Civics Bee Champion

Garrison Middle School student wins Civics Bee competition

Congratulations to Garrison Middle School student Athena Strickler for winning the inaugural Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce Civics Bee competition by writing a 500 word essay responding to the prompt, "What is a problem in your community and what is a possible solution?”

The competition challenges students to connect the foundations and principles of the Constitution. In addition to claiming the first-place trophy, Strickler also walked away with $500 and a guaranteed spot at the statewide civics competition in Olympia in June.

Pioneer Middle School student Joaquin Perez took second place and won a $250 prize. Garrison Middle School student Jesse Vawter finished third and earned a $125 prize while Madison Doyle from Garrison and Phoebe Glaeser from Pioneer rounded out the top five. All top five students also received a tablet computer.

The next round of the National Civics Bee competition will occur at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29 in Olympia, where Strickler will represent the Walla Walla Valley. One student from Washington will be selected to represent the entire state at the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 12.