HOXIE EDUCATOR NAMED CIVIC STAR CHALLENGE WINNER - A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE FROM THE BILL OF RIGHTS INSTITUTE AND ICIVICS
Leah Heskett is one of 63 educators nationwide receiving honors this month for integrating themes from the Declaration of Independence into their teaching in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Hoixe, KS 03/26/2026 The Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics have named Leah Heskett, junior high social studies teacher of Hoxie Jr/Sr. High School, Hoxie, KS a winner of the Civic Star Challenge, a nationwide initiative to inspire millions of acts of civic learning in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Civic Star Challenge makes the teaching of the Declaration of Independence digestible and relatable to today’s youth by providing educators with a repository of adaptable lesson plans and activities that teach the key themes of the founding document. The resources are available at civicstarchallenge.org. Once educators have taught at least one of 11 themes, they can submit a log of their activities for a chance to win cash prizes totaling more than $200,000.
The Challenge includes four rounds of random drawings, each awarding $300 to selected teachers, and an essay contest that has a $10,000 grand prize for the winning teacher’s school district.
Heskett introduced key themes from the Declaration of Independence into 8th Grade US History and Civics Exploratory Classes. Students have created America 250 videos over What America Means to Me, had lessons over the founding fathers and the importance of the Declaration of Independence as a founding document.
“Learning about the Declaration of Independence in school is important because it teaches students the foundational principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, illustrating how America was built by ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things”, said Leah Heskett.
Heskett is one of 63 winners from 28 states as part of the second round of drawings, joining 63 winners from 25 states from the first round of drawings.
“The Civic Star Challenge honors the educators who keep America’s founding principles alive in their classrooms,” said David Bobb, President and CEO of the Bill of Rights Institute. “Their work reminds us that civic knowledge and virtue are essential to sustaining liberty for the next generation and to helping students see their role in preserving a free society.”
“The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is an incredible moment to engage in the teaching of our founding documents and in civic education in general – and this has never been more critical,” iCivics CEO Louise Dubé said. “We’re proud to be able to reward teachers for their efforts to connect the themes and ideals from the Declaration to the present.