- Six high school teams, hundreds of civic questions answered, and now we're down to the final two teams competing at Spokane's first ever televised Civics Quiz Bowl.

Today, North Central and Lewis & Clark will face the hardest questions yet in their bid to be awarded the Civics Bowl Championship title.

(marching band upbeat music) - [Narrator] Civics Bowl is made possible by Eastern Washington University, the Avista Foundation, the League of Women Voters of the Spokane Area and of Washington, and by viewers like you.

(marching band upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to the final episode in our inaugural season of Civics Bowl.

I'm your host, president and general manager of KSPS, Gary Stokes.

Here at KSPS, one of our top priorities is promoting civics education.

Not only in our schools, but for our entire community.

We hope you've enjoyed brushing up on your government and politics knowledge while rooting for these impressive students.

Let's take a look at the bracket.

As we mentioned, we started with six teams from Spokane public schools.

Today, it's down to the final two.

This is it.

North Central versus Lewis & Clark for the championship trophy.

Congratulations, teams, on making it to the championship.

Let's meet the players from North Central.

- Hi, I'm Bryce Anderson.

- Hi, I'm Jonah Aden.

- I'm Sydney Bergman.

- And I'm Jacob Gannon.

- [Gary] And now the team from Lewis & Clark.

- Hi, I'm Vinh Pham.

- I'm Sasha Charman.

- Hi, I'm Arun Warren.

- Hi, I'm Molly Wiser.

- Let's get the game play started with the toss up round.

All players are eligible to buzz in and answer the toss up question.

After correctly answering a toss up question, the winning team will receive a related bonus question.

Teams, you're encouraged to collaborate only on the bonus questions.

All correct answers in this round are worth 10 points.

For all questions, you must wait until I've finished reading the question to buzz in.

Ready, players?

Let's begin.

Which of the 13 original colonies was the last to sign the US constitution?

(tone sounds) - Sydney.

- Connecticut.

- [Gary] Incorrect.

(tone sounds) Arun.

- Vermont.

- [Gary] Incorrect.

Rhode Island, Rhode Island.

Next toss up question.

Article five of the constitution grants Congress power to propose an amendment to the constitution if two thirds of both houses deem it necessary.

In what other process may a constitutional amendment be proposed?

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- A constitutional convention.

- [Gary] That is correct.

And here's your bonus.

What must happen for a proposed amendment to the constitution to be ratified?

- Three quarters of all states must ratify it.

- [Gary] Correct.

Here's your toss up.

Constitutional rights can be classified into two types of rights that define what the government can or cannot do.

What are these types called?

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- Positive and negative rights.

- [Gary] That is correct.

And here's your bonus.

Negative rights expressly limit the power of government as laid out in the constitution.

What do positive rights require?

(bell sounds) Need an answer.

- They add to the rights that are listed explicitly in the constitution.

- [Gary] The government must do something.

Do something.

Here's toss up, both teams.

According to article three, section three of the US Constitution, which governmental body has the power to declare punishment for treason against the United States?

(tone sounds) Jonah.

- The judicial branch?

- Incorrect.

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- Congress?

- Correct.

And you receive the bonus.

Article three section three also narrowly defines treason.

Name two of three treasonous acts.

- Espionage and insurrection.

- Judges, I'm gonna say no on that.

and they agree.

All right, here's your next toss up.

It's a guest video.

Here's your first video question.

Please refer to the monitor.

- Hi, I'm Jess Walter, bestselling author of the novel "Beautiful Ruins," and a Spokane native.

Here is your question.

Congress has the lesser known power to hire these people to attack foreign enemies.

(tone sounds) - Sydney.

- Mercenaries?

- [Gary] Incorrect.

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- Foreign nations?

- Also incorrect.

Pirates.

(light laughter) I know, right?

Here's your next toss up.

Elections are held at all levels of government, but presidential elections differ from state and local elections.

Who has the opportunity to cast a ballot in presidential elections?

(tone sounds) Jacob.

- All citizens of the United States?

- [Woman] Need more information.

- [Gary] Can you expand on that?

Bit more information?

- No.

- Okay.

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- All citizens of the United States over the age of 18, with some exceptions for felons.

- [Gary] All registered voters in the country.

All registered voters.

Okay.

We have another guest presenter, and here he is.

- Hi, I'm Dr. Kevin Pirch, a political science professor at Eastern Washington University.

Here's your question.

In practical terms, how did the 12th amendment to the US Constitution change the method for the election of the vice president?

(tone sounds) - Jacob.

- The vice president would now run in a ticket with the president.

- That is correct.

And here is your bonus.

Back to the professor.

- Before the passage of the 12th amendment, how was the vice president chosen?

Here's a hint: The method likely made for some awkward situations.

- The runner up in the presidential race was the vice president.

- That is also correct.

Here's your toss up.

In 1913, how did the 17th amendment change the selection of US senators?

(tone sounds) Vinh.

- They're now directly elected.

- That is correct.

Here's your bonus.

Prior to this, how were senators selected?

- They were elected by the state legislature.

- Correct.

Toss up, both teams.

How is it that tribes are allowed to operate casinos on tribal land?

(tone sounds) Arun.

- They form their own separate legal entities, and are not bound by state law.

- That is correct.

Here's your bonus.

Provide one reason why casinos are important to many tribes.

- They are a source of economic revenue.

- That is correct.

Toss up, both teams.

County governments in Washington without a charter typically have three elected commissioners as prescribed in the Washington constitution.

What is one of the responsibilities of the county commissioners?

(tone sounds) Arun.

- To direct the executive branch of the county, and to pass laws.

- That is correct.

And here's your bonus.

A change in state law passed in 2018 requires changes in the election of county commissioners in Spokane County.

Name one of these changes.

- They're permitted to elect the health board.

- Five county commissioners will now be elected.

Okay, here's the next toss up question.

In 1948, the Washington State Constitution was amended to allow counties and cities more control over the structure of their government.

Local voters can write and adopt a mini constitution for their county or city.

What is this mini constitution called?

(tone sounds) Sasha.

- A charter?

- [Gary] More information, please.

Excuse me?

- A city charter.

Town charter.

- That'll work.

Home rule charter.

Okay, here's your bonus.

Under a home rule charter, what can a county change about its structure?

- It changes the number of county commissioners.

- That is correct.

Here's your next toss up, both teams.

In the 1880s, government jobs were filled by patronage.

What was this system called?

(tone sounds) Jacob.

- The spoil system.

- Correct.

Here's your bonus.

After the 1881 assassination of President Garfield by someone angry about not getting a government job, what act was signed into law, stopping patronage at the federal level?

(bell sounds) - The spoils act.

- The Pendleton Act.

Pendleton act.

Okay, here's your last question in this round.

For purposes of representation, the practice of counting every five slaves as three people was known as what?

(tone sounds) Molly.

- The Three Fifths Compromise.

- That is correct, and here is your bonus.

Which two amendments to the constitution revised the Three Fifths Compromise by abolishing slavery and requiring that representatives be based on the whole number of people in each state?

- The 13th and the 14th amendments.

- That is correct.

And we are done with this round.

Well done, teams, well done.

All right, so.

As always, we'd like to take a moment to get to know our players a little bit better.

So we'll start with North Central.

Since it's our last time chatting, we'd like to know about your plans after graduation.

Bryce.

- I plan on going to the University of Washington and eventually becoming an educator.

- [Gary] Jonah.

- I'm headed to Columbia University to study computer science and political science.

- Sydney.

- I plan to study anthropology at Western Washington University.

- Jacob.

- And like Bryce, I also plan on attending the University of Washington to study biological research.

- [Gary] Excellent.

Vinh?

- I intend to go into the University of Washington for bioengineering.

- Sasha.

- I plan on debating for Western Washington University, where I will study psychology.

- Arun?

- I'd like to go to either UW or Georgetown, where I will study international relations or data science.

- [Gary] And Molly.

- I plan on attending a four year college or university.

- Thank you.

Teams, thank you, it's been a pleasure getting to know all of you over these past six weeks.

Folks at home, stay with us.

The all important head-to-head round is up next.

(bright music) - [Narrator] Here's the answer to last week's question.

Who was the first woman to lie in honor at the US capital?

The correct answer is D, Rosa Parks.

After the civil rights leader died at age 92 in 2005, she received a final tribute when her body was brought to the rotunda of the US capital.

More than 30,000 people paid their respects.

To lie in honor is reserved for private citizens.

Following her death in 2020, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in state, which is reserved for government officials and military officers.

- As you can see, we're in position at the head-to-head set.

Let's get a quick check on the scoring before we begin.

Our judges have made a correction, allowing 10 points to North Central for a question that had been ruled as incorrect, but on review, the answer was correct.

And so the score is now North Central 40, Lewis & Clark 130.

In this round, each team member will go up against a member of the opposing team.

Questions are worth 10 points.

And again, you must wait for me to finish reading the question to buzz in.

Everybody ready?

Let's begin.

You are a woman living in Washington state in 1912.

Can you vote?

(tone sounds) - No.

- Yes, you can.

Next, elected members of the legislative branch are protected from criminal or civil liability while performing official duties, with exceptions.

Name the three exceptions.

(tone sounds) - Treason, breaking your oath of office, and felony.

- Judges?

Treason, felony, breach of the peace.

In 1971, the 26th amendment to the US Constitution granted the right to vote in federal and state elections to which citizens?

(tone sounds) - Native Americans.

- Incorrect.

Citizens 18 years of age or older.

The 27th amendment to the constitution, ratified 200 years after it was proposed, specified what?

(tone sounds) - It basically made it so Congress couldn't increase their salary for the same term that they're in office.

- That is correct.

Political socialization is how a person's positions on different issues are developed.

Name two agents that shape one's political socialization.

(tone sounds) - Family and religion.

- That is correct.

Electioneering occurs when interest groups do what through political action groups?

(tone sounds) - Campaigning and platforming.

- Yes, that is correct.

The lengthy and often confusing system for bill passage in the United States can be frustrating.

However, Congress and the government as a whole were designed to make it difficult.

Why?

(tone sounds) - To ensure compromise.

- Incorrect.

To prevent authoritarian laws.

What distinction does Charles Z. Smith hold in Washington state's judicial system?

(tone sounds) - Judge.

- Be more.

- Chief justice?

- No, first African American state Supreme Court Justice.

And that is our round.

Thank you, everyone.

All right, teams, head back to home base, and we'll get ready for our next round, the category round.

(marching band upbeat music) Big news for future voters in Washington state.

We all know the legal age to vote is 18.

However, a new law passed in Washington state will, for the first time, allow 17 year olds to vote in the August primary, as long as they'll turn 18 before the November general election.

High school seniors, that means if you're 18 or will turn 18 before November 8th, it's time to register to vote.

Only registered voters receive a ballot.

Primaries are critical to selecting the two choices for each race in the general election.

However, too often, primaries draw few voters.

♪ Happy birthday to you.

♪ (marching band upbeat music) Okay teams, I know you're anxious to get back to the game, so let's take a quick score check.

North Central 70, Lewis & Clark 130.

And now it's time for the all important category round.

You have six categories from which to choose, each with five questions, which increase in point value from 10 to 30.

And here are your categories.

Congressional leadership, next in line, notes of protest, political philosophers, the states, and give me your tired.

The teams will alternate turns.

You can skip around to different categories.

However, you cannot jump ahead in point value.

Points are deducted for wrong answers in this round, but you can pass on a question with no penalty, or toss a question to the other team.

If you're tossed a question, you must answer, and will either win or lose the associated points.

This is where some strategy comes into play.

The team with low score, you get to pick first.

And that's North Central.

Pick a category for us.

- The states for 10 points.

- The states for 10.

Under the US federal system of government, name two powers that are reserved for the states.

- Education and the police force, or safety of citizens.

- [Gary] Correct.

- [Arun] Political philosophers for 10.

- [Gary] Political philosophers for 10 points.

Here again is Eastern Washington professor Kevin Pirch.

- [Kevin] Written by Aristotle, what is the name of the collection of essays that was one of the first to address the study of political science?

- Pass.

- Okay.

And we pass that, and now we move back over to North Central.

- Next in line for 10.

- [Gary] Next in line for 10.

Which president was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, in 1963?

- JFK.

- That is correct.

LC?

- [Arun] Congressional leadership for 10, please.

- [Gary] Congressional leadership for 10.

The speaker of the house is elected by the members of the majority party in the US house.

How often does this happen?

- [Arun] Every two years.

- [Gary] That is correct.

North Central.

- Give me you tired for 10 points.

- [Gary] Give me your tired for 10.

According to the US Constitution, all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside, defines what?

- Pass.

- Okay.

Citizenship was the answer.

Arun?

- Congress leadership for 15.

- [Gary] Congress leadership for 15.

In a similar fashion, the senate majority leader is elected by the members of the majority party in the senate.

However, senators serve longer terms than representatives.

How often are senate majority leaders chosen?

- [Arun] Every two years.

- [Gary] That is correct.

- Congressional leadership for 20.

- [Gary] Congressional leadership for 20. Who serves as the spokesperson for the minority parties in the house and senate?

- The minority leader?

- [Gary] That is correct.

Arun?

- [Arun] Congressional leadership for 25, please.

- [Gary] 25 it is.

Because the US house is so large, it has an additional layer of leadership.

Whose primary job is it to make sure party members vote along with the party?

- [Arun] The party whips.

- [Gary] That is correct.

- Congressional leadership, 30.

- [Gary] And we're wrapping up this category.

What is the primary way that leaders in both the house and senate exercise their power?

You need to answer.

- Toss, toss.

- [Gary] 'Kay, tossing it over.

- [Arun] By voting on bills and proposed policy decisions.

- Committee assignments, committee assignments.

- That's what we had as our answer too, so.

(Gary laughs) - LC.

- Next in line for 15, please.

- [Gary] Who became president following President Kennedy's assassination?

- [Arun] Lyndon B. Johnson.

- [Gary] That is correct.

NC.

- For 20.

- [Gary] Next in line for 20.

The succession plan to the president occurs upon the death or disability of the president.

Name the first four executive offices in the succession plan, in order.

(whispering) - Okay, vice president, and then the speaker of the house, and then the president pro tempore, and then the secretary of the state.

- [Gary] That is correct, well done.

- [Arun] Next in line 25.

- [Gary] Next in line for 25.

Name the people who now hold the first four offices in line of succession.

- [Arun] Okay, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Patrick Lei, and Antony Blinken.

- [Gary] Correct again.

Very nicely done, both teams.

- For 30.

- [Gary] And we're wrapping up this category.

Name the next four executive offices, not persons, in the succession plan, in order.

- Toss, please.

(Gary chuckles) - [Arun] What is it?

(whispering) - [Gary] Need an answer.

- [Arun] Secretary of defense, secretary of the treasury, secretary of commerce, secretary of- (bell sounds) - Treasury, defense, attorney general, secretary of the interior, in order.

And that wraps up that category round.

We're gonna take a little bit of a break, get a set on the scores, and then we will play the lightning round to decide who wins it all, coming up next.

Okay, we've put 90 seconds on the clock, and that means it's time for the lightning round.

Let's get one last scoring update.

North Central 130, Lewis & Clark 160.

This is a tight, tight match, and we'll find out how it turns out in one and a half minutes or so.

Teams, this is your chance to run up the score by answering as many questions as you can in a minute and a half.

Each correct answer is worth 20 points.

Points will be deducted for wrong answers.

Teams, are you ready?

Here we go.

Number one.

Seen here, which former Spokane mayor was recently tapped as the US Army Civilian Ambassador representing Eastern Washington?

(tone sounds) Arun.

- David Condon.

- Correct.

Pictured here, name the US representative for Eastern Washington.

(tone sounds) - Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

- [Gary] Wrong team.

- I'm sorry.

- No, that's okay.

It's okay, it's all right.

We'll keep going.

First amendment states Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

Is this an example of a negative right or a positive right?

(tone sounds) - Arun?

- A positive right?

- [Gary] Negative right.

Buying and selling property, entering into contracts, or joining labor unions are examples of what type of rights protected in the US constitution?

(tone sounds) Jacob.

- Assembly?

- Economic rights.

Which elected county official is the chief law enforcement officer in the county?

(tone sounds) Arun.

- The head of the Sheriff's department?

- Correct.

In 1973, a Washington state initiative resulted in the creation of a commission focused on helping the public know where politicians and lobbyists get their money and how they spend it.

What is this commission called?

(bell sounds) Public disclosure commission.

Pictured here, who is Washington state's current Lieutenant Governor?

(tone sounds) Arun?

- Denny Heck.

- Correct.

True or false, the US Senate currently approves Supreme Court nominees by a simple majority of 50 votes plus one.

(tone sounds) Jonah.

- True.

- That is correct.

Which cabinet department ensures public safety against both.

(buzzer sounds) And that's the end of the game.

Well done everyone.

(applause) (marching band upbeat music) After six weeks of battling back and forth, we now have a winner in the inaugural Civics Bowl.

And with a score of North Central 130 and Lewis & Clark 200, Lewis & Clark, you are Spokane's first ever Civics Bowl champions.

(applause) Arun, congratulations.

- Thank you.

- This is your trophy now.

Take good care of it, and take it back home to where it belongs.

Congratulations.

- Thank you.

- Gentlemen, ladies, congratulations for being part of our competition.

And more importantly, for being great representatives of your school and of your community.

Congratulations to each and every one of you.

From all of us here at KPS Public Television, and all of our partners, thank you so much for joining us for this fun and educational first season of Civics Bowl.

See you next year.

(applause) - [Narrator] Civics Bowl is made possible by Eastern Washington University, the Avista Foundation, the League of Women Voters of the Spokane area and of Washington, and by viewers like you.

If you are regional school interested in taking part in Civics Bowl next year, we wanna know!

Go to ksps.org/civicsbowl to fill out our online contact form.

(upbeat music)