LYNDON CENTER – Walden Elementary School sixth-grader, Azailya Lesperance, won first place and a cash prize at the Regional Civics Bee, Friday, April 10. The event at Lyndon Institute was organized by the NEK Chamber of Commerce.
courtesy photo
Azailya’s social studies and global citizenship teacher Katey Foster said she learned of the National Civics Bee’s regional competition for 6-8th grade students several months ago and encouraged her sixth-graders to enter the contest. It involved writing an essay describing an issue of concern to them, identifying founding principles and virtues that their issue was related to and suggesting meaningful ways they could address an aspect of their chosen issue.
Two of Foster’s students took up the challenge with great passion, she said. They stayed after school to work on their essays into the evening.
Azailya’s essay earned her one of twenty slots at the Regional Civics Bee competition.
For months, Azailya dove into the study of civics in class, and for many hours of her personal time preparing, said Foster.
The competition consisted of two rounds of 10 multiple choice questions. The top-five finishing students would then move on to the final round, which required participants to stand before a panel of judges, and the audience of their peers and families, to summarize their essay and respond to questions posed by the judges.
Azailya was one of only two sixth-graders there and was tied for first place with the most questions answered correctly after the first two rounds.
She was called up first for the public speaking portion of the competition, said Foster. “Azailya walked with poise to the podium, delivered her summary and took questions from the judges, [responding] with confidence and clarity.”
“Azailya is excited to carry on with her studies of civics in addition to her engagement in education reform discussions,” said Foster. “This young woman has come such a long way into herself over these past several months; participating in student voice initiatives, attending press conferences at the state house and competing with peers from around the state. I could not be more proud of her hard work and dedication.”
Azailya will now move on to the State Civics Bee Finals in Stowe on Monday, June 8. Winners from that competition will go on to the nation’s capitol to compete in the National Civics Bee.
I love this story about Azailya. It’s a great example of what can happen at a small rural school.
Paul Fixx, editor