Students competed for the local title, cash prizes, and an invitation to the State National Civics Bee® competition this summer.
CENTRE COUNTY, PA – April 23, 2025 – Eleven Centre County middle school students demonstrated their knowledge of civics during the local competition of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, hosted on April 15 by the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College.
Earlier this year, students from across Centre County entered the competition by submitting original essays on a community issue and their proposed solutions. A panel of judges, selected by the CBICC, reviewed the submissions and selected finalists to attend the live event.
The competition began with two rounds of multiple-choice civics questions, testing students on topics related to U.S. government, history, and principles of civics. The top five scorers advanced to a third and final round, where they presented summaries of their essay topics and answered follow-up questions from the panel of judges.
Student essays proposed solutions to timely and relevant issues, including access to healthcare, poverty in our communities, affordable housing in State College, light pollution, and addiction treatment and prevention.
“We are proud to support civics education and encourage students to explore how they can make a difference in their communities,” said Greg Scott, President and CEO of the CBICC. “This year’s National Civics Bee® participants impressed us with their thoughtfulness, passion, and strong understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen.”
Judges for the event included Pennsylvania Representative Paul Takac, Ferguson Township Manager Centrice Martin, State College Borough Manager Tom Fountaine, College Township Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Keri Miller, and Penn State College of Education Dean Dr. Kimberly Lawless.
After deliberation, the judges awarded prizes to the top three finalists:
- Cooper P. – 1st Place ($500)
- Liam F. – 2nd Place ($250)
- Elliott M. – 3rd Place ($125)
All three winners will receive an invitation to advance to the Pennsylvania State National Civics Bee® Competition, taking place on June 13 in State College. There, students will compete for a chance to participate in the national championship in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2025, with prizes 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.”
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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.
