The seventh grade Tamaqua Area Middle School student who placed first in the recent Schuylkill County Civics Bee is readying for the state competition — and already has his sights set on the national level.

“It feels very good and exciting that I will be able to advance to the next level of the competition and have the opportunity to compete for a state title, and hopefully get the chance to compete for a national one,” Aaron Kerlin said.

He outpaced 17 other middle school competitors in the county level of the National Civics Bee. It was hosted by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and held recently at Penn State Schuylkill.

Kerlin said that to enter the civics bee, students had to write an essay about a problem or opportunity, and then explain how to use civic principles to solve or achieve it.

“Mine was about how I would install sensory play equipment at West Penn to make its playground more inclusive,” said Kerlin, who attended West Penn Elementary School.

He pitched his project to a panel of judges, and they asked about plans and how he would achieve them.

“The idea came about because of my own observations at West Penn and having a brother who has autism, and knowing he can thrive with the right resources,” Kerlin said.

As the winner, he received a cash prize and a trophy. He and the second and third place winners will compete at the state level in June at University Park.

He noted that he’ll have the same topic.

“However, if I make it to the top five, I will get to deliver a 3 minute pitch about my topic as well as Q&A (question and answer),” Kerlin said.

State finalists will advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. in the fall.

He is the son of Michael and Jacqueline Kerlin.