Wayne County Student goes to Washington, D.C. for National Civics Bee

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, November 12, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce proudly sent Richmond student Ellie Fost to represent Indiana in the 2024 National Civics Bee Championship at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation headquarters in Washington, D.C. The National Civics Bee, organized in collaboration with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, seeks to promote civic engagement and inspire young Americans to take an active role in shaping their communities and nation.

Ellie’s path to the National Civics Bee Championship began with her thought-provoking essay on Teen Mental Health in Schools. In her writing, she combined insightful analysis with well-researched data, creating a compelling argument for greater attention to mental health issues among adolescents. One particularly powerful example was her discussion of the disproportionate ratio of school counselors to students, a stark issue that highlights the strain on resources and the urgent need for more comprehensive support systems in schools. Through this thoughtful approach, Ellie not only shed light on an important topic but also demonstrated her ability to tackle complex social challenges with both empathy and critical thinking.

Ellie earned the opportunity to compete against 27 talented students from across the nation through both her insightful essay and her impressive ability to tackle challenging questions with confidence and clarity. Beyond the competition itself, she also had the privilege of experiencing American democracy up close. During her time in Washington, D.C., Ellie had the chance to visit key national institutions and engage directly with civic leaders, gaining invaluable insight into the workings of government and the principles that shape our democracy.
“We were honored to be able to participate as a regional host site for Indiana’s first year of participation in the National Civics Bee,” said Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Melissa Vance. “To have the state champion hailing from Richmond was the icing on the cake. It is incredible to see talented youth taking time to strategically think and put those ideas into words on a national stage. We couldn’t be prouder of all the middle school students who participated.”

Ellie encountered strong competition in the first quiz round and was unable to advance further in the contest. Nevertheless, she took the opportunity to reflect on her overall experience during the trip to Washington, DC, as well as her time participating in the competition, “Even if I didn’t make it through the national level, I was able to spread my cause at the local and state level.” She also mentioned that getting to see and explore D.C. was her favorite part of the trip.
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The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that it will host the local 2025 National Civics Bee. This exciting opportunity allows students to explore their personal values and deepen their understanding of civics, all while competing for cash prizes and other exciting rewards. The first step for students to get involved is to write and submit an essay, with submissions due by February 4, 2025. For essay requirements and submission details, please visit: Essay Submission

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