The Odessa Chamber of Commerce hosted the Inaugural National Civics Bee April 15 at the UTPB Science & Technology Building – Cooper Lecture Hall. The Odessa Chamber was one of five Texas Chambers participating and one of 51 across the country. They hope to grow this event in the coming years.
This event was opened up to any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student in Odessa. They were invited to submit an essay on “identify a problem facing our community.” The essays were judged by U.S. Chamber representatives and 10 students were selected from Harmony Science Academy, Adinvita Private School and St. John’s Episcopal School to participate in the live Civics Bee here in Odessa. Three Odessans served as local judges for the live event: Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett, Young Professionals of Odessa Board Chair Kaylie Banda and Dr. Adrian Vega, Executive Director of the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. Odessa American Publisher Pat Canty served as the event emcee.
First, 2nd and 3rd place winners will advance to the 2023 Texas Civics Bee this summer.
1st Place Winner – $500
- Vasty Urias
- 8th Grade – Adinvita Private School
2nd Place Winner – $250
- Alina Ahmad
- 8th Grade – Harmony Science Academy
3rd Place Winner – $125
- Elijah Munoz
- 7th Grade – St. John’s Episcopal School
4th Place – $50 Cinergy Gift Card
- Moyinoluwa “Precious” Omotoye
- 8th Grade – Harmony Science Academy
5th Place – $50 Cinergy Gift Card
- Zoey Tijerina
- 6th Grade – Adinvita Private School
“All of the student participants were well prepared. We could tell they had spent much time and effort writing their essay topics and studying for the quiz questions. We were so proud and pleased to host this event and look forward to expanding it to more students next year,” said Renee’ Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce.
