LIVE EVENT INFO

Essays must be submitted by Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
Enter The Competition

Finalists will be announced on February 14, 2025.
Top-scoring essay finalists will be invited to compete at local and state bees happening March through August.
The top winner from each state receives a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship.

ABOUT THE BEE
The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host a first-of-its-kind civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee® national championship in Fall 2025.

WHY CIVICS?
The Chamber is participating in the National Civics Bee® because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge in Georgia and celebrating our civic pride.

ESSAY TOPIC
Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem? Write a 500-word essay that includes the following:

  • What is the problem, and how do different members in your community or neighborhood view it?
  • What civic principles or systems could help to address the problem?
  • What is your idea or recommendation for solving the problem?
  • What primary sources, such as the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution, provide supporting evidence or examples for your idea or recommendation?
  • How might members of your community or neighborhood bring your idea or recommendation to life?

JUDGING CRITERIA
Your essay will be evaluated based on how well you:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of civics.
  • Acknowledge and address opposing points of view.
  • Acknowledge and address at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue.
  • Use primary sources, like newspapers, data, historical documents, images, or other documents that relate to your idea.
  • Clearly describe an idea innovative or new to you.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CONTEST RULES
The National Civics Bee® Official Contest Rules govern the competition to ensure fairness and integrity. Please note the following eligibility requirements:

  • Any student registered in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in a public, private, or home school is eligible to participate
  • Students may only apply to one competition, and it must be in their state of residence
  • All entries must be in English
  • If a student participated in a previous National Civics Bee®, they must submit a new, unique entry
  • Any student related to (or living with) Chamber staff, leadership, Board of Directors, or any student who is related to any partners/co-Sponsors of the National Civics Bee® is not eligible (to prevent any perception of bias, preferentialism, or discrimination)

In addition, please note the following requirements related to documentation and data storage:

  • Parents/Guardians of the selected Finalists must submit an eligibility validation and consent form for their child to participate in Local and State Events
  • Tax Payer ID is not required to participate in the Bee, but it is required to receive the cash prizes (and any other prizes where the parent/guardian might be responsible to pay taxes)
  • If a parent asks for their child’s data to be removed or deleted, they must contact civics@uschamber.com and the Local Competition Partner must inform USCCF
 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Are you interested in showcasing your company’s commitment to developing active and engaged citizens? Contact Christan Spires for more information.

LOCAL PRIZES

 

1st Place: $500 cash prize

 

2nd Place: $250 cash prize

 

3rd Place: $125 cash prize

 

STATE PRIZES

 

1st Place: $1,000 cash prize

 

2nd Place: $500 cash prize

 

3rd Place: $250 cash prize

 

NATIONAL PRIZES

 

1st Place: trophy & $10,000 cash prize

 

2nd Place: trophy & $7,500 cash prize

 

3rd Place:trophy & $5,000 cash prize

 

CONTACT US
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact  Christan Spires, Director of Communications & Events.