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Local middle school students selected to be in National Civics Bee

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By West Kentucky Star staff
Mar. 20, 2023 | PADUCAH
By West Kentucky Star staff Mar. 20, 2023 | 12:58 PM | PADUCAH
Two local middle schoolers are among those who have been selected as local finalists in the National Civics Bee. Their essays were selected among the top 20 of all submissions. 

Emerson Smee, a Murray Middle School sixth grader, and Ella Vandermeulen, a seventh grader at Lone Oak Middle, have so far been selected to participate in the local event, Saturday, April 22, at Paducah’s downtown Carson Center. 

MMS assistant principal Shelley Stubblefield said Smee worked diligently after school researching and writing her essay, focusing on the need for substitute teachers in the Murray/Calloway County community. 

“She really worked hard and wrote a very informative essay on how to become a substitute teacher, which addresses the current shortage of substitute teachers,” Stubblefield said. “I applaud her great work ethic and ability to write and explain an educational need that directly affects education in so many school districts.”

Vandermeulen wrote her essay on her belief that civics should be a core subject and how important it is to have a comprehensive early civics education. Vandermeulen's essay said that many of society's challenges could be addressed through a "hands-on approach."

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is coordinating the event and told West Kentucky Star that more finalists are being confirmed. We will post a full list of area students ahead of the April event.

At the event, the third-place winner will be awarded $125, the second-place winner will receive $250, and the first-place winner will get $500.

All finalists receive a tablet and certificate. The top three also proceed to the state event in Frankfort.
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