CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce has launched the 2025 National Civics Bee®, a program that encourages young Americans to immerse themselves in civics and provides a platform for them to contribute to their communities.
The competition inspires middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to become more engaged in the community, and to build trust in others and institutions.
Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are welcome to be part of the first-round civics essay competition. The top 20 students will advance to their local competition, which is an in-person, live, quiz-show-style event. The event includes two rounds of civics questions and a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge.
The event will be held in Champaign County in the spring of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive prizes, including $500 for first place. The first-place winner in each state travels to Washington, D.C., to compete for $50,000 during the national championship in Fall 2025.
According to Laura Weis, president & CEO of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, “Civics education equips our students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to participate actively in civic life, whether by voting, engaging in community issues, or even pursuing leadership roles in the future. Learning about civics early also fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages informed decision-making, essential for sustaining a healthy democracy.”
For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Champaign County visit: https://www.champaigncounty.org/advocacy/national-civics-bee/.