Students from Warsaw, Kendallville and Richmond took the top prizes this week at the Indiana Civics Bee at the Indiana Statehouse.
The event hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Indiana Department of Education tests the civics knowledge of students in grades 6 to 8 with live quiz rounds. Participating students also make presentations on issues facing their communities to a panel of judges.
The event is part of the National Civics Bee, which is organized by The Civic Trust, an organization of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Barrett Hodorek, who just completed eighth grade at Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw, won the Indiana Civics Bee. In his presentation, Barrett discussed the importance of keeping lakes clean and laid out a plan for doing so.
He received $1,000 and has the opportunity to represent Indiana in the National Civics Bee, Nov. 10-11, in Washington, D.C.
Olivia Warner, who just finished eighth grade at Woodside Middle School in Kendallville, finished in second place and won $500. Taytem Rivera, who just finished eighth grade at Hibberd Middle School in Richmond, was awarded third place and $250.
The students starting their Indiana Civics Bee journeys earlier this year with contests held by local chamber of commerce organizations.
“We’re so proud of the students who took part in the program and made the conscious effort to focus on civics and being involved in their communities,” Indiana Chamber CEO Vanessa Green Sinders said. “The thoughtful speeches we heard show a real desire to be impactful and service their hometowns and beyond.”
The goal of the National Civics Bee is to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. That aim is one the Indiana Chamber shares for Hoosiers, including it in its latest long-range visioning plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035, as noted by the organization’s president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders in her opening remarks at the state Civics Bee.
Sinders said that the civics competition and similar activities offer students “opportunities to learn and build skills such as public speaking, problem-solving and collaboration, which will serve them well in their professional and personal lives.”
Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner was a judge in the competition. She said in a statement that Indiana has worked to boost civics literacy by adding a course in sixth grade, emphasizing it as part of the department’s Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed tool and providing students increased opportunities to engage in service-based learning.
“I was so impressed with the middle school students who participated in our state’s Civics Bee and will be cheering Barrett on as he represents Indiana in the national competition,” she said.