Quick look: Brea Junior High School seventh-grader Logan Thielen will represent California at the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., after taking first place at the state competition with a proposal focused on bringing creative learning approaches into classrooms.
For 13-year-old Brea Junior High School seventh-grader Logan Thielen, an interest in civics began with a book borrowed from his dad.
Reading about battles that changed history sparked Logan’s curiosity about the nation’s past and eventually led him to the National Civics Bee, a competition that challenges middle school students to demonstrate their understanding of government and civic engagement while proposing solutions to issues in their communities.
“Civics is extremely important because it allows people to learn from the successes and mistakes from our history,” Local said in a video profile produced by the Orange County Department of Education’s Media Services team.
That interest has since taken the Brea Olinda Unified School District student from a regional competition at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum to the California National Civics Bee, where he earned first place June 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
The victory secured his spot representing California at the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall.
For his project, Logan proposed expanding the use of creative learned approaches, including thought experiments that encourage students to consider different scenarios, outcomes and perspectives.
Logan has shared his ideas with education and community leaders, including Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean and members of his executive team, as he works to build support for his proposal.
“Because of the Civics Bee, I’ve been able to get much more involved in my community, learn much more about America’s founding and give back to my community,” Local said. “It’s all been a way for me to help inspire change and make my community a better place.”
A growing confidence
For Logan’s parents, Mike and Jenna Thielen, watching that deep interest develop into something much larger has been especially meaningful.
Mike recalled that the journey began when Logan borrowed his book about battles that changed history and later told his parents he had discovered the National Civics Bee and wanted to enter.
Since then, Mike said his son has grown, matured and gained confidence while sharing his ideas with his district superintendent, Dr. Bean and his team, competing at the state level and speaking before the Yorba Linda City Council.
Outside of civics, Logan enjoys spending time with his family, including his 10-year-old sister, Olivia, as well as going to the beach, swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, jiu-jitsu, playing the violin and cooking. He is also interested in science, math, computer science and entrepreneurship.
Now, Logan is preparing to take his curiosity and civic knowledge to the national stage, representing California among middle school students from across the country at the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., this October.