Hagerstown’s Jr.-Sr. High School’s Calin Ledgerwood finished among the five finalists at the state Civics Bee held in Indianapolis on June 23. Ledgerwood was joined by area winners Centerville Jr.-Sr. High School’s Arianna Stevenson and Richmond Friends School’s Emily Meeker.
Fifteen participated in the live quiz event, essay presentation and Q&A session. After winning a tiebreaker, Ledgerwood delivered a passionate essay pitch about children and families receiving adequate care and education on resources to improve quality of life.
Hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Education, the National Civics Bee aims to develop civic engagement among young Americans and encourage their active contribution to their communities and nation.
“It is incredibly important for our students to engage in civic discussions,” said Melissa Vance, president and CEO of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. “They are the future of our community, and we are proud to give them a platform to share their ideas, explore important issues and make their voices heard.”
For regional Civics Bee information, visit https://www.wcareachamber.org/civicsbee.
For the National Civics Bee, go to https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.
A version of this article will appear in the July 8 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.