Sanford seventh-grader Ezekiel Polley won the regional round of the National Civics Bee competition held at Adams State on Wednesday. Polley was among 20 middle school students who competed for prize money and the chance to advance to the state competition in July.
Polley was awarded $500 first place. Other prize winners were Sanford eighth-grader Avery Duran, second place, $250; and Sierra Grande eighth-grader Areeya Gonzalez-Molina, third place, $150.
Alamosa Chamber of Commerce Director Erin Keck and Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman emceed the competition, with Adams State President David Tandberg, Alamosa City Manager Heather Sanchez and James Kynor, vice president at Trinidad State, serving as judges.
The live quiz bee, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, unfolded inside Richardson Hall at Adams State. The annual competition begins with an essay round, with the highest scores selected to compete in a regional round and then statewide competition.
Polley, Duran and Gonzalez-Molina will compete in the Colorado State Finals on Friday, July 24.
Photographs from the competition at Adams State by Dennis Schoenfelder/Alamosa Citizen.
