Louisa County Public School middle school students will test their civics knowledge and compete for national title

Louisa, Virginia - The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.  The Louisa Chamber is the second community in the Commonwealth of Virginia to host the National Civics Bee®.  Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Louisa County will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.

“The National Civics Bee® is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to engage with and understand the foundations of our democracy,” states Tracy Clark, Executive Director for the Chamber and Louisa Forward Foundation. “By hosting this program, we’re encouraging the next generation to become informed, active citizens who will positively impact our community. Our goal is to promote civic education not just in Louisa County but throughout the surrounding areas, fostering a greater understanding of civic responsibility and community involvement.”

This prestigious program is open to middle school students in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools in Louisa County and from surrounding areas, encouraging broader participation and engagement. Students are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition and submit by November 1, 2024. After a distinguished panel of judges review the essays, the top 20 students will be selected to advance to the local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge. The Louisa Chamber in partnership with Louisa County Public Schools will host its local competition in February 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes worth at least $500 for the first-place student.

“We are so excited to partner with the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce to bring the National Civics Bee to Louisa County,” said Louisa County Public Schools superintendent Doug Straley. “Our mission here at Louisa County Public Schools is to challenge each student to reach their maximum potential, and this program will help make that happen. We appreciate the opportunity this will provide us to help our students become positive, informed, and motivated citizens.”

Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious prizes throughout the competition. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship. Winners from each of the local competitions across Virginia will be invited to take part in the state finals. The first-place winner of the state finals will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in the Fall of 2025.

“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,” said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Virginia visit: LouisaChamber.org/nationalcivicsbee or nationalcivicsbee.org].  

For additional information and opportunities to support this program, please contact Tracy Hale Clark, Executive Director 540.967.0944.

##

About the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce:
The Louisa County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting the local business community by advocating for policies that foster economic growth, providing resources and networking opportunities for its members, and promoting a vibrant and prosperous Louisa County.

About National Civics Bee®

The National Civics Bee®, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust®, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee® helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee® is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.