Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Announces National Civics Bee®

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is bringing the National Civics Bee® to Bay City. The competition invites middle school students in grades 6-8 from public, private, charter, and homeschool settings to participate in an essay contest focused on civics. After the first round of essay submissions, a panel of judges will review the essays, with the top 20 advancing to an in-person event featuring civics questions and a Q&A session. Local winners will receive at least $500 in prize money and qualify for the National Civics Bee® Michigan State Finals, with a chance to compete at the national level in Washington, D.C., in Fall 2025.

The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is also calling for volunteer Essay Judges for the event. Judges will be asked to evaluate submissions between February 6-12, 2025, with a flexible time commitment of approximately three hours. Judges are asked not to sign up if they have immediate family members participating in the competition. Volunteers are encouraged to help support the next generation of civically engaged students.