First-ever Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
May 9 at the Kansas Leadership Center
Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), a Wichita-based nonprofit, is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and four chambers of commerce across Kansas to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition on May 9 at KLC in downtown Wichita.
“We are proud to host the National Civics Bee Kansas state finals. We believe that informed and active citizens make for more innovative and connected communities, which means a strong democracy, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, the Kansas Leadership Center fosters greater civic knowledge throughout Kansas and celebrates our civic pride,” said Kaye Monk-Morgan, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center.
The Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee will feature middle school student finalists from four local competitions hosted by participating chambers in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg and Wichita. Students will share their ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics. Family, friends and spectators will not get off the hook, as the audience will play along and test their civic knowledge too! The winner will receive a cash prize and represent Kansas in the national championship in Washington, D.C. on November 12, 2024.
The Kansas State Finals on May 9 will include a half day of special programming sponsored by Fidelity Bank that explores “Our Place in Democracy.” There will be a poetry reading from Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate emeritus and Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, as well as a keynote from David Adkins, former Kansas legislator and current executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments, and staff members Chris Green and Maren Berblinger facilitate group conversation on the part we all play in shaping the civic health of our communities. In addition, community-based organizations will also be in attendance sharing ways to get involved in the neighborhood, community and civic life.
Kansas State Finals Agenda
2:00 PM Our Place in Democracy
- Poetry reading, Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate emeritus and Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow
- Keynote, David Adkins, executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments and former Kansas legislator
- A public square for all to lead:” Staff members Chris Green and Maren Berblinger facilitate group conversation on the part we all play in shaping the civic health of our communities
4:30 PM Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
6:30 PM Networking Reception
The Kansas State Finals and related pre-programming are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
Community Partners
The following organizations will have tables at the event to share ways to get involved in your community:
- StoryCorps’ One Small Step
- Kansas Farm Bureau (Engaged Kansas)
- Neighboring Movement
- Sedgwick County Election Office
- Wichita Documenters
Not a Kansas resident? Learn more about the National Civics Bee and find a local competition in your state!
About the Kansas Leadership Center
The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit educational organization with a civic mission, national reputation and global reach. Founded in 2007 to foster leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities, KLC receives core funding from the Kansas Health Foundation (a private, philanthropic organization). It partners with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, businesses and communities to build cultures that are healthy, productive and well-positioned to make measurable progress on daunting challenges and emergent opportunities. KLC Press publishes leadership books and The Journal, a nationally recognized, award-winning civic issues magazine.
Over the past 16 years, KLC has built a strong and respected institution in Kansas designed to deliver leadership development and culture change at unparalleled scale. Now, organizations across the country and around the world look to us to provide resources and consultation to support their own aspirations for mission-driven leadership education. Learn more at www.kansasleadershipcenter.org.
MEDIA:
Carrie Lindeman
316-393-1076
[email protected]
