Reagan Kemmerer, an eighth grade student at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita, earned the number one prize in the first regional Civics Bee competition in California, held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum on March 12. When asked why she entered the competition, she replied, “I have always been in awe of this country and am so grateful for all those who fought to preserve this wonderful nation. So, when the opportunity to learn more about the United States came along, I knew I wanted to do it.”
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating students gain knowledge about American government, practice civic engagement respectfully and constructively, and build trust in others and institutions. Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee is a non-partisan competition which provides study guides, quizzes and supporting materials produced in collaboration with the Bill of Rights Institute.
Students enter the competition by responding to a questionnaire with an essay proposing ideas to improve their community. Judges select finalists to advance to local competitions which take place in person and contestants answer questions about American history and government, followed by brief presentations and questions from the judges. Top winners from each regional competition advance to the State Finals and state finalists receive a trip to Washington, D. C. to compete for substantial prizes.
Reagan reported that her “experience in preparing for the Civics Bee will help me in the future, because I am able to create, for myself, a strong foundation of knowledge concerning our government and society,”: adding that reading the study guide for The Federalist Papers gave her a new appreciation for the leadership provided by Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, one of the three authors of The Federalist Papers. For more about the National Civics Bee, go to civics.uschamberfoundation.