Our vote is our voice in the American story -- our say in the urgent issues of our time, from what's happening in our schools and communities, to our most basic rights and freedoms

That’s why I’m thrilled that When We All Vote and MTV are launching the Prom Challenge, which will recognize high schools across the country that are finding creative new ways to get students registered to vote.

The winning high schools will receive up to $5,000 to put toward the prom of their dreams. 

Don’t sleep on this, John! Tell us what your school is doing to register students to vote. All you have to do is submit your application for the Prom Challenge before the deadline on Friday, March 13, at 11:59 PM ET. 

If you’re not a student or teacher, you can still help spread the word by sharing your prom photo on social media with the hashtag #PromChallenge.

I’ll kick us off -- here’s a throwback to my prom in 1982.

Our young people deserve to have their voices heard -- so let’s do everything we can to help get them registered to vote and out to the polls this November. 

Thank you for being a part of this. 

Michelle Obama