Centerville Junior High School’s Arianna Stevenson won first prize during the Friday, April 10, Regional National Civics Bee at Indiana University East.
Bee organizers from Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce said Arianna excelled in both the quiz rounds and presenting an essay spotlighting a problem and solution. She spoke on the importance of revitalizing abandoned homes and the need for proper maintenance. In addition to a $500 prize, Arianna will serve as Richmond’s “Mayor for the Day.”
She will be joined at the June 23 state competition by Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School’s Calin Ledgerwood, who finished second with an essay on stopping abortion; and Richmond Friends School’s Emily Meeker, whose essay on clothing insecurity helped earn third.
Hagerstown’s Elliott Gray and Dennis Middle School’s Candice Jasso placed in the top five. Twenty students and two alternates qualified for the bee.
Richmond Mayor Ron Oler, Wayne County Commissioner Jeff Plasterer and County Council member Cathy Williams served as judges. Supplied photo
A version of this article appeared in the April 15 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.