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Image courtesy of the National Civics Bee Flyer.

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce invites middle school students to share their ideas and display their civics skills by participating in the 2024 National Civics Bee competition. The original deadline for applicants to enter the competition was January 8, 2024. This has been extended to January 22.

The Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce features a countdown clock to this deadline on its website alongside a flyer with more information on the competition. The Chamber also offers its congratulations to last year’s local finalists, Joseph Drexler (who achieved second place statewide), Andee Quilico, and Maya Lyle.

The specific date for Buena Vista’s 2024 local competition has yet to be selected, but it will happen between February 20 and April 30 in Buena Vista.

The Colorado Chamber Foundation has partnered with the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation and six local chambers across the state to host the statewide civics competition. The National Civics Bee encourages students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade to participate by engaging in civics and contributing to their communities.

The competition is modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees. Students have the chance to win recognition and cash prizes by sharing their ideas to improve their community.

In the first round of the competition, students must submit essays. Judges will select twenty finalists to move on to the final round. This final is a LIVE quiz event that will test the students’ civics knowledge.

The winner of the National Civics Bee Colorado State Finals will be invited to Washington, D.C. to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee championship in the fall of 2024.

The Buena Vista Regional Finals of the National Civics Bee were held at the Surf Hotel. Photo by Jan Wondra

Local prizes include:

  • $500 for first place
  • $250 for second place
  • $125 for third place

Each finalist will also receive a certificate.

State prizes are:

  • $1,000 for first place
  • $500 for second place
  • $250 for third place

State Finalists who advance to the national competition will earn the chance to compete for prizes worth more than $50,000

How can students participate?

Colorado middle school students (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) from public, private, charter, or home schools are eligible to enter. They must submit their entry to one of the participating local chambers involved in this year’s competition.

Students must choose only one of the chamber civics bees to enter. Multiple entries will be disqualified. Immediate family (parents, spouses, children, siblings) or those residing in the household of employees, officers, and directors of the Sponsor or Co-Sponsors and any affiliated entities are not eligible to enter.

Students must be the sole author of the entry. Group entries or entries written by parents are not eligible.

The essay must be written in English. If the student has participated in a past competition, their entry must be new and unique.

The student must agree to the National Civics Bee’s rules, which includes the possibility of attending the local, state, and national competitions.

Three Civics Bee top-scoring Buena Vista Middle schoolers will go on to state competition. Left to right:
Third place: Andee Quilico, Buena Vista Middle School, Second place: Maya Lyle, Buena Vista Middle School, First place: Joseph Drexler, Darren Patterson Christian Academy

Students can submit their essay to one of the following participating chambers:

The top three students from each region will advance to the state competition to be held on May 17, 2024.

The essay topic asks students to, “Identify a problem facing your community. How might a citizen solve the problem?” Students will write a 500-word essay that clearly:

  • Identifies the problem, what it is and how different members of the community view it.
  • Shows what civic principles or systems could help address the problem.
  • Expresses the student’s idea or recommendation to solve the problem.
  • Shows primary sources, like the Declaration of Independence or United States Constitution, that provide supporting evidence or examples for the proposed solution.
  • Explains how members of the community can implement the proposed idea.

Judging criteria focuses on how well the essay:

  • Demonstrates an understanding of civics.
  • Acknowledges and addresses opposing viewpoints
  • Acknowledges and addresses at least one Founding Principle and one Civic Virtue
  • Uses primary sources, such as newspapers, data, historical documents, images, or other documents related to the proposed idea.
  • Clearly describes an innovative, or new-to-the-writer idea.

Once the essay is written, students will complete the online submission form and upload or mail their 500-word essay.

The National Civics Bee guidelines are available online here.

The online submission form for Buena Vista entries is available here.

Ark Valley Voice was a 2023 event media sponsor and has already committed to being the media sponsor of the local competition again in 2024.