First Minnesota Civics Bee Features Eight Salk STEM Students

Eight students from Salk STEM Middle School advanced to the regional level of competition in the first-ever Minnesota Civics Bee as part of the National Civics Bee hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. 

Those eight students were Mariah Jones, Liam Price, Augustus Lamoureux, Mackenzie Deleo, Jaxton Signore, Harper Carlson, Miranda Shermer, and Timothy Gbehan. Miranda Shermer took fifth place in the contest, Timothy Gbehan (pictured at bottom of article) took second place and won $250, and Mariah Jones took first place winning $500 (pictured below).

“We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the way they continue to represent Salk with excellence,” said Salk Social Studies teacher Ron Hustvedt who organized students at the school level. 

Students were selected for the regional competition based on essays they wrote about an idea they had to make their community a better place. A prestigious panel of judges from across the country selected the finalists. All 60 of the students at Salk who are going to Washington, D.C. this June submitted essays. 

The National Civics Bee is an annual nonpartisan civics competition for middle schoolers that increases civic knowledge, skills, and disposition among young Americans, their families, and communities. This is the first year that the Competition has taken place in Minnesota. Middle school students in grades 6-8 submitted essays on issues in their communities. There were two separate regional events that Salk students were invited to attend, with three attending the event hosted by the Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce and five attending the MetroNorth Chamber event. 

“The Civics Bee has incredible potential to spark students’ interest in public life. It’s exciting to see it come to Minnesota, with local chambers working hand-in-hand with schools and the community,” said Debbie Rydberg, Executive Director of the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce.

Each regional competition was an in-person, live event featuring two rounds of civics quiz questions followed by a Q&A with judges during which the top five finalists discussed their proposals for improving their communities.

The top three winners received cash prizes and advance to the state competition on June 14, but unfortunately none of the Salk students will be able to compete since they will already be in Washington, D.C.

“Our D.C. trip was already planned before we heard about the Civics Bee so hopefully we’ll have students do just as well next year because the top prize at the national competition is a $100,000 scholarship," Hustvedt said. 

“Initiatives like the National Civics Bee showcase the leadership potential of our next generation,” said Lori Higgins, President of the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce. “These students brought forward thoughtful, practical ideas, from meeting basic community needs to improving safety in their neighborhoods, that reflect a strong sense of civic responsibility. We’re proud to support their growth as engaged citizens and future leaders in our region.”