11 middle schoolers to compete in state civics bee
Eleven middle school students from South Dakota will compete in the state Civics Bee on June 11 at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, with the winner advancing to the National Civics Bee in Washington later this year. The competition, organized by the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aims to boost civic education among students and includes judges such as Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and state Sen. Casey Crabtree, alongside prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 for the top three finishers.
Eleven students from grades 6 to 8 will compete in the South Dakota State Civics Bee on June 11 at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. The event, hosted by the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is the second annual state bee and offers a pathway to the National Civics Bee in Washington later this year. Participants qualified through four regional competitions held this spring, with finalists representing Brookings, Rapid City, southeast South Dakota, and Sioux Falls. The competition begins at 10 a.m. in Augustana’s Hamre Recital Hall and includes three rounds: two timed multiple-choice sections on tablets, followed by a final round where the top five students answer questions about pre-written essays. Judges include Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen, state Sen. Casey Crabtree, attorney John Archer, state historian Ben Jones, Minnehaha County Commissioner Joe Kippley, and Eric Jepsen, chair of the University of South Dakota’s Department of Political Science. Prizes total $1,750, with $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided afterward. Sponsors include the University of South Dakota, the Chiesman Center for Democracy, Dan and Arlene Kirby, Bluestem Capital Partners, First Premier Bank, and Premier Bankcard. The bee aligns with recent state efforts to strengthen civic education, including a South Dakota Board of Regents requirement that students demonstrate civics proficiency before graduation. Julia Hellwege, associate professor in political science and director of the Chiesman Center, emphasized the importance of early civic engagement, stating that early involvement fosters lifelong participation in democracy. Other civics-related initiatives in South Dakota include partnerships between educational institutions and community organizations to promote civic literacy among youth and adults. The event underscores growing efforts to address declining civic knowledge and encourage active citizenship.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.