Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership to Host Erie Civics Bee Competition
Erie, Penn. — The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP) will host 20 finalists in the local live event to determine which three students will move on to the statewide competition in June as part of the 2023 National Civics Bee. After a distinguished panel reviewed the 500-word essays, the top 20 students have been selected to move on to the final round of competition: a live quiz event to test their civics knowledge. The Erie Regional Chamber will host this event from 5:30pm – 8pm on May 16th at Mercyhurst University’s Walker Recital Hall. The finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including $500 cash for the first-place student.
“Creating opportunities for students to pursue civic-minded ideas inspires and invests in leaders of tomorrow for Erie,” said Curtis Jones, director of government affairs for the chamber. “The chamber is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber Foundation to bring this opportunity to our area and thus create a pathway for Erie students to be recognized for their vision at a state and national level.”
In February, the chamber engaged local school districts to promote the contest with middle school students. Over 75 students representing six schools throughout the region submitted essays outlining a solution to a community challenge. Twenty finalists were selected to move onto the local competition, which will determine the top three students to move onto the statewide competition to be held in June.
Not a student? You can still test your knowledge (https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/quiz) and support civics education in your home and network.
The general public is invited to attend the local competition. Registration is requested and available online: https://web.eriepa.com/events/National-Civics-Bee-4993/details
About the National Civics Bee
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 in Erie will 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. Middle school students from public, private, charter, and home schools were invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition to be eligible to move on to both the local and statewide competitions.
About the Erie Regional Chamber
The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is committed to leads Erie’s economic evolution through awareness, advocacy, and access to people, education, and information businesses need to grow. ERCGP acts as a collective voice for the business community, representing over 650 businesses and 44,000 employees throughout the region. To learn more or to become a member, visit the Erie Regional Chamber online: www.eriepa.com