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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce today hosted the 2024 National Civics Bee Colorado State Finals in partnership with the Daniels Fund and the Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Seventeen 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 Allen Fore with Kinder Morgan, Chad Calvert with Chevron Corporation and John Suthers with the Daniels Fund and former Mayor of Colorado Springs.
“Ensuring a bright future for our communities means investing in our youth and encouraging them to get involved in shaping our society through civic education,” said Loren Furman, president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber. “We’re excited to recognize young Coloradans committed to engaging in government and democracy. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and we’re proud Joseph Drexler will be representing Colorado in the national competition!”
“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,” said Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera. “Engaged citizens serve as the bedrock of a healthy democracy, and if our nation’s future resembles the students we’ve seen in the Civics Bee, it promises to be bright.”
Winners of the 2024 National Civics Bee Colorado State Finals include:
- First place: Joseph Drexler, Darren Patterson Christian Academy, Buena Vista
- Second place: Anna Metzl, Kent Denver School, Englewood
- Third place: Ram Yalavarthy, Drake Middle School, Arvada
All participants in the state competition received a tablet device as a prize from the Colorado Chamber and sponsor Chevron Corporation. 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.
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.
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.
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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.