By the time I pulled onto the campus of Halifax Community College early on the morning of December 13, I could already feel the anticipation. 

There’s something special about arriving before the crowd — especially when you know the space will soon be filled with young people ready to compete, learn, and demonstrate their knowledge of our democracy. 

As an alumnus of HCC, hosting our Civics Bowl there made the moment even more meaningful.

I began the day unloading my vehicle with cases of bottled water and snacks generously donated by Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, a local electric cooperative that understands the importance of investing in students. Those small acts of preparation set the tone for what became an unforgettable day.

As students arrived, the energy in the room shifted instantly. 

There were smiles and nervous excitement. 

One of my favorite early moments came by showing students the boxes of Civics Bowl t-shirts, purchased through the generosity of SunEnergy1, LLC. They grabbed their sizes, went to the restrooms, and changed. Those shirts quickly became a badge of pride — something that said, I’m here, I belong, and I’m ready.

The idea for the Civics Bowl came from a simple realization. Our area had not hosted a local quiz bowl–style academic competition in four to five years. 

As someone who competed in quiz bowl as a high school student, I knew firsthand how powerful those experiences could be. Not every scholar can be a student-athlete, but every student deserves an opportunity to compete, to test their knowledge, and to be celebrated for their intellect. 

Competitions like this give students another lane to shine alongside their peers.

Since being elected in 2024, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about how to meaningfully engage young people and encourage civic participation early. 

The Civics Bowl became that idea — a way to bring students together, spark curiosity about government and history, and show them that civic engagement can be both accessible and exciting.

Warren County Schools had arrived by bus before anyone else. At the time, it simply seemed like punctuality. By the end of the day, it felt like a sign. 

Warren County would go on to win the championship, with Weldon City Schools, the host team, earning a well-deserved runner-up finish. 

From the outset, though, it was clear that every team had come prepared.

One of the most powerful moments of the day had nothing to do with scores or trophies. We were joined by the Honorable Justin Moore, newly elected town commissioner for

Weldon, and the Honorable Kyjuan Faison Mobley, the newly elected mayor of Garysburg – and the youngest mayor in North Carolina. Their presence alone sent a message that civic leadership is not something reserved for “someday.”

Mayor Mobley drove that message home by sharing his own journey: attending town commission meetings at 17, being elected commissioner at 22, and now serving as mayor at 24. 

Watching students listen to someone so close to their own age who is already leading a town was a reminder of why civic education matters.

HCC President Dr. Patrena B. Elliott welcomed the students and reinforced the connection between education and civic engagement. 

We were also honored to share a video message from Governor Josh Stein, encouraging students to stay engaged, participate fully, and have fun with the competition.

This event would not have been possible without tremendous behind-the-scenes support. I am deeply grateful to HCC Special Events Coordinator McDonald Scott for his tireless work. I also want to thank Albemarle Regional Library Director Hugh Davis (timekeeper) and Historic Halifax Assistant Site Manager Frank McMahon (moderator) for volunteering their time and talents.

The true stars of the day, however, were the students. They took the competition seriously, and I loved that. I was especially proud that we had representation from every county in House District 27 and from nearly every form of K–12 education in the district: two private schools (Halifax Academy and Northeast Academy), one charter school (Hobgood Charter School), and five traditional LEAs – Halifax County Schools, Weldon City Schools, Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, Northampton County Schools, and Warren County Schools.

I’ll admit, my original competition format didn’t survive the first round. I had planned 10-minute matchups in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and a 15-minute championship round, but that idea fell apart with Frank’s pace asking questions and Warren County correctly answering nearly 50 questions consecutively in its opening round — leaving Hobgood Charter School without a chance to answer even one. I felt terrible and emailed Coach Terry Coggin and Principal Juliana Harris Monday to apologize.

We adjusted quickly, moving to 25 questions per round. Each team had received a 215-question study guide in advance, so we weren’t going to run out. These students were hungry — intellectually and competitively — and it showed.

During an intermission, Wanda Briggs Trevino, headmaster of Northeast Academy and a proud self-described history nerd, approached me with thoughtful suggestions to improve the tournament. 

Davis chimed in as well. I didn’t take offense — I took notes. 

In fact, I found myself thinking they might be my co-chairs for next year’s planning committee.

Looking ahead, I see tremendous potential. We could move to a double-elimination format, track cumulative points, and recognize the top three teams. 

This year’s champions received $50 gift cards and a trophy, while the runner-up earned $20 gift cards. Next year, we can build on that.

The enthusiasm extended well beyond the students. Coaches, families, and school leaders showed up in force. I want to thank Halifax County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Cunningham and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tyrana Battle, as well as Warren County Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis, for being there for their students. That kind of leadership presence matters.

Halifax County Schools even held its own internal Civics Bowl tournament between its three high schools — Halifax County Early College High School, Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy, Northwest Collegiate and Technical Academy — to determine its team. As a Northwest alumnus, it meant the world to see my district embrace this concept.

This Civics Bowl may have started as an idea, but it has the potential to become something much bigger. After the first competition, I can say this with confidence: Eastern North Carolina’s civic future is bright, and it is in very good hands.

Rodney Pierce is the state representative for North Carolina House District 27