Middle school students are invited to compete in 1st local National Civics Bee

Editor’s note: Due to widespread winter storm impact, the application period has been extended to Feb. 17. We’ve updated the original article below.

Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 throughout the Lebanon Valley are invited to apply for the 2026 National Civics Bee, a nonpartisan competition created and organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The competition is open to middle-school students from public, private, charter, and home schools in the area.

To enter, students must submit a four-paragraph essay proposing ideas to improve their communities, according to a press release from the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce. The top-scoring essay finalists will be invited to a live quiz competition in their state.

“This is the first year for Lebanon County to host our own Civics Bee. We are looking forward to a fantastic event, but we need local students to submit applications and time is running out,” Karen Groh, president & CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber, said in the release. “We know we have the talent in Lebanon County and want to provide this exciting opportunity for students to shine.”

The U.S. Chamber will review essay entries and narrow them down to 20 finalists. Finalists will compete in the live Lebanon County Civics Bee on April 7, beginning at 6 p.m. (Editor’s note: LebTown will be media sponsor of the event.)

The online application portal is open through Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Students without access to the internet or a computer may submit their applications by mail.

Finalists who advance to live quiz competitions at the regional, state, and national levels have a chance to win prizes and represent their communities while also strengthening their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and forming friendships with other young leaders along the way.

The first-place winner of the Pennsylvania State Finals will earn a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Championship next fall. Finalists who advance to the National Championship will compete for cash prizes, national recognition, and a $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan. Through the Fisher Global Foundation, the first-place winner in each state may also secure a $5,000 donation for their school.

Educator and student resources are available online to help students craft and submit their essays.

In their essays, participating students are asked to identify “a specific opportunity, problem, or challenge in your community,” according to an essay prompt provided by the U.S. Chamber. “What is something in your school, neighborhood, or town that could be improved? This could be anything, from making your school more welcoming, improving local parks, supporting small businesses, or helping neighbors in need.”

Students should then describe the steps they would take to make the change, find the means to engage community support for the change, and connect the idea “to the values that shaped our country.”

The contest rules also stress that the essay must be written by the student alone, not as a group project among friends or family members.

“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation, said in the release.

More information about entering the National Civics Bee is available at nationalcivicsbee.org.