The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), a Wichita-based nonprofit, is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and four chambers of commerce across Kansas to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition on May 9 at KLC in downtown Wichita.

The Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee will feature middle school student finalists from four local competitions hosted by participating chambers in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg and Wichita. Students will share their ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics. Family, friends and spectators will not get off the hook, as the audience will play along and test their civic knowledge too! The winner will receive a cash prize and represent Kansas in the national championship in Washington, D.C. on November 12, 2024.

The Kansas State Finals on May 9 will include a half day of special programming sponsored by Fidelity Bank that explores “Our Place in Democracy.” There will be a poetry reading from Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate emeritus and Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, as well as a keynote from David Adkins, former Kansas legislator and current executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments, and staff members Chris Green and Maren Berblinger facilitate group conversation on the part we all play in shaping the civic health of our communities. In addition, community-based organizations will also be in attendance sharing ways to get involved in the neighborhood, community and civic life.