BRI Hosts MyImpact Challenge Civics Fair
<p>More than 80 students at Johnstown High School in Johnstown, Pa., <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/students-showcase-community-boosting-ideas-114800713.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWNzLnRlYW1zLmNkbi5vZmZpY2UubmV0Lw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACEt6UFgm4-SfVvd7amyMwTwuSUDpdso3WRfMzKRs3ctESAuQVigdP9i_oaQwx4zaiB8emTGbeMmZ0fscVjBOzefhhyxwQPVRYz6gVWj0-mF37U3yY_gNKQqv9B131i0svhC6wFbcY5FatCbku-072Zd36OgStj2ddVChVCc5k9h">showcased their civic engagement skills</a> last week at the Bill of Rights Institute’s <a href="https://wjactv.com/news/local/civics-fair-held-for-local-students-identifies-community-problems">MyImpact Challenge civics fair</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/my-impact-challenge/">MyImpact Challenge</a> is BRI’s civic engagement contest for high school students to showcase how they engage in service, volunteerism, or entrepreneurship in their local community. A total of 49 projects were displayed at the civics fair, covering topics such as blight, public safety, education, mental health, community cleanup, and local opportunities for young people.</p>
<p>Awards in five categories were handed out at the fair, and each first-place winner received $150. The awards were based on what virtues and principles each project showcased and how those benefited the local community.</p>
<p><strong>The Community Builder Award</strong></p>
<p>Virtues: Responsibility, Respect</p>
<p>Principles: Consent of the Governed, Republican Government</p>
<p>Projects that strengthen the community and improve life for others through civic participation</p>
<p>1st Place: Brooklynne Vogel and Sydney Burkardt</p>
<p>Topic: Community Gardens</p>
<p>Description: Building gardens to fix blight and provide food access</p>
<p><strong>The Justice and Equality Award</strong></p>
<p>Virtues: Justice, Integrity</p>
<p>Principles: Equality, Rule of Law</p>
<p>Projects that promote fairness, equal opportunity, or access for everyone</p>
<p>1st Place: Taylor Grayson, A’Vaeya Jordan-Kirkland, and Saniyah Eisenhuth</p>
<p>Topic: Hygiene Bags</p>
<p>Description: Helping people obtain hygiene products</p>
<p><strong>The Compassion in Action Award</strong></p>
<p>Virtues: Compassion, Responsibility, Respect</p>
<p>Principles: Natural Rights, Liberty</p>
<p>Projects that protect vulnerable people or animals and defend dignity</p>
<p>1st Place: Jedrik Lewczenko</p>
<p>Topic: Notes for Us</p>
<p>Description: Mental health letters</p>
<p>Jesarah Malcolm-Daniels, a student who finished in third place in this category, said “it’s important to have events like this, so young people can be more involved in our school and our community. We are the ones who will be taking care of our town and leading the change. This event helps young people learn about what’s actually happening here, and it also shows older people that our generation can take action.”</p>
<p><strong>The Civic Problem-Solver Award</strong></p>
<p>Virtues: Prudence, Responsibility</p>
<p>Principles: Limited Government, Rule of Law</p>
<p>Projects that identify a local problem and propose a realistic solution</p>
<p>1st Place: Connor Coulibaly</p>
<p>Topic: Cleaning Stonycreek</p>
<p>Description: Cleaning up the river to boost the local ecosystem and recreation</p>
<p>Noel Perreault, a student who finished in third place in this category, said “my project was about something I see all the time, but I never really thought about how it could actually change. I know I’m only in 8th grade, but I feel like I can be part of making a difference.”</p>
<p><strong>The Future of Johnstown Award</strong></p>
<p>Virtues: Courage, Vision</p>
<p>Principles: Liberty, Republicanism</p>
<p>Projects that imagine bold ideas that could shape the city’s future</p>
<p>1st Place: Colton Janciga, Israel Ramos, and Altair Smith</p>
<p>Topic: Johnstown Garden Project</p>
<p>Description: Fixing and improving community gardens</p>
<p>Christian Warbley, a civics teacher at Johnstown High School and finalist for BRI’s 2025 National Civics Teacher of the Year award, helped organize the civics fair and said “the judges told me that they were blown away by the thoughtfulness of the projects and how knowledgeable [students] were about the issues and potential solutions. And, even better, the members of the city council said, ‘We can actually do so many of these projects!’”</p>
<p>BRI has hosted four MyImpact Challenge civics fairs in 2026 with plans to host at least 10 more this year, including fairs in Florida, Texas, Utah, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Washington, and New York. Visit the <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/my-impact-challenge/">MyImpact Challenge National contest page</a> on our website for more information about this year’s essay contest and educators can check out our <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/myimpact-challenge-civic-fair-microgrants/">MyImpact Challenge Grant page</a> to get details on how to host a local fair at their school!</p>
