Student ranks high in ‘1776’ competition
Andrea Russell, Anderson County Schools data and evaluation director, introduces Anderson County High School junior and now rising senior Gavin Degenhart, a Top 20 Southeastern Region finalist for the Presidential 1776 Award, to the Anderson County Board of Education on May 7. (photo:Ben Pounds )
Now a rising senior, he was one of four students representing Tennessee, competing against 200 students nationally in the Department of Education’s civics contest.
First, he took a three-part online examination covering constitutional, historical and civic concepts. He advanced to the second round in Atlanta, in which he answered government and civics questions before judges.
Degenhart said in Atlanta he competed with 40 other students before reaching finalist status.
“It was a cool experience meeting a lot of talented other students from many other high schools, and I was very proud to say that I was from Anderson County,” he said.
He said his favorite topic in the competition was the “critical era,” meaning the time between the American Revolution and the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
He told Anderson County Board of Education member during their May 7 meeting that he is interested in studying law, and considered the competition a “good step into that.”
Andrea Russell, Anderson County Schools data and evaluation director, also praised him.
“Being a Top 20 finalists in the Southeastern Region is an incredible accomplishment and demonstrates Gavin’s dedication, critical thinking and passion for history and civics,” she said. “I’m so proud of the hard work and commitment Gavin has shown throughout this process and how he has carried himself representing our school, our county and state.”
