Greater Vancouver Chamber Opens Registration for the 2025 National Civics Bee
GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER OPENS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL CIVICS BEE
An annual competition designed to inspire the next generation of civic leaders.
Vancouver, WA - The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) is excited to announce that it is accepting essay submissions for the 2025 National Civics Bee. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this educational initiative invites middle school students in southwest Washington to explore American democracy, enhance their civics knowledge, and compete for the chance to win recognition and cash prizes.
Local 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are encouraged to participate in the first round of the competition: a 500-word essay. The prompt challenges students to identify an opportunity or problem in their community and propose potential solutions, stimulating thoughtful dialogue and encouraging young people to take an active role in their communities. Submissions will be accepted through February 4, 2025.
Following an essay review by a panel of distinguished judges from local business and community leaders, the top 20 students will move on to the final round: a live quiz event designed to test their knowledge of civics. Thanks to our Civics Bee Technology Sponsor, Restoration 1 of Vancouver, each finalist will be gifted their very own tablet for use in the live quiz and to support their ongoing educational journey.
“The National Civics Bee offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with issues that directly affect their communities while strengthening their understanding of the democratic process,” said Janet Kenefsky, Vice President of Membership and Operations for the Greater Vancouver Chamber. “We are thrilled to provide a platform where young voices can be heard and celebrated, and we encourage all middle school students in southwest Washington to participate.”
The live quiz event will take in April 2025. The top three winners from the local competition will advance to the state competition, where they will have the chance to compete for further honors.
In addition to the invaluable recognition, the winners will be awarded cash prizes: $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $125 for third place.
For more information on the essay topic, submission guidelines, and competition rules, as well as access to the teacher and parent guides, please visit: VancouverUSA.com/NationalCivicsBee.
Business leaders interested in sponsoring this program can contact the Greater Vancouver Chamber at yourchamber@vancouverusa.com.
About the National Civics Bee
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. In the first round of the contest, local middle school students participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in our local competition: a live quiz event testing civics knowledge. The top three students from each local competition will advance to the state competition. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this competition was launched to tackle the lack of knowledge about history and civics among middle school students, exposed by new federal data on the Nation's Report Card. In 2022, the average civics score at eighth grade decreased by 2 points compared to 2018.
About the Greater Vancouver Chamber
SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 130 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.
Media Assets:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XdY9zjy3IEqxmNaaUuCUg2cNJEMa3c_f?usp=sharing
Official Program Link:
National Civics Bee
Essay Submission Website:
https://my.reviewr.com/NationalCivicsBee/site/NationalCivicsBee2025?utm_campaign=partners&utm_source=chambers&utm_medium=local
Washington State Civics Bee Competition:
https://youtu.be/38svQ8vZFIs?si=N-kQMN8koHgXfxm8
Nation’s Report Card:
NAEP Report Card: 2022 NAEP Civics Assessment
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