A Tamaqua Area School District student won first place in the recent National Civics Bee competition hosted by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at Penn State Schuylkill. The Civics Bee does not release the full names of the winners.

The winner, Aaron K., won $1,000. His topic was “inclusive recreation.”

Second place went to Mihir P., of Saint Ignatius Loyola Regional School, for his topic of “outdoor lighting,” and third place was won by Mary A., of North Schuylkill School District, for her topic of book banning. They won $500 and $250 respectively.

The student competitors’ last names are not released as per rules outlined by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The trio will represent Schuylkill County in the Pennsylvania State Competition in Harrisburg in June.

The winners also received trophies sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pottsville and created by ET Trophy Shop. Cash prizes were provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Hidden River Credit Union.

The civics bee saw 18 contestants from middle schools across Schuylkill County. The Schuylkill Chamber said the students demonstrated incredible civic knowledge, courage, and passion for their communities.

The bee began with a pre-event gathering and catered dinner for all students provided by Hess Catering.

Finalists competed using tablets donated by Walmart, which they were able to take home as a gift.

Parents of participants received $20 gas gift cards courtesy of Onvo to help cover travel expenses.

The National Civics Bee is a nonpartisan competition designed to encourage civic engagement and reward students for their understanding of American democracy.

Open to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students, the competition offers the chance to win local, state, and national recognition — and up to $100,000 in cash prizes at the national level.

State winners will compete in the National Championship this fall in Washington, D.C.