Calling all middle school students! Share your ideas and show off your citizenship skills in the National Civics Bee.

 

About the Bee

The Howard County Civics Bee is one of many pilot National Civics Bee competitions promoted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. At least 1,000 local middle school students will participate in a first-round essay competition. Judges will select 20 to go to the final round: a live quiz event testing civics knowledge. Winners will be recognized in their communities and receive prizes. View the event flyer here.

 

How to Enter

If you are a middle school student with an idea about using civics to solve a problem in your community, review the rules, guidelines, and submit your entry on this page.

Complete the submission form, including contact information for your parent or guardian, and submit your 500-word essay for consideration.

 

Deadline: Submit your essay by February 24, 2023 at 11:59PM EST

 

Why Civics?

We believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. The National Civics Bee is a way to promote greater civics knowledge and civic participation across the country, and to energize our community with a celebration of civic pride.

 

Prizes

Each finalist will receive a certificate. In addition:

• The First Place Winner will receive a $500 cash prize.
• The Second Place Winner will receive a $250 cash prize.
• The Third Place Winner will receive a $125 cash prize.

 

Get Involved

The Chamber is currently seeking partners to support the Civics Bee by judging and/or sponsoring the event. Roughly a three-hour commitment, essay judges will score students’ 500-word essays against a rubric, ultimately deciding which students will advance as Local Finalists. Interested in becoming an event sponsor? You can also view available sponsorship opportunities here.

 

Please email Leonardo McClarty (Chamber President & CEO) or Tayler Tarlton (Director of Programs & Events) with any questions.

 

Thank you to our partners and sponsors: