During Wayne County’s first year of competing in a national student civics contest, a local student won the state championship and will compete in Washington, D.C.
Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce offered a local competition for the National Civics Bee in April. The program aims to encourage more students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
Ninety-two students entered essays in hopes of qualifying for Wayne County’s contest, and 17 were chosen to compete at Indiana University East.
Ellie Fost, then attending Richmond Friends School, finished first at the local contest, followed by Sadie Penrod and Marisol Colaj, who both represented Richmond Community Schools’ Hibberd Program Building.
Ellie’s qualifying essay focused on teen well-being, while Sadie wrote about local hunger and Marisol discussed poverty.
The 17 local finalists participated in a live quiz event and answered three judges’ questions to test their civics knowledge. Richmond Common Council’s Lucinda Wright, Wayne County Commissioner Jeff Plasterer and Richmond Mayor Ron Oler served as judges.
Through their Top 3 finishes, Ellie, Sadie and Marisol advanced to the Aug. 23 state finals in Indianapolis, organized by Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Ellie and Marisol are now both Richmond High School freshmen and Sadie is an eighth grader at Hibberd.
Ellie won the state’s top prize, adding the $1,000 from her August championship to her $500 prize at Wayne County’s contest.
The national bee will take place in November in Washington, D.C.
The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation coordinates the contest.
A version of this article appeared in the September 4 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.