Student’s winning ‘I Voted’ sticker captures wild nature of modern voting

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — At a time when political divides are deep and sharp enough to cleave family and friends from one another, one local student has managed to do the impossible: unite both sides. And she isn’t even old enough to vote yet.

An illustration that’s been dubbed the “unhinged werewolf” by Brownell Middle School seventh grader Jane Hynous, of Grosse Pointe Farms, was the winner of a statewide “I Voted” sticker design contest. Nearly 58,000 people voted for their favorite designs from entries in the elementary/middle school, high school and general categories, with Hynous taking top honors in the elementary/middle school category. With an American flag in the background, her werewolf claws off his shirt and howls triumphantly, with a declaration of “I Voted” above him.

“I think Michiganders find the shirt-ripping werewolf as the perfect metaphor for the raw emotions that often drive us to vote,” Farms City Clerk Derrick Kozicki said in an email interview.

But Michiganders aren’t the only ones. Encapsulating perhaps the intensity with which people have voted in recent election cycles, Hynous’ sticker has gone viral, attracting attention across the country.

As of early September, Hynous’ drawing had roughly 2.4 million views on X — formerly Twitter — according to Brownell Principal Roger Hunwick. Hunwick said Hynous was inspiring adults and kids alike.

“What I find incredible about Jane is she’s humble, she’s modest, she’s thankful,” Hunwick said at a Sept. 10 Grosse Pointe Board of Education meeting. “When I exercise that right (to vote) Nov. 5, I’m going to put that (sticker) on my chest with pride. The Grosse Pointe community is unhinged with joy that you have (put) us in such a favorable light.”

Hynous has been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and earned herself a mention on John Oliver’s show on HBO and “CBS Mornings.” It’s been a shock for Hynous, the younger of Amy and Emmett Hynous’ two children, and for her parents.

“I was naive about the attention this would get beyond state attention,” Emmett Hynous said. “We’ve never had anyone in our family go viral. The only word I can say is, I think it’s ‘wild.’”

The accolades haven’t gone to Jane’s head, though.

“She’s very humble about it, which I think is amazing,” Emmett said.

Jane said she wanted to do something unexpected, which is why she avoided more conventional imagery.

“I wanted something that wasn’t going to be like everyone else’s (design),” she said.

She said she did her drawing in class, while they were watching a movie.

“Voting is such a serious thing. … I wanted to make something that would be fun to wear,” Jane told the Board of Education last month.

Her mom was struck by the fact that her daughter had limited materials at her disposal — mostly markers and colored pencils — when she created her design.

“I think what I really liked hearing is she just used what was in her pencil case that day,” Amy Hynous said.

Brownell social studies teacher Bess Johnston — who was Hynous’ teacher last year, when she created her drawing — was the one who notified the family that she had won.

“I think her sticker is fantastic,” Johnston said in an email interview. “When I saw she was a finalist (in July), I was not surprised because I know Jane to be a very talented artist. The illustration has such a Jane-vibe to it; it’s well-conceived yet unique with a streak of humor.”

 She’s not shocked so many people relate to the drawing.

“I think it resonated so well because of how unpredictable this election cycle has been; it’s been a wild ride so far, which may explain why people connected with its ‘unhinged’ nature,” Johnston said. “I also believe people feel empowered by voting and her illustration captured that in a refreshing way.”

Jane said she was at the family cottage in Port Austin, swimming in Lake Huron, when her family got the call from Johnston in August. Her mom had just baked brownies.

“It was wonderful to be on summer vacation and to receive that news,” Amy said, adding that her daughter’s design was actually the top vote-getter among all the contest winners.

Jane hopes her win inspires others.

“I’m so young, and there were much older people in the contest,” she said. “No matter what your age is, you can achieve your dreams.”

The Hynous family isn’t politically active but they’re voters who want their children to be informed. Emmett said his kids watched the presidential debate so they could hear from both candidates and form their own opinions.

“We never put signs on the lawn, but I want my kids to know the basics of what’s going on,” he said.

Amy said the attention the family has gotten has “all been positive.”

When she’s not fielding interview requests, Jane has the normal, busy life of a middle schooler. She’s in the school band and is a Girl Scout who enjoys pickleball, boating, paddle boarding and kayaking. She’s also an avid soccer player who has been playing the sport for about five years. She said she got interested in soccer because of her older brother, Colin, 16.

Jane said her favorite subject in school is math.

“I guess it’s just a lot more intriguing than a lot of the subjects,” she said.

She also enjoys making art, including jewelry and abstracts.

Jane is a cat lover as well. The family has two feline members — Twila, a calico female, and Mittens, a male gray tabby. Jane’s love of cats is evident in her impressive collection of Pusheen plush animals and memorabilia; Pusheen is a friendly-faced cartoon cat whose popularity rivals that of one of its predecessors, Hello Kitty.

Jane Hynous was recognized by school district officials during a Sept. 10 Board of Education meeting at Brownell.

Superintendent Andrea Tuttle congratulated Hynous.

“Incredible,” Tuttle said. “This is really cool.”

Board member Ahmed Ismail called Hynous a “total rock star” as he praised her work.

Other board members also celebrated her achievement.

“Thank you for highlighting our district,” Board member Colleen Worden said. “You put us on the map. You are clearly top-notch.”

As the top election official in the Farms, the news that this honor was bestowed upon a Farms resident made it special for Kozicki, who is also the assistant city manager.

“I am very proud but the Pointes have always had an appreciation of the arts, so I wasn’t surprised a Pointer won,” Kozicki said.

Kozicki said all the city clerks in the Pointes are ordering extra copies of Hynous’ sticker.

“We have all received numerous calls and emails asking when the Hynous piece will become available,” Kozicki said.

At 12, Hynous won’t be able to vote in an election until 2030. But, she’s already made a difference in this one, generating excitement among people on both sides of the aisle — and even folks who might have been indifferent to the election.

“Jane is a hardworking student. She fully commits herself to her work, be it drawing a sticker or writing an essay or presenting a project,” Johnston said. “We had several creative assignments throughout the school year and Jane’s work always stood out because of how polished it was. In addition to her work ethic, Jane is a truly funny and thoughtful person. She brought joy to my classroom this year and I look forward to seeing her journey unfold. In the meantime, I will proudly be rocking Jane’s sticker as I exercise my right to vote on November 5.”

Plenty of voters will be sporting Jane’s drawing over the next few weeks, but thankfully, no one needs to fear being confronted by a real werewolf on Election Day.

“Don’t worry, unlike November 2022, there will be no full moon on election day,” Kozicki said.