HEBRON ESTATES — Thanks to an interest in both civics and writing, a local middle school student was honored and earned a prize for her school building.
Hebron Middle School eighth grader Abigail Smith placed in the Top 20 of the National Civics Bee Annual Competition, encouraging young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
The National Civics Bee is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local Chambers. The annual competition encourages middle schoolers to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce Membership/Finance Manager Kara Snellen presented Abigail with a Certificate of Achievement to recognize her successful top 20 placement.
“To earn a spot in the top 20 out of hundreds of essays is a huge accomplishment for Abigail and for Bullitt County,” Snellan said.
The school also received an award, an electronic color message display. Hebron principal Chad Foster credited Abigail for finding information on her own about the competition.
“She found out about it herself, she didn’t ask for help, and she didn’t even let anyone know,” Foster said. “She wrote her essay and submitted it on her own.”
Foster referred to Abigail as an “understated student” who made the Hebron community proud.
“To me, it’s rare to see that much initiative and diligence at that age,” he said. “She has an immense amount to offer.”
Abigail admitted she liked to write, and she came across a contest for middle schoolers interested in civics and political aspects.
“It was a chance to write and speak, and to identify a problem,” she said.
Abigail wrote about homelessness in Bullitt County, specifically addressing that there was not a homeless shelter in the community. She discussed Mark 12 Ministries, a local organization that assists with homeless issues, as well as focusing on how supporting the cause could change homelessness in the county.
“Abigail spoke to me briefly about her essay addressing the homelessness issues within the county,” Snellan said. “To be an eighth grader and addressing hard topics like this is an amazing thing to see.”
Over the summer Abigail hopes to volunteer with Mark 12 at the Outreach Thrift Store in Shepherdsville, which benefits the ministry. She also plans to serve with the Turnaround Resource Center, based in Lebanon Junction, which provides meals and clothes among its many services.
Abigail is also looking into volunteering once a week as a student ambassador at the Louisville Zoo. And on top of it all, she plans to seek employment.
“I’m 14 now, so I will get a job,” she said.
During school, Abigail stays busy participating in archery, volleyball, JROTC Raider and Drill, and the Spirit Club. She was a member of the state-finalist speech team and the district-champion Academic Team, and a state finalist in the Governors Cup competition for Written Composition.
Abigail also received the Individual Outstanding Speaker Award from the Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA).
Next year Abigail has many educational options, including North Bullitt High School. She is also looking into the Bullitt Advanced Math and Science (BAMS) Academy and has earned a scholarship to Presentation Academy in Louisville, along with a boarding school located in Pennsylvania.
Following her education, Abigail hopes to someday become either a politician or a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Abigail is the daughter of Steve and Angela Smith. Her older siblings include Stephen, Dawn, and Daniel, and her younger brother, Adam, is a sixth grader at Hebron.
“Students like Abigail are Bullitt County’s future, Kentucky’s future, and our future.” said Snellan. “I feel like we are in good hands with someone like Abigail at the wheel.”
For more information on the annual National Civics Bee competition visit civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.