By James Combs
East Ridge Middle wins awards in a state competition
East Ridge Middle School brought home several awards from their state-level competition in “We the People,” a national civics focused contest run by the Center for Civic Education, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in California.
Participating students “testify” before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress. They demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.
East Ridge Middle, the first Lake County public school to compete at the state level, has three classes participate.
- Teacher Michele Bodzioch’s team earned an honorable mention in the overall team competition and Best in the State for Unit 4.
- Teacher Emily Onspaugh’s team won Best in the State for Unit 5.
- Teacher Joseph Haber’s team won the Professionalism award and Best in the State for Unit 6.
“I am eager to see more Lake County schools participate in this competition and ultimately represent our district at the national level in Washington, D.C.,” Joseph says in a press release.
James Combs was a pillar of Akers Media Group since its inception in 2008. Over the years, he had the honor of interviewing Lake & Sumter County's most fascinating personalities, from innovative business owners to heroic war veterans, bringing their incredible stories to life. Throughout his career, James earned over 50 awards for writing excellence, a testament to his talent and dedication. In 2021, he was inducted into the Akers Media Group Hall of Fame. Sadly, James passed away in 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. His legacy of storytelling and excellence continues to inspire us all.
