STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Five Shelburne Middle School 7th-graders competed in the local round of the National Civics Bee, a nationwide competition to insprie young minds to engage with American Democracy, on Tuesday, April 8.

After answering 20 civics questions and sharing their essay ideas with a panel of judges, two of them placed in the Top 3 and will move on to compete in the state competition.

Tzophia Francis placed 2nd and won $250. Promise Wayland played 3rd and won $125. The two students will compete in Williamsburg in June.

One finalist from each state will have the chance to compete in the national championship in Washington, D.C. this fall. Teaching staff, Corrina Hunter, Dr. Jennifer Turner, Michelle Freed, Teley Tate and Tara Walters have been working with the students to prepare for the competition.