The winner of the state competition will advance to the national event in Washington, D.C.

Summer Williamson, an eighth grader at Erik Ramstad Middle School, finished second in Friday’s competition, and Elsa Brown, a seventh grader at Central Middle School, finished third.

Eighteen students competed in the first two rounds of multiple-choice questions that tested their civics knowledge, according to the Minot Area Chamber EDC, which sponsored the local competition.

The 10 students with the highest scores following those rounds and who move on to state competition were Ugobi, Brown and Williamson; Elira Cumani, eighth grade, Bishop Ryan Catholic School; Ethan Faaiuaso, seventh grade, Central Middle School; Madison Fricke, eighth grade, Bishop Ryan; Hanley Grant, eighth grade, Bishop Ryan; Emily Grotte, seventh grade, Central; Emaree Ruby, eighth grade, Bishop Ryan; and Jackson Thompson, eighth grade, Bishop Ryan.

Submitted Photo Chilaka Ugobi stands with judges of the National Civics Bee competition in Minot Friday, April 10, after winning first place. From left are Jarid Lundeen, Ugobi, Brekka Kramer and Tom Joyce. Photo from Minot Area Chamber EDC.

The top 10 students also competed Friday in a question and answer round. They “pitched” the essays they wrote to qualify for the competition to the audience, then answered questions about the essays from the three judges. Serving as judges were Minot City Manager Tom Joyce, Minot Area Chamber EDC President and CEO Brekka Kramer and Minot Area Chamber EDC Board Chair Jarid Lundeen.

Submitted Photo Ten students qualified for state competition in the National Civics Bee event held in Minot Friday, April 10. They are, from left, Emily Grotte, Chilaka Ugobi, Elsa Brown, Jackson Thompson, Ethan Faaiuaso, Summer Williamson, Elira Cumani, Hanley Grant, Emaree Ruby and Madison Fricke. Photo from Minot Area Chamber EDC.