Fourteen-year-old Cameron Parker, a freshman at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, stepped into the halls of the Colorado State Capitol with enthusiasm that most teens might reserve for amusement parks or music festivals.
He met with James Coleman, the President of the Colorado Senate, as part of the lead-in to his trip to Washington, D.C.. There, Cameron will represent Colorado in the national finals of the prestigious National Civics Bee.
Motivation and Inspiration
Cameron decided to enter the competition in honour of his former middle-school social studies teacher, Ryan Conrad, who encouraged his civics knowledge and passion.
“Ryan Conrad, shout out to him, he is an amazing social studies teacher,” Cameron said. He emphasised that civics education is not just important—but critical: “Out of 10, 11 out of 10 importance.”
A Response to Today’s Political Climate
In Cameron’s view, a strong grasp of how government works helps reduce the intensity of what he calls “toxicity in politics.” He explained, “The more education and the more you care about civics, the less of that toxicity is present.” It’s a message aimed at his peers and the broader community alike.
State Leaders Cheer Him On
Senate President James Coleman said that Colorado is proud to have Cameron representing the state: “No disrespect to the other 49 states, but we think we have the best in Cameron Parker, and he’s going to represent us well.”
In addition, Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado, extended his best wishes: “Cameron, I want to wish you good luck in the National Civics Bee.”
Study Time and Preparation
Cameron shared that he has already logged about 80 hours of study in preparation for the event. “I’ll do my best,” he said, “but I don’t want to make assumptions. I don’t want to jinx it.” His commitment shows how seriously he is taking the competition.
Beyond Questions: An Essay on Disaster Preparedness
For the competition, Cameron will not only face a test on government structure and civic principles—he also wrote an essay focused on disaster preparedness.
The inspiration came from his father’s experience during the Marshall Fire, when no alert reached his phone and he only found out about the fire from a colleague’s call.
“I think it would be interesting to get into politics, but right now, civics is about helping my community,” Cameron explained.
What’s at Stake
The winner of the National Civics Bee will receive a $100,000 college scholarship. The competition was established by the Daniels Fund and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to promote civics as a key subject in public education.
Local and state rounds were sponsored by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. The national championship will be held in Washington, D.C., on November 11.
Why This Matters
By representing his state in a national celebration of civics, Cameron is helping shine a light on the importance of civics education, youth involvement in democracy, and how young people can make a real difference.
His journey reminds us that when young citizens engage with their communities and their government, the impact extends far beyond a classroom.
Cameron Parker’s story is a vivid example of how passion, preparation and civic understanding come together. He’s set to stand on a national stage, representing Colorado with poise, dedication and a strong sense of purpose.
His teacher inspired him, his state leaders support him, and now Cameron is stepping into a spotlight that encourages not just competition—but community, learning and leadership.
