Tobi Marcus, an eighth grader from Legacy Traditional School, has been crowned the champion of the Southern Arizona Civics Bee. His unique approach of connecting poultry farming to civic virtues impressed judges and earned him the top spot in the competition held last weekend.
Unable to have traditional pets due to allergies, Tobi and his brothers opted for chickens, which became more than just pets. Tobi constructed a chicken coop and took responsibility for their care, feeding his family and neighbors with the eggs produced. This experience became the foundation for his award-winning essay, which highlighted how caring for chickens taught him responsibility, self-reliance, and community contribution.
In his essay, Tobi wrote, “Students develop virtues like responsibility, self-reliance, and respect for others through caring for animals, working in teams, and contributing to the community.” He further explained how activities like selling eggs and participating in public events instill accountability, honesty, and civic-mindedness.
The competition, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and organized by The Chamber of Southern Arizona, required participants to navigate two rounds of multiple-choice questions before presenting their essays to a panel of judges. Tobi excelled, answering 17 out of 20 questions correctly and effectively linking his poultry project to the principles of active citizenship and community service.
Judge T.J. Castro, a teacher at Amphitheater Middle School, praised the students’ ability to connect philosophical knowledge with practical application. “To see them build the connection to themselves, finding that passion with it and understanding how it affects them and their community was inspiring,” he said.
Tobi, along with Jack Johnston and Arianna Deras from Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, will advance to the state-level competition in Phoenix next month. Tobi has been a consistent participant, having reached the regional bee in previous years. His dedication to studying, even on weekends, paid off in his final middle school attempt.
Looking ahead, Tobi aims to compete in the National Civics Bee next fall. But first, he and his family will enjoy a summer vacation in Paris, where they hope to expose their children to different cultures. Tobi will also transition to University High School in the Tucson Unified School District, where he plans to pursue his interest in math and join the basketball team.
Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.
