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DENVER — Middle school students across Colorado competed in the 2024 National Civics Bee® regional competitions throughout the state in recent weeks, with finalists advancing to the state-level competition hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Daniels Fund and the Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“We’re proud to work with our local chamber partners for the second consecutive year to promote active participation in government and democracy among young Coloradans,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “We’re also thrilled that the program is expanding to the national level this year, providing a platform for students across the U.S. to engage in civic education. Congratulations to this year’s regional finalists and we look forward to hosting them in Denver to compete for the state title!”
The Colorado Chamber partnered with the Arvada, Buena Vista, Craig, Denver Metro, Eastern Plains and Windsor chambers of commerce to launch the program. The competitions across Colorado are meant 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.
“Active citizens serve as the bedrock of a healthy democracy, and it is vital that we impart these principles to the next generation,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “The Daniels Fund was thrilled to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to launch the National Civics Bee as a fun way for young people to become informed and engaged in our republic.”
Approximately 240 students across the state submitted essays to enter the regional competitions. Students participated in live quiz events and were pressed on their civics knowledge by panels of judges. The top three students from each competition received cash prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to compete in the statewide championship hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Kinder Morgan in Denver on May 17, 2024.
Finalists invited to participate in the state-level National Civics Bee® competition include:
- Abigail Dart, Colorado Early Colleges Middle School (Fort Collins)
- Abigail Petty, American Legacy Academy (Windsor)
- Ainslie Mohr, Denver School of the Arts (Denver)
- Andee Quilico, Buena Vista Middle School (Buena Vista)
- Anna Metzl, Kent Denver School (Englewood)
- Claire Kubichek, Colorado Early College (Windsor)
- Elliot Sibson, Steamboat Springs Middle School (Steamboat Springs)
- Fatima Hussaini, DSST Green Valley Ranch Middle School (Denver)
- Gracie Fontenot, Homeschool (Craig)
- Joseph Drexler, Darren Patterson Christian Academy (Buena Vista)
- Liv Hastings, Mountain View Academy (Mountain View)
- Norah Malachowski, Lewis Palmer Middle School (Monument)
- Penelope Baksa, Denver Green School Northfield (Denver)
- Ram Yalavarthy, Drake Middle School (Arvada)
- Ryun Pressgrove, Craig Middle School (Craig)
- Simon Allen, Darren Patterson Christian Academy (Buena Vista)
- Sofie Underwood, Lewis Palmer Middle School (Monument)
- Warren Magid, Bell Middle School (Golden)
All participants in the state competition will receive a tablet device as a prize from the Colorado Chamber and sponsor Chevron Corporation. The top three winners of the state competition will receive cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.
The Colorado state champion will advance to the National Civics Bee® competition in Washington, D.C. held on November 12, 2024, to compete for the national title, as well as over $50,000 in prizes.
For more information on the 2024 National Civics Bee, please visit: https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.
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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.