The West Virginia Chamber Foundation is participating with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the first annual statewide civics competition in West Virginia. The 2023-24 National Civics Bee encourages middle school students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics.
The winner of the National Civics Bee West Virginia State Finals will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural national championship in Fall 2024. The West Virginia Chamber Foundation is honored to participate and eager to see what the students of West Virginia have to contribute to this wonderful competition.
This contest is open to any 6th – 8th grade West Virginia student. Essays are due no later than January 8th.
A panel of judges will then choose 20 participants to compete at the state level. The State Finals will be held May 3rd during the WV Chamber Foundation’s State Career Development Conference. The student who places first at the State CDC will compete nationally in Washington, DC.
2024 winners
- 1st Place: Summer Hodge – East Bank Middle School – $1000 prize and moving to the National competition in Washington DC for an all expense paid trip and chance to win $50,000!
- 2nd Place: Lleyton Brumfield – Kermit Middle School – $500 prize
- 3rd Place: Karlee Gillman – Kermit Middle School – $250 prize