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First there was the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Then the National Geographic GeoBee came online from 1989 to 2019.
Now, a new National Civics Bee has hit the scene courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce is bringing the nonpartisan competition to Farmers Branch and the surrounding area for any students in the sixth, seventh or eighth grades.
Applications open this fall, and students will write essays that are judged by local business leaders.
“The idea is to get kids interested in civics,” said Michael Gallops, president and CEO of Metrocrest Chamber, who advocated and supported the bee in its second year while he was president and CEO of the Rowlett Area Chamber and Visitor’s Center.
The National Civics Bee comes at a time when young adults are losing interest in civics. According to a 2023 study by The Reboot Foundation, a Paris-based organization dedicated to cultivating critical thinking, in conjunction with the polling firm YouGov and Survey Monkey, 61 percent of people 13-24, including 59 percent of adult ages 18-24, would rather give up their right to vote for one year rather than all social media for one year.
“I love this program,” Gallops said. “It will get our students engaged. It will engage their parents.”
To participate, students are required to write an 600-750-word essay to demonstrate their understanding and passion for civics. The question requires students to identify a specific problem, challenge or opportunity in their community and provide a solution on what the student can do to contribute to its improvement. Solutions much include a founding principle found in the Declaration of Independence or U.S. Constitution or a civic virtue, which the foundation defines as humility, integrity, moderation, respect and responsibility.
Gallops said he would like to have at least 100 students participate in the Metrocrest Chamber’s competition, and all students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are welcome to participate, whether they attend public, private or homeschools, or are even in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.
Gallops said if a student is from a city that does not have a National Civics Bee competition, they are welcome to compete in with the Metrocrest Chamber.
“The goal is 100 essays, which would mean 100 students,” he said.
In addition to reaching out for students to participate, Gallops is seeking people in the community to judge the essays.
From the essays, 20 students will be invited to participate in a live civic bee locally. The live bee is made up of three rounds with two rounds of questions. The top performers then participate in a third round with a question-and-answer session based on the students’ own essays.
Students invited to the live bee will each receive a tablet in addition to other prizes.
The local winner will have the opportunity to participate at the Texas competition, and one winner from Texas will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to compete in the championship next November.
Finalists from 28 states will compete at this year’s inaugural National Civics Bee Championship on Nov. 12 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which will be livestreamed, according to The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Winners will receive more than $50,000 in prizes.
The portal for the 2024-2025 competition is not yet open, but students can start working on their essays. Visit the Metrocrest Chamber website for more information.
https://metrocrestchamber.com/nationalcivicsbee/
Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce received a grant to organize the bee and reward participants, but Gallops said he also is looking for more sponsors who would like to donate to the cash prizes.
“We can make the cash prizes larger,” he said.
