Dante Capaldo from Gates Chili Middle School took first place at the National Civics Bee local qualifier held March 10 in Rochester. The event was hosted by the Greater Rochester Chamber in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The Civic Trust. Daniel Rappazo and Jessica D’Anunzio, also from Gates Chili, rounded out the top three.
Scores were determined based on multiple choice quizzes and a final round of verbal arguments about civics topics of the students’ choice. To qualify, students submitted written essays on the same topics. Student topics included a range of issues important to them, including local infrastructure improvements, public health, workforce development, and more.
The National Civics Bee is an exciting opportunity extended to students in grades 6, 7, and 8, granting them a unique platform to demonstrate their civics knowledge. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement, fostering responsible citizenship, and reinforcing the future of our Greater Rochester region.
Capaldo, Rappazo, and D’Anunzio will go on to represent the Greater Rochester region in the New York State qualifier for the National Civics Bee in Albany on May 30, hosted by the NYS Business Council. They will compete with other students from around the state to represent NYS at the national competition to win a $1,000 cash prize.
The eighteen finalists who participated in the local qualifier were:
•Addison Edlund, Gananda Middle School
•Alexandria Joseph, Gates Chili Middle School
•Amelia Todd, Gates Chili Middle School
•Arianna Rodgers, Gates Chili Middle School
•Ashten Moore, Gates Chili Middle school
•Brycen Durnion, Gates Chili Middle School
•Clayton Campbell, Gates Chili Middle School
•Daniel Rappazzo, Gates Chili Middle School
•Dante Capaldo, Gates Chili Middle School
•Ellie Bliss, Allendale Columbia School
•Imagine Maddox, Gates Chili Middle School
•Jessica D’Anunzio, Gates Chili Middle School
•Kellan Senator, Gates Chili Middle School
•Kodi Gamble, Gates Chili Middle School
•Liam Place, Gates Chili Middle School
•Madison Makohon, Gates Chili Middle School
•Stella Jacob, Gananda Middle school
•Taj Pandher, Gates Chili Middle School
The National Civics Bee is supported in part by Greater Rochester Chamber Foundation. To learn more, please visit https://www.greaterrochesterchamber.com/about-us/greater-rochester-chamber-foundation/.
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