2026 Civics Bee
About The Bee
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition for middle school students designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Students who participate in the National Civics Bee gain knowledge about American democracy, practice engaging respectfully and constructively, and build trust in others and institutions. Students strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way.
The Mansfield Center is the official Montana Civics Bee representative on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. In 2027, we offer a nonpartisan Bee in partnership with the Chamber Foundation, the Montana 250th Commission, and local Chambers of Commerce across Montana. The Montana Civics Bee is designed to reinvigorate civic education and help prepare schools and communities to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This multi-round event supports students in learning about and demonstrating their understanding of U.S. government, history, and civic responsibility through multiple-choice questions and a civic engagement essay. Winners receive recognition, scholarships, and the opportunity to advance to the national competition.
Past Years
During the 2025-26 school year, middle schoolers from across Montana engaged in a civic engagement essay competition that prompted them to pitch a solution to a problem in their community. Top scoring students were then invited to compete in a Regional Civics Bee near them in the spring of 2026; a dynamic three-round live competition. In Rounds I and II, students tackled 20 civics-based multiple-choice questions, testing their understanding of our government, history, and democratic principles. In Round III, students delivered pitches based on original essays outlining their solutions to pressing community challenges and engaged in a Q&A with a panel of local judges. The top three scoring students from each competition in Miles City, Helena, and Kalispell were awarded cash prizes and invited to advance to the Montana State Bee.
On June 6, 2026, nine middle school students from across Montana gathered in Helena to compete in the Montana State Civics Bee. These young civic leaders showcased their knowledge, critical thinking, and passion for public service in an exciting three-round competition at the Montana Heritage Center.
After competing in two rigorous quiz rounds of civics and American history-based multiple-choice questions, each student delivered a compelling three-minute pitch based on their original essay and fielded questions from a distinguished judge panel. The panel included Chris Averill, Chair of the Montana 250th Commission, Jenifer Gursky, Founder of Skipping Rock Strategies, and Dr. Jennifer Glowienka, President of Carroll College. Daisy Doolittle, the 2025 Montana Statewide Civics Bee Champion, also served as an honorary judge. Former Governor Marc Racicot served as the keynote speaker, calling the students’ work “absolutely critical to the life of our union and to our freedom.”
Ryker, an 8th grader from Missoula, earned first place and a $1,000 prize with his pitch about improving the relationship between youth and law enforcement in his community. He will go on to represent Montana at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., in November 2026. Ryker’s school, Washington Middle School, will also receive a $5,000 donation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Audrey, from Helena, secured second place and a $500 prize, while Roshan, also from Butte, placed third and received $250.
