Virginia State Finals of the National Civics Bee set to take place in Williamsburg on Jun. 7

WILLIAMSBURG – Middle school students from across Virginia will compete for a $1,000 grand prize at the National Civics Bee this Saturday, June 7, from 4-6 p.m. at the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Kurt Smith, who portrays Thomas Jefferson in Colonial Williamsburg, will emcee the event.

The National Civics Bee is a nonpartisan initiative aimed at strengthening middle schoolers’ understanding of the Founding Principles and Civic Virtues while empowering them to become engaged and informed citizens.

Students enter by submitting an essay to their local chamber of commerce on a civic issue they would like to solve.

Judges then select 20 submissions to advance to the regional National Civics Bee competition.

Students competing this weekend placed in their regional Bees in one of five participating Virginia counties: Augusta, Halifax, Loudoun, Louisa and Roanoke.

The National Civics Bee is part of a larger educational effort launched in 2022 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called The Civic Trust. 

The program was created in response to concerning findings about the state of civil knowledge in American youth – including a 2022 report showing that 78% of eighth graders score below proficiency in civics.

“We are sounding the alarm on the declining civic knowledge among our nation’s youth,” Carolyn Cawley, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said. “The National Civics Bee is designed to showcase the knowledge and skills all of us need to thrive in the 21st Century.”

From the first essay submission, the Bee offers middle schoolers a unique opportunity to use their voice and their ideas to drive change.

The competition’s impact also extends to the broader community, according to Alicia Sondberg, Associate Manager of Digital Marketing and Communications of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“The success of the National Civics Bee relies on strong partnerships between chambers of commerce, local governments, school systems, and other community leaders,” Sondberg said. “This collaboration creates a robust ecosystem of support for middle schoolers.”

Amy Ritchie, Colonial Williamsburg’s community affairs manager, described the living history museum’s pride in hosting this event.

“The National Civics Bee is incredibly inspiring,” Ritchie said. “Witnessing these middle school student participants discussing what democracy and the Constitution has meant historically and what it means to them today should give all of us hope for this nation’s future.”

Thousands of local communities across 39 states participated in the National Civics Bee this year, and the Chamber of Commerce aspires to reach all 50 states by 2026.

Winners this Saturday in Williamsburg will receive cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.

First place will also move on to the national competition in November in Washington D.C.

At the national level, the top winner will be awarded a 529 college savings plan in the amount of $100,000 in recognition of their dedication to civic knowledge and leadership.

Plans are also underway to expand the reach of the Bee throughout the Commonwealth.

“Next year, Colonial Williamsburg will be partnering with the Virginia Department of Education and VA250 to encourage the creation of local Civics Bees in each region of Virginia,” Ritchie said.

The Virginia State Finals of the National Civics Bee is June 7 from 4-6 p.m. at the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

The event is free and open to the public.