Centre County middle school students are invited to flex their civics knowledge and compete for national recognition
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee® and is calling on local middle school students to participate. Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition is a unique opportunity for students in grades 6-8 to demonstrate their knowledge of American democracy, propose solutions to community challenges, and compete for prizes at the local, state, and national levels.
Middle schoolers from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to submit a personal essay by Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Essays should propose ideas for addressing a specific community issue through actionable steps and collaboration. Submissions must respond to the following questions in 200-250 words each:
1. What can you do to contribute to the improvement of a specific problem, challenge, or opportunity in your community?
2. What individuals or organizations would you work with to accomplish your solution?
3. How does your solution include Founding Principles and Civic Virtues?
Essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges, and the top 20 students will advance to the local competition: an in-person event in State College where participants will test their civics knowledge through two rounds of written questions and a live Q&A session. The CBICC will host the local competition on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub. Finalists and winners will receive various prizes, with the first-place winner earning prizes worth at least $500.
“The Civics Bee empowers middle school students to explore issues that matter to their communities and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an engaged, responsible citizen,” said Greg Scott, President and CEO of the CBICC. “We’re proud to host the local competition yet again, and thrilled that this year’s state competition will also take place here in Centre County.”
The local winners will advance to the Pennsylvania State Civics Bee Finals, hosted in State College in Summer 2025, for a chance to win additional prizes and compete at the National Civics Bee® Championship in Washington, D.C., Fall 2025, where the top prize is worth at least $50,000.
“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee® provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.”
Students interested in competing should submit their essays by Tuesday, February 4 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time for consideration. Visit The Civics Trust’s Online Application Portal to register, review submission guidelines, access the Student Essay Guide, and submit an essay.
For more information, please visit https://cbicc.org/civics-bee/ or contact Benita Rannie, CBICC Event Coordinator, at benita@cbicc.org.
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About the CBICC
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is a dynamic membership organization that champions the interests of private and public organizations. As the region’s leading economic development entity, the CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation.
About National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee®, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust®, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee® helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee® is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.