Sedona AZ (January 25, 2016) – Political candidates’ appeal every day for citizens’ votes. But democracy–the foundation of American life–involves much more than the right to vote. We also have the responsibility to know what we’re voting for–how our local, state, and federal governments work. “Civics” is the basic knowledge every citizen needs to understand the news and to evaluate candidates’ claims. Everyone’s civics knowledge needs a periodic check-up. Is yours up to par? How about Sedona’s community leaders?
Find out in a lively, entertaining, thought-provoking way at Sedona’s Civics Challenge–a tournament of exciting quizzes, pitting teams from leading community organizations against each other, in single elimination matches. It will be held on Thursdays, February 11 and 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Yavapai College’s Sedona Center, 4215 Arts Village Dr.,Sedona.
This event is being put on by the League of Women Voters Greater Verde Valley, Philosophy in the Public Interest at NAU, and OLLI (the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute). Admission is free.
On February 11, eight teams will square off against each other in four two-team matches, each cheered on by their fans. The four winning teams will contend, on February 18, in the semi-finals.
The two victorious teams will meet immediately afterwards in the final round. The winning team will be declared Sedona’s Civics Champion, receive a trophy, take a victory lap, and high-five all their supporters in the room. The winning team members also will receive certificates for dinner for two at local restaurants.
The competing organizations will include The City of Sedona, Democrats of the Red Rocks, Great Decisions, Mingus Mountain Republican Club, Rotary Club of Sedona, Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks, Sedona Red Rock High School, and Sedona/Verde Valley Secular Freethinkers.
By stepping up to participate in this showdown, all of these groups are making a much-appreciated contribution to bringing “civics” to our community’s attention in a animated, informative way. Their team members will serve as role-models of what concerned, involved citizens know.
The quiz questions will be about government, history, and current events. About one-third will be about the USA, a third about Arizona, and a third about Sedona and the Verde Valley. They will call for the range of knowledge every good citizen should have. In fact, during the quiz, audience members will jot down their own answers, thereby being active participants in the whole experience and getting feedback on what they know. But they’ll keep their answers to themselves, while the contestants’ accuracy will be displayed for everyone to see.
Although the quiz will be more educational and fun than cut-throat competitive, the audience’s cheers for the players on their favorite teams will spur them on.
Entertainment will be provided by Shondra of Tom and Shondra Entertainment.
We can’t predict the ultimate winner of the Sedona’s Civics Challenge, but we do know that everyone participating, audience and contestants, will have a good time and learn some useful information about our town, state, and nation. For information about the Sedona Civics Challenge contact Barbara Litrell, 649-0135 or blitrell@aol.com.