Queen Creek area students advance to state round of National Civics Bee

Three area students are moving on to the state round of the National Civics Bee.

The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce hosted the 3rd Annual National Civics Bee Regional round at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus on April 24.

First place and $500 went to Gideon J. of Payne Junior High School in the Chandler Unified School District. Adelaide W. of Newell Barney College Prep in the Queen Creek Unified School District won second place and $250. Third place and $125 went to Angel G. of Combs Middle School in the Combs Unified School District.

The National Civics Bee begins with a written essay and culminates in live events at the regional, state and national levels. A total of 16 students earned a spot in the chamber’s regional live competition.

“We are so proud of all the students from schools across the Valley who competed in this year’s competition,” according to a post on the chamber’s Facebook page. “Watching these young leaders demonstrate their commitment to understanding government, community and civic responsibility was inspiring. The future is bright with students like these leading the way.”

The chamber partners with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the National Civics Bee to town.

This competition — now expanding to all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary — invites middle school students to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities and build trust in others and institutions through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition, according to a chamber press release.

Finalists who advance to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., will compete for cash prizes, national recognition and a $100,000 529 education savings plan contribution. Fisher Global Foundation will be awarding the first-place winners’ schools in each state with a $5,000 donation.