Meet Romi O.: Tackling Food Insecurity Through Civic Engagement 

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Competition Host(s): Beaverton Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Business & Industry

Essay Topic: Addressing Food Insecurity and Waste 

Romi O. is passionate about finding solutions to challenges that affect communities every day. For her National Civics Bee® essay, she focused on addressing food insecurity and food waste, exploring ways to ensure more people have access to nutritious food while reducing unnecessary waste. 

When she’s not thinking about ways to make a difference, Romi enjoys hitting the slopes and spending time skiing. She also has a unique talent that always gets people talking: she can lick her nose. 

A fan of math, Romi’s favorite historical figure is Katherine Johnson, whose groundbreaking work helped advance space exploration. She also looks up to Malala Yousafzai, whose advocacy for education and equality continues to inspire people around the world. 

Looking ahead, Romi hopes to become a journalist, using storytelling and communication to inform others and make an impact on issues that matter. 

When she’s not studying, skiing, or working on civic projects, Romi enjoys a warm bowl of her favorite food, miso soup. 

The National Civics Bee celebrates students like Romi who are using their curiosity, creativity, and leadership to address important community issues. We are proud to recognize her as an Oregon State Finalist.