Wichita student wins Kansas Civics Bee; Hutchinson among host communities
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita middle school student won the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee on Thursday, advancing to the national championship after defeating competitors from across the state, including finalists from Hutchinson-area schools.
Tanya Ramesh, a student from Robinson Middle School in Wichita, took top honors and earned a $1,000 prize after her presentation on improving access to healthcare in rural Kansas. She will represent Kansas at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., this fall.
Fifteen students from across the state competed in the finals, hosted at chambers of commerce in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina, and Wichita.
Hutchinson's Role in Competition
The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce served as one of five regional hosts for the statewide competition, marking the second year the organization has participated in the national program.
Titus Walker from Hutchinson Middle School 7 won the local Reno County finals held at the Stringer Fine Arts Center, with fellow classmate Jaxson Heller placing second and Rylan Gates from Hutchinson Middle School 8 taking third place.
Nineteen middle schoolers from Hutchinson and Haven participated in the local Civics Bee competition.
Competition Format
The competition combines essay submissions with live quiz challenges testing civic knowledge. Students first submit essays addressing community improvement ideas, with top finalists advancing to live events featuring multiple-choice questions and presentations to judges.
Second place in the state finals went to Prairie Star Middle School student Madeleine Stewart of Overland Park, who received $500 for her presentation on how punitive driving laws affect Kansans in poverty. Zane Hoff, a student at Salina's Lakewood Middle School, placed third and received a $250 prize following his presentation on food insecurity.
Educational Mission
The National Civics Bee is designed to engage sixth, seventh and eighth grade students in community improvement through civic education. "Congratulations to the students who took home prizes, but to me, every student here is a winner. Each has demonstrated both civic knowledge and a passion to serve and benefit their communities," said Kaye Monk-Morgan, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center.
The competition was part of Youth Civics Day, proclaimed by Gov. Laura Kelly to celebrate youth engagement in civic affairs.
The Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita hosted the state finals, while local chambers in participating communities conducted regional competitions throughout the spring. The program is expanding nationally, with plans to reach all 50 states by 2026 in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO GET THE HUTCHINSON CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!
Sponsors (click me!)
