Southeast Kentucky Chamber Holds Regional Competition of National Civics Bee at Mountain Arts Center

PIKEVILLE, KY (April 26, 2024)—The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held the regional competition of the National Civics Bee at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg on Thursday, April 25, 2024. The next stage of the competition will be at the state level held at the Kentucky State Fair in August. The first-place winner of the state competition will then travel to Washington, D.C. to compete on the national level for a chance to win a grand prize valued at $50,000.

The live competition featured seventeen 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from 6 Eastern Kentucky counties who all had previously written essays about a problem they see in their community that could be solved using civic principles. The regional competition on Thursday began with two rounds of civic-based multiple choice quizzes that the students answered on Samsung tablets provided by event sponsor, Appalachian Wireless. Other event sponsors include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, double kwik, and the Mountain Arts Center.

The top five highest scoring students then went into the last round of the competition where they were asked to summarize their essays in three sentences and answer questions from the event’s judges, who were Darlene Howell, Director of Customer Relations at Appalachian Wireless; Tina Terry, Director of Academic Programs & Dual Credit at Big Sandy Community and Technical College; and Dr. Tyler Syck, Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of Pikeville. Emceeing the event was Dalton Hatfield, Director of External Affairs for Appalachian Regional Healthcare.

The third-place winner took home a $125 cash prize, the second-place winner took home a $250 cash prize, and the first-place winner, 8th grade student at Pikeville Independent Schools, Javan D., took home a cash prize of $500.  All three students received trophies and will go on to compete at the state level. Each student who competed went home with the tablets provided by Appalachian Wireless and a $25 gas card from double kwik.

“Your event was excellent. I have been to many over my 18 years of teaching, this was one of the most memorable,” said Rhonda Gross, a contestant’s mother, and teacher at Hayes Lewis School in Leslie County. “My kids had a blast and were overwhelmed with joy with the tablet and gas cards. Thank you so much for your diligence in making this event possible for my students.”

“As a chamber committed to empowering our community and nurturing future leaders, we are proud to participate in the National Civics Bee,” said Tiffany Coleman, Director of Accounting and Special Events. “This competition not only promotes civic education but also instills in our youth the values of citizenship, responsibility, and active engagement. We believe that by supporting initiatives like the National Civics Bee, we are investing in the prosperity and vitality of our community for generations to come.”

For more information on the National Civics Bee and how you or your student can get involved, please visit our website at www.sekchamber.com/nationalcivicsbee.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.

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