For media inquiries, please contact Teresa Busk at [email protected].
DENVER — Today the Colorado Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2023 National Civics Bee competition in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Daniels Fund.
Fifteen middle school students from across the state flexed their civics comprehension for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Students participated in a live quiz event and answered questions from judges to test their civic knowledge. The Colorado Civics Bee Judges included David Rivera from Climax Molybdenum, Representative Don Wilson representing District 20, and Robert Preuhs, Ph.D., from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
“Our founder, Bill Daniels, understood that being an engaged and informed citizen is a responsibility we all have — and is critical to the health of our democracy,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “We have been so proud and inspired watching these incredible young people propose ideas to improve their communities and compete in the Civics Bee.”
Winners of the Colorado civics bee include:
- First place: Sriram (Ram) Yalavarthy, Drake Middle School, Arvada
- Second place: Joseph Drexler, Darren Patterson Christian Academy, Buena Vista
- Third place: Aanshi Shah, Thunder Vista P-8, Broomfield
The top three winners of the state competition received cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place. All participants in the state competition received a tablet device and certificate as a prize from the Colorado Chamber.
“Ensuring a bright future for our communities requires a vital investment in the upcoming generations and inspiring them to be involved in shaping our communities through civic education,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “We’re thrilled to recognize young Coloradans interested in civic engagement and congratulate this year’s winners!”
The National Civics Bee competition aims to inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.
###
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.