Photo provided by Dave Anderson at InSync Photography + Design. View all event photos here.
DENVER—April 19, nearly 100 community members gathered at the University of Denver to watch the Denver Metro Chamber’s local competition for the National Civics Bee, done in partnership with the Daniels Fund. The National Civics Bee, a pilot program promoted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, aims to create a strong country, economy and workforce through greater civic knowledge and participation. The competition was open to middle schoolers throughout the Metro Denver region, and after submitting essay applications, 20 finalists were selected and 17 participated in the Denver Metro Chamber’s local contest. From the Denver contest, the top three students were awarded cash prizes, and were advanced to the state competition on May 19.
The competition was emceed by the President and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Board Chair for the Denver Metro Chamber, George Sparks. Special guests included Chief Impact Officer for United Way and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s 9News Leader of the Year, Vanecia Kerr; and the CEO for the Daniels Fund, Hanna Skandera.
“Our country was founded with a belief that civics knowledge was core to the health of our republic,” said Skandera. “From the very beginning, the founders of our country understood that for the American form of government to thrive, its citizens would need to be informed and engaged in our processes.”
After three rounds of civics-based questions, the top students were awarded first, second and third place, as well as cash prizes. The prizes and winners are listed below:
- Penny Kim, Merrill Middle School – $2,000 cash prize, also matched as a donation to their school
- James Rall, Denver School of the Arts – $1,000 cash prize
- Aanshi Shah, Thunder Vista P-8 – $500 cash prize
Closing remarks were provided by the Denver Metro Chamber’s President and CEO, J. J. Ament. “The Denver Metro Chamber is thrilled to have played a role in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee program,” said Ament. “Understanding how government operates and functions is a crucial part of any community, and many students—as well as adults—would greatly benefit from better civic engagement and knowledge.”
The top three students from each regional competition are advancing to the Colorado State National Civic Bee competition on May 19.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce:
For 156 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been the leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state and employs some 400,000 Coloradans, the Chamber serves the small and large businesses who create Colorado’s economy. The Chamber family includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Denver Metro Chamber’s Leadership Foundation. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
About the Daniels Fund:
The Daniels Fund, established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, is a private charitable foundation dedicated to making life better for the people of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming through its grants program, scholarship program, and ethics initiative. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.