Kosciusko County middle school students will have the opportunity to compete in the National Civics Bee for the first time during the 2023-24 school year.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, organizer of the National Civics Bee, has named the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce as an official partner to host a Kosciusko County competition in 2024, according to a provided news release.
The National Civics Bee is a competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. This opportunity extends to students in sixth through eighth grades, granting them a platform to demonstrate their civics knowledge. Students can enter the competition by submitting an essay online beginning Nov. 13, 2023.
For educators, the program offers valuable resources, including a teacher guide, to introduce the opportunity to their students, the news release states. Resources are available through the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and local participating chambers.
Participants in the National Civics Bee will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills, and compete for prizes, including a $1,000 cash prize for the state champion. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship.
This year, the National Civics Bee is expanding its reach to students in 28 states, with plans for a national competition scheduled for 2024. A three-year, $4.5 million grant from the Daniels Fund will allow the U.S. Chamber Foundation to scale these bees to all 50 states by 2026.
“In these challenging times, fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is of utmost importance. The National Civics Bee provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.
Kosciusko Chamber President & CEO Rob Parker said, “The Kosciusko Chamber is proud to have been selected as a partner for the National Civics Bee. We believe that a democracy is strongest when its citizens are most informed and we are proud to be able to bring awareness and knowledge by offering a Civics Bee in our community.”
For more information about the National Civics Bee, visit https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.