In its first year of participation, Wayne County sent a student to the National Civics Bee. It’s time again for middle schoolers to complete an essay proposing ideas for improving their community.
Participation is free. Essays must be submitted to Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce by Feb. 4.
A panel will judge the applications, which are available at wcareachamber.org/civicsbee.html.
Students and teachers can access guides on the chamber’s website to help them learn how to craft their essays.
Selected students in sixth through eighth grade will be a part of the local bee.
Participants can gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prizes.
Six other Indiana chambers of commerce (Greater Grant, Kendallville, Kosciusko, Greater Muncie, Knox County and New Haven) are organizing their own bees. All will send winners to the state contest.
Local prizes are at least $500, $250 and $125. The state champion wins at least $1,000, and the national winner receives a $100,000 education savings plan.
Ellie Fost, who initially entered the competition while attending Richmond Friends School, advanced to the November 2024 nationals as a Richmond High School freshman.
The event is organized by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Local sponsors are Blue Buffalo, IU East, Merchants Bank of Indiana, Cochran & Associates and Transcendia, Inc.
A version of this article appeared in the January 8 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.