The Lake Elsinore City Council recognized eighth grader Kora Priske at the May 26 council meeting after she placed first in the Regional Civics Bee, an academic competition that tests students’ knowledge of government, democracy and civic engagement.
Mayor Bob Magee introduced Priske during the meeting, telling the audience she will represent Lake Elsinore at the California State Finals of the National Civics Bee. The competition will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where middle school students from across the state will compete to test their civics knowledge.
“I’m just really thankful to be here and that I can go on to the Ronald Reagan Library and continue to try to win that one for our city,” Priske said.
Winners of the state finals will advance to the national championship in Washington, D.C. The competition is part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and hosted in California by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
Priske said getting ready for the competition required months of studying, and she thanked her parents for helping her along the way.
“It’s a lot of preparation,” she said. “Usually I need a lot of help.”
Priske said the recognition from the city was meaningful because it reflected her hard work.
“This recognition means a lot to me because it proves that I can learn civics and that I know civics,” she said. “It makes me proud to represent my town and to do this for my parents.”
The California state finals are scheduled for June 27 at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
