February 22, 2024
LAWRENCEBURG, TENN— The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosted the National Civics Bee – Lawrence County Finals on Thursday, February 22 at the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center. Sixteen middle school students were selected as finalists from a pool of more than 150 applicants who submitted an essay addressing community problems and proposed solutions. These finalists participated in live quiz events to test their civics knowledge and presented their essay topic in front of a panel of judges.
The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition hosted by the Lawrence County Chamber seeks 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. The Lawrence County Chamber was one of five chambers in Tennessee to pilot the competition.
Jasper Clark from Summertown Middle School was named the winner of Thursday’s competition. He spoke on creating a four-day school week and the positive impact it would have on both students and teachers alike. Lillian Archer from New Prospect placed second, and Ishika Patel from E.O. Coffman Middle School placed third. The top three finalists will compete in the National Civics Bee – Tennessee State Finals in May.
“The Lawrence County Chamber is proud to be taking steps to get more young people engaged in issues that are important to all of us,” said Chamber President & CEO Ryan Egly, “It is our goal to encourage the next generation to get involved in their communities and have an appreciation for our roles, rights, and responsibilities. We hope this event inspires civic participation among our students.”
About the Chamber
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is a network of businesses, industries, local governments, utilities, and private citizens that are committed to improving the quality of life in Lawrence County, Tennessee through economic development, community development, tourism marketing, and workforce development.
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