Judging by the results of our recent Regional Competition for the National Civics Bee®, I may not be.

Our Overland Park Chamber Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Civic Trust, hosted 20 middle schoolers on the Midwest Trust Center stage at Johnson County Community College to test their civics knowledge.

Why is this program important to our Chamber Foundation and the U.S. Chamber?

Civics matters because too many Americans cannot answer even basic questions about their government: many cannot name the First Amendment rights, only about one-third know the Supreme Court has nine justices, and only about one-fifth of eighth graders are proficient in civics.

Fewer than half of Americans can name all three branches of government, demonstrating that even the basic structure of government is not widely understood. Just half of Americans could correctly name the branch where bills become laws.

Students who participate gain knowledge of American democracy, practice respectful and constructive engagement, and build trust in others and in institutions. As they compete for prizes, they strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way.

Thanks to our sponsors, the Shipley-Westbrook Trust, JCCC, and the Health Forward Foundation, our local competition drew student competitors from across Northeast Kansas, representing public and private schools in Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Mission, Olathe, Topeka, and Leavenworth. Initially, students submit essays proposing ideas to improve their communities, with ambitious topics including:

Student athlete mental health

• Voter turnout
• Housing affordability
• Invasive species
• Minors vaping
• Aquifer restoration
• AI education
• Healthcare access
• Bullying
• Urban heat islands
• Trash
• Public education
• Migrant equality
• Community service

Twenty finalists selected from the essay pool compete in a civics quiz, then the top five present their essay topics and answer questions from civic leader judges. The top three will represent our region at the state competition at the Kansas Leadership Center, where the winner will advance to the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s competition for the $100,000 prize for their education.

The thought and passion these young students brought to their projects was impressive. I wish every Chamber member had been in the audience – I know you would share my pride in them and my optimism about our future. My hope is that you’ll help us spread the word to your student or to others with middle schoolers to participate in the next competition. Whether you have a student or not, I hope you’ll join me at the next competition to test your knowledge!