The Indiana Chamber and the Indiana Department of Education hosted the first-ever state Civics Bee on Friday at the Indiana Statehouse, where middle school students in grades 6 to 8 participated in live quiz rounds to test their civics knowledge and gave presentations on issues facing their communities in front of a panel of judges.
The event is part of the National Civics Bee organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
At the conclusion of the Indiana Civics Bee, Ellie Fost from Richmond Friends School in Wayne County was declared the winner. Her talk centered on the importance of mental health – something she said she’s learned firsthand. Fost received $1,000 and has the opportunity to go to the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. on November 12.
Fiona Steuer, representing Willowcreek Middle School in Portage, won second place and $500 with a spirited speech on equal pay for women, noting the disparity in her own community. Doing away with the corporate tax to spur economic growth was the topic championed by Hunter Reed, representing Delta Middle School in Muncie. He took home third place and $250.
All top three finishers were eighth graders when their Indiana Civics Bee journey began earlier this year with initial contests held in partnership with local chambers across the state. Those events produced the nearly 20 participants who competed for the state title.
The goal of this 2024 National Civics Bee is to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. That aim is one the Indiana Chamber shares for Hoosiers, including it in its latest long-range visioning plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035, as noted by president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders in her opening remarks at the state Civics Bee.
She adds, “The Indiana Chamber believes this event can be part of inspiring a new generation. We want to spread the message to all young Hoosiers that it’s cool and rewarding to be involved in your community and make a difference in that way."
The three judges for the state Civics Bee were: Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education; Charles Dunlap, president and CEO of the Indiana Bar Foundation; and Charles Hyde, president and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
The Indiana Bar Foundation, Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP (Indianapolis-based law firm) and Indiana University Center on Representative Government sponsored the Indiana Civics Bee.