JACKSON TWP. ‒ When Aarit Koul was in sixth grade at Jackson Memorial Middle School, his social studies teacher told the class about the Civics Bee.
Participants write an essay about a problem in their community and offer solutions.
Aarit quickly scribbled down some thoughts about the environment during lunch and handed it to his teacher, Julie Able.
“I had recently come across a lot of conversation about the environmental catastrophe, and I could offer some solutions and could be heard,” the now Jackson High freshman said. “I wasn’t confident in my ability (back then) and wasn’t sure I would even turn it in.”
But Able was confident in her young pupil and encouraged him to submit it.
His essay placed second in the local competition and later he took fourth at the state competition. A national competition hadn’t been created at that time.
He was hooked, hitting the books to learn more about the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. He dove into the nation’s history, today’s political landscape and issues big and small.
Next week, Aarit will join finalists from across the nation in Washington, D.C., for the National Civics Bee Nov. 11 and 12 at the Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
First place lands the winner a $100,000 college fund.
What is the National Civics Bee?
The annual competition inspires youngsters to engage in civics and contribute to their communities, giving sixth, seventh and eighth graders the chance to showcase their knowledge.
After his first try at the local and state competitions, Aarit said, he realized he had much to learn.
He got to work studying and learning.
When the contest rolled around the next year, his essay focused on screentime, an issue impacting him and his peers.
He placed first at the local and state level and earned a trip top the inaugural national competition.
When he hits the national stage, he will present his solutions on the troubled health care system in the United States.
“We have a healthcare system that is not accessible to everyone,” the 14-year-old said before his trip. “Whether it’s affordability or insurance issues, we have a failing system.”
The U.S. system suffers despite spending around 18% of the gross domestic product, he said.
“I looked at Canada, Great Brittan, Switzerland and Germany and came up with a hybrid system.”
Aarit’s solutions to helping to fix the problem include expanding Medicaid in the 10 states that have not expanded it in the Affordable Care Act and offering citizens a government-sponsored private insurance that would make it more competitive among insurance providers.
“It would allow for better negotiations on price with big pharma and medical institutions,” he said.
His ideas earned him a first place at the local competition in April, while he was still an eighth grader, and another victory at the state level, this summer.
While he’s excited to compete, he enjoys the friendships he’s made with the other competitors.
Aarit is part of a group chat with fellow competitors. He says sometimes their messages are goofy but something they discuss important topics.
“The connections that we build are important but obviously bringing attention to my ideas is top priority,” he said.
Koul recently convinced a friend to participate in the bee.
“I really tried to make the point that it’s not just learning,” he said. “These are things that you can apply in life and its essential to the survival of our republic. It’s our responsibility.”
“Aarit is the kind of student every school hopes to have,” Jackson High School Principal Matt Ziders said. “As our freshman class president and a three-time state Civics Bee champion, he continues to show great leadership, curiosity, and humility. We’re so proud of the way he represents Jackson Local Schools and our community — not just through his accomplishments, but through his character.”
Meet Aarit Koul
Aarit is a member of student council and the Jackson Academy for Global Studies. He also competes on mock trial and Model UN teams.
In his spare time he enjoys creating art with micron pens and watercolors and reading, writing and playing chess.
In the summer he competes on the Paul and Carold David YMCA swim team where his favorite race is the back stroke.
His favorite thing to do is spending time with the little sister, Arnya, a fourth grader.
He is the son of Aakrati Dhar and Sahil Koul.
Looking to the future, Aarit hopes to attend law school. He isn’t sure what kind of law he will practice but it will likely be civil rights or constitutional law.
His dream job is becoming a supreme court judge, where he can have a greater impact.
“The judicial branch is really important,” he said. “Without them there is no justice, protection, or application of laws. It’s cubical to keep the other two branches in check.”
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Jackson High freshman hopes to soar at upcoming National Civics Bee championship
Reporting by Amy L. Knapp, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
