Latest news with #NationalCivicsBee
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Civics in the time of MAGA: Junior high kids get right what we adults have gotten wrong
So, I'm sitting here on a Thursday afternoon, watching a bunch of junior-high-school kids answering questions about American government and constitutional rights. And the sad irony is they know more about it than at least 90% of the politicians and elected officials I cover on a daily basis. It's called the National Civics Bee. It's like a spelling bee, but with civics. And Thursday was the state finals, held at the downtown Wichita headquarters of the Kansas Leadership Center. What made this a lot more fun than the usual 'bee' format was it was set up to allow for audience participation. Attendees (in a separate group) could play along with the competitors and test their own knowledge. I talked with Chris Green of the Leadership Center and we both agreed it would be fun to invite some of our elected officials next year to see see how they stack up against the sixth-, seventh- and eighth graders in the contest. I wonder how many would accept the challenge. The questions ranged from fairly easy, like . . . Q: A new education reform bill was introduced in Congress and successfully passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate. What is the next step before the bill can become law? A: The president must sign the bill into law or take no action for 10 days, after which it will automatically become law. . . . to the detailed and difficult, for example. . . Q: In Federalist number 39, how does Madison distinguish between a federal and national government, and what does this distinction suggest about the nature of the Constitution as a product of the convention? A: Madison claims that the Constitution is both federal and national, with the House of Representatives representing the national and the Senate representing the federal, suggesting that the constitution will balance power between the state and national. (I got that one wrong. I picked the answer with the House representing the federal and Senate national). In addition to the multiple choice, the five finalists had to read from and answer judges' questions on an essay they wrote on a current issue, ranging from saving rural hospitals to reforming state policy on driver's license revocation. When all was said and done, Tanya Ramesh of Wichita won the competition, a $1,000 giant check, and a ticket to Washington for the national finals. Madeline Stewart of Overland Park took second and $500, while Zane Hoff of Salina got third and $250. I thought the Civics Bee was one of the coolest events I've been to in a while, so I hesitate to even bring this up, but some of the questions probably need updating in this era of MAGA. For instance: Q: How did Afroyim versus Rusk in 1967 affect the government's power regarding citizenship revocation? A: It limited the government's ability to to revoke citizenship. Afroyim v. Rusk was a landmark case that ruled: 'Congress has no power under the Constitution to divest a person of his United States citizenship absent his voluntary renunciation thereof. ' The court's revised that stance since, to allow citizenship to be revoked (called denaturalization) if it was granted on false pretenses that would have prevented it in the first place, for example, terrorists or Nazi war criminals living under false identities. Now, denaturalization has become a key part of President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to deport as many non-white immigrants as possible, whom he accuses (echoing a former world leader named Adolf) of 'poisoning the blood of our country.' During his first term, Trump created 'Operation Second Look,' a program to comb immigrant citizens' paperwork for misstatements or errors that would allow them to be denaturalized. This term, his top immigration advisor, Stephen Miller, has vowed to 'turbocharge' Operation Second Look, which could also lead to denaturalization and deportation of American-born children of immigrants, under Trump's executive order that purports to end birthright citizenship. Another Civics Bee question that caught my attention was this one: Q: Which statement best reflects the application of federalism in the Clean Air Act, considering the following quotation, 'the Clean Air Act represents a partnership between federal and state governments to improve air quality and to protect public health.' A: The federal government sets national standards, while states can implement stricter regulations based on local needs. That's the way it's supposed to work. But it brought to mind a recent press release I got from Kansas 1st District Rep. Tracey Mann, taking a victory lap over Congress rolling back California anti-pollution regulations. At the time, I remember thinking, 'What business is this of Tracey Mann's?' given that he represents a district that sprawls from Colorado to one county away from Missouri, where there are about four times as many cows as people and the largest city, Lawrence, would be a minor suburb of Los Angeles. What he knows of the pollution challenges facing California I'm guessing would fit on a microscope slide, but he couldn't care less as long as he can own some libs and send out a press release titled: 'Rep. Mann Reverses Biden Green New Deal Policies.' When I was growing up, we didn't have civics bees. We barely had any civics education. Truth be told, most of what we ever knew about the workings of government came from 'Schoolhouse Rock,' three-minute educational cartoons sandwiched between Jonny Quest and Scooby-Doo on Saturday mornings. Cue the music: 'I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.' I can't help thinking if we'd had civics bees back then, we wouldn't be in this mess we're in today. So it lifts my heart to see these earnest young kids competing over who knows the most about the people and ideals that built America. It gives me great hope that their future will be better than the present that my generation has handed them.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Destin Middle School student named champion of Florida's 2025 National Civics Bee
DESTIN, Fla. (WKRG) — A Destin Middle School student has earned first place in the 2025 National Civics Bee and is moving forward to the National Finals. Woman in audience during Saenger Theatre shooting speaks out According to an Okaloosa County Schools news release, eighth-grader Noah Finkler began his Civics journey in early March at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's inaugural National Civics Bee, which earned him a $500 prize and a trophy. That win led him to compete and win first as the Florida Champion of the 2025 bee, earning him a $1,000 prize, the release said. Noah will now go on to the National Finals, along with other top students from across the country, to compete in the National Civics Bee in Washington D.C. this fall for a chance to win prizes such as a $100,000 education savings plan, according to the release. 'The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has given students a tremendous opportunity to engage in civic education,' said President and CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ted Corcoran. 'We were honored to be the first Chamber in Florida to participate, and it has been inspiring to see students like Noah thrive in this competition.' The National Civics Bee is an initiative founded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the goal of which is to promote a passion for civic learning among middle schoolers like Noah, the release said. Kimberly-Clark plans $130M expansion in Mobile, adds 29 jobs 'This is an incredible achievement for Noah, and we couldn't be prouder,' Okaloosa County Schools Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. 'His dedication to civic education and ability to excel on such a competitive stage speaks volumes. We look forward to cheering him on as he represents Florida at the national level.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Three local students advance to state level of National Civics Bee Competition
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – Three local students are advancing to the state level of the National Civics Bee Competition. The inaugural competition was held on April 24th at Grovetown High School. According to the Columbia County Chamber, twenty middle school students from across the region competed in the event, which tested their civics knowledge and essay writing skills. According to organizers, Vivienne K., an 8th grade student from Stallings Island Middle School, came in first place, Alexander L., an 8th grader from Augusta Christian Schools, came in second, and Keely S., an 8th grader from Riverside Middle School, placed third. Organizers state that the first through third place winners earned cash prizes and trophies, and each of the twenty students who competed in this week's finals received a certificate and an Amazon Fire tablet. The top three students will now advance to the state level of the National Civics Bee in Atlanta, Georgia on June 27th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protestors outside Sen. Argall's office object to civics bee question
A group of about 10 protestors gathered outside the Pottsville office of State Sen. David Argall (R-Rush Twp.) on Wednesday in objection to Argall's recent question to a sixth-grade student during the local round of the National Civics Bee. The protestors held signs referring to the question that Argall posed on the topic of book banning, when he asked the student if pornographic magazines should be allowed in kindergarten. Argall, a Republican who represents Schuylkill, Carbon and southern Luzerne counties, has since apologized for the question, admitting that it was inappropriate for the setting and that he made a mistake in asking it. But the fact that Argall asked it to begin with shows that Republicans politicians on the local, state and federal levels are so used to relaying MAGA talking points that they now do it without considering the audience, said Claire Kempes of Pottsville, who helped lead the protest. 'We really oppose book banning, and we oppose the way that Sen. Argall handled that question,' she said. 'They (Republican lawmakers) are scared to death to speak truth to power anymore. They use 'Maga-speak' even when talking to an 11-year-old kid.' Argall's Pottsville office was closed for a staff event midday Wednesday when the protest occurred, according to a sign on the door. Argall's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Protestors gather for a rally against Sen. David Argall's civics bee question outside the senator's office on Centre Street in Pottsville, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) The civics competition was held April 16 by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at the Penn State Schuylkill campus in Schuylkill Haven. A North Schuylkill sixth grader told the panel about her essay topic — book banning. The girl was referred to as Mary A. since the National Civics Bee has a strict policy stating that competitors should only be identified by their first name and last initial. When it was Argall's turn to talk to her, he noted the issue was relevant and widely debated in the state Senate. He then repeated to Mary a question that he said was brought up to the Senate recently: 'Should pornographic magazines be allowed in kindergarten?' Mary asked the senator for clarification: 'What does that mean?' Argall replied, 'Pictures of naked people.' Mary said that she doesn't believe such materials should be allowed in kindergarten and clarified what she meant by her topic of book banning. 'I don't think certain things like that should be allowed in schools for younger people, but that's a big difference than other books about … other people — people trying to be themselves — books like that are getting banned,' she explained. 'But I do agree that books like that should not be in elementary schools and kindergarten.' After the event, Mary's mother, Erin Anderson, said in a public Facebook post that the question 'was both wildly inappropriate and ridiculous.' Anderson said the discussion had no place at the civics bee, noting that her daughter's paper had nothing to do with pornography. 'I don't know when Mr. Argall last stepped foot in a library, but they aren't providing pornography,' Anderson wrote. 'Discussing this with my 6th grade daughter on a public stage shows a shocking lack of decency.' The post gathered a huge online reaction, with most joining in the criticism of Argall. Argall posted an apology on Facebook and emailed it in response to a question. 'During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting,' he said. 'I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. 'I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the General Assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again.' Colleen Kucirka of West Penn Township was among the protestors on Wednesday, holding a sign that said, 'Ban porn questions at the civics bee, not books.' Argall's question was embarrassing not just for the student and her family, but for all of those attending the event, and it forced parents to answer questions about pornography from their children, she said. Kempes agreed, and again said Argall's question was part of a larger problem in today's politics. 'It's scary,' she said. 'People need to be paying attention. We are.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania senator asked child ‘pornography' question during civics competition
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania State Senator is apologizing after posing a pornography question to a sixth grade girl during a civics competition. On Wednesday, a local National Civics Bee competition was held at Penn State Schuylkill in Schuylkill Haven, giving students in grades 6-8 a chance to 'flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.' According to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce website, these student competitors came to discuss a variety of essay topics. Rapper Azealia Banks says she regrets Trump vote However, one student's topic of Book Banning drew a bit of controversy, not because of her topic, but because of a question asked by one of the participating judges, who happens to be a State Senator. According to a Facebook post by the mother of the girl whose essay was about book banning, State Sen. David Argall (R-Carbon/Luzerne/Schuylkill) asked the sixth grader if it was 'appropriate to give pornographic magazines to kindergarteners.' The mother says her daughter asked what the senator meant, seemingly because the young girl did not know what pornography was. Argall, the mother says, then responded by telling the young girl that pornography was 'naked pictures of people.' 'This discussion has no place at the Civics Bee,' the mother shared online. 'I am further appalled and furious that I now have to explain pornography to my fourth grader who was there to cheer on her sister.' Facebook sending out $40 payments to users over 'Like button' issue In response to the incident, Argall told abc27 news the following: During last night's local round of the National Civics Bee, I posed a question as a volunteer judge to a participant that was not age-appropriate for this setting. I apologize to the young lady, her family, and all the participants who worked hard to get to this point, with excellent presentations by the students who submitted entries on book bans and many other important subjects. I was attempting to ask if some books and magazines are not appropriate for some age groups, a subject which has received considerable attention in the general assembly in recent years. In hindsight, my obvious mistake was in citing an example that was itself not appropriate for this age group, a mistake which I will not make again. State Senator Argall The next round of the Civics Bee will be held in Harrisburg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
