Vermont taking part for first time in National Civics Bee [Video]

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS VERMONT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A CIVICS COMPETITION THAT’LL TEST KNOWLEDGE AND ASK THEM TO THINK ABOUT WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR CITIES AND TOWNS. THE VERMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS TEAMING UP WITH THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE “U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION.” IT’S THE FIRST TIME VERMONT WILL COMPETE IN THE “NATIONAL CIVICS BEE.” ALL 6th, 7th, AND 8th GRADERS ACROSS THE STATE CAN TAKE PART. THE COMPETITION IS SIMILAR TO SPELLING OR GEOGRAPHY BEES — BUT FOCUSES ON CIVIC KNOWLEDGE AND IDEAS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITIES. THE PROCESS STARTS WITH AN ESSAY, THEN THERE ARE LOCAL COMPETITIONS, AND A STATE FINAL. THE STATE WINNER WILL GO ON TO REPRESENT VERMONT IN THE “NATIONAL CIVICS BEE” IN WASHINGTON D.C. THIS FALL. THE WINNER OF THE WHOLE THING WILL GET A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR EDUCATION SAVINGS PLAN. THERE ARE SMALLER PRIZES AT …