Leesburg

Yousef Kiani, an eighth-grader from J. Lupton Simpson Middle School in Leesburg, has secured second place in the Virginia State Finals of the National Civics Bee. Kiani’s achievement comes as part of a competition sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and The Civics Trust, which aims to promote civic education among young Americans.

During the state finals held in Williamsburg, Kiani was bested only by Neil Handa from Henley Middle School in Crozet. Handa will represent Virginia at the National Civics Bee scheduled for November 10-11 in Washington, D.C. Following closely behind Kiani was Arianna McBride from Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, who achieved third place among the 14 finalists in the state competition.

The Loudoun Chamber hosted its inaugural local round of the National Civics Bee, where Kiani overcame 20 other candidates to qualify for the state finals. The local event took place at Morven Park and featured 21 participating middle school students from the region.

Competition Format and Features

To qualify for the National Civics Bee, participating students completed an essay discussing civic issues and potential community solutions. The state finals consisted of three rounds: two live quizzes focusing on the U.S. Constitution, an essay summary presentation, and a question-and-answer segment with judges. These elements are designed to test students’ knowledge of civics and their ability to articulate and present their ideas.

Background on Civic Education Initiatives

This year’s involvement of Virginia in the National Civics Bee coincides with broader educational initiatives led by the VA250 Education Steering Committee and Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. These initiatives aim to enhance civic education across the state and celebrate American democracy, in part due to the country’s 250th anniversary. The Loudoun Chamber emphasized the necessity of civic education and community engagement, highlighting that youngsters should be recognized for their courage in tackling important civic issues.

As part of his participation, Kiani focused his essay on the critical topic of drug use among youth, highlighting its epidemic effects across the nation, along with sharing personal experiences regarding the impact on friends and their communities. For his commendable performance in the finals, Kiani was awarded a $500 prize. Additional monetary awards were also given at the state finals, where Liam Gandhi from Farmwell Station Middle School won second place overall with a $250 prize, and Michael Smith from Blue Ridge Middle School took home a $125 prize for his third-place finish.

Looking Ahead

Aiming to encourage civic engagement among young Americans, the National Civics Bee will continue to provide platforms for students to showcase their knowledge and advocacy skills. Kiani is set to compete in the next state finals scheduled for June 7 in Williamsburg, with the overall winner advancing to the national finals, where prizes valued at over $50,000 await.

Superintendent Aaron Spence expressed congratulations to all participants for their dedication and hard work, emphasizing the essential role that understanding and engagement in democracy play in their lives.