The Wichita Chamber and the Kansas Leadership Center are partnering to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition.
Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship. Civics studies the role of government with particular attention to the responsibility of citizens under a government.
This annual competition encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
In the first round of the contest, local 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students will participate in an essay competition. In partnership with the Chambers of Commerce in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg, and Wichita, KS, judges will select 20 finalists to participate in four local competitions. Those competitions will include a live quiz event testing civics knowledge. The top 3 students from each local competition will advance to the state competition.
Student essays can be submitted through the link below no later than January 8.
Essay Topic
Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem? Write a 500-word essay that includes the following:
- What is the problem, and how do different members in your community or neighborhood view it?
- What civic principles or systems could help to address the problem?
- What is your idea or recommendation for solving the problem?
- What primary sources, such as the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution, provide supporting evidence or examples for your idea or recommendation?
- How might members of your community or neighborhood bring your idea or recommendation to life?
Judging Criteria
Your essay will be evaluated based on how well you:
- Demonstrate an understanding of civics.
- Acknowledge and address opposing points of view.
- Acknowledge and address at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue.
- Use primary sources, like newspapers, data, historical documents, images, or other documents that relate to your idea.
- Clearly describe an idea that is innovative or new to you.
Local Prizes
- First Place: $500 cash prize
- Second Place: $250 cash prize
- Third Place: $125 cash prize
State Prizes
- First Place: $1,000 cash prize
- Second Place: $500 cash prize
- Third Place: $250 cash prize
Click here for more information on eligibility, entry procedure, prizes, rules and judging.