We are excited to announce this year's winner and runner-up for the 2017 iCivics Holiday Card Contest.  We were extremely impressed with the thoughtfulness and the passion for civics each student displayed in their writing. Many thanks to all of the students and teachers who participated. Special congratulations to:

1st Place: Ann Chouinard, (7th grade), Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ

Runner-up: Julie Lewelling, (8th grade), Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ

Excerpts of their essays will be included in our annual holiday card. Each of their classrooms will get a pizza party. 

Below are excerpts from these winners' essays and the rest of the finalists (alphabetical order, last name):

“iCivics engages students of all ages to become better citizens and to inform us about our government and political systems. It has engaged my mind about participating in society as an active citizen. The US works as a democracy in which every citizen has rights, responsibilities, and roles. We can’t just accept the freedoms our country grants us without giving back and contributing to society as well.” - Maya Bauer, Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ  

“iCivics educates us kids to help learn about our country. But, it’s so much fun, I don’t usually think about it that way when I’m playing it!! This knowledge is very important to our future as adults. We live in America; we are very lucky to be here. The least we could do is learn and following our given laws.” -Lily Blalock,  Pottsville Middle School, Pottsville, AR  

“While I still have a lot to learn about politics, I know that no matter what side you’re on, everybody needs to work together. iCivics offers a fun and stimulating way to understand how things really work in the world. It isn’t just entertaining, it also makes us think about what we are learning and how important stuff fits into the world around us.” -Abigail Carlson,  Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ

“iCivics games have the ability to not only prepare students for the world, but also help them thrive in it. The games build up skills such as decision-making and problem-solving, and, most importantly, it allows students to understand the different aspects of a democratic government.” - Carolyn Chen, Dutch Fork Middle School, Irmo, SC  
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“When I play iCivics, I don’t realize that it’s a learning game. In the future, I’ll take with me the knowledge of how to vote, education on laws and amendments, and how to make an impact on my community. A lot of kids play iCivics games. I think that iCivics isn’t just going to affect me, but it will affect my whole generation. People will be more educated about government…and I think that will change our whole generation.” - Ann Chouinard, Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ

“When I become an active and engaged adult citizen, I will take with me important information that I learn from iCivics. I have learned that it is my responsibility to be an informed voter, that running for office is expensive, hard work, how Congress passes bills, and I have learned more about different branches and roles of the United States government. iCivics games provide students with a lifetime of learning.” - Madison Kozlowski, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, Midlothian, VA

“With iCivics, you get the opportunity to take charge and solve the nation’s problems, and you begin to really see how much of an impact you can make to the community, state, even country. As I become a young citizen of our great nation, I can use the values of teamwork, problem-solving and volunteering that iCivics has taught me to help make this country better one step at a time.” - Julie Lewelling, Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ

“America’s continued excellence lies in its future. iCivics demonstrates the ability of every person in this country to be a catalyst for positive change. It utilizes fun, engaging games as a tool to stimulate enthusiasm for public service among young American and promote civic involvement.” - Ryan Ridolfo, St. Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA  

“Thanks to iCivics, I feel as if I understand the country I live in as much as possible and what problems its people may have. I also feel the drive to participate in this country’s activities and learn more about it. Your games have a way of teaching kids how the U.S. works, and how different people with different jobs help make the country work and strive to make it fulfill its enormous potential.” - Dean Watkins, Coronado, K-8, Tucson, AZ