28-01-2025
National Civics Bee deadline for essay submission coming up
Jan. 28—Essay submission for the 3rd Annual National Civics Bee Sponsored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Abell-Hanger Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a week away.
The 2025 National Civics Bee, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. This essay contest is open to all middle schoolers, regardless of the community they live in. It's aimed at students being better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.
Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition, which is open through Feb. 4. The top 20 student essay winners 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 Odessa Chamber of Commerce will host the regional competition in April of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes of $1,000 for the first-place student, $500 for second place, $250 for third place and other prizes for runners up.
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 Texas 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.
"This will be the third year that the Odessa Chamber of Commerce will host the National Civics Bee. It's an amazing program that features middle school students and their knowledge on Civics and community issues. This year, we are thrilled to be able to invite students from the West Texas region to submit an essay and participate in the competition," Renee' Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release.
For the second year in a row, the Abell-Hanger Foundation is also a proud supporter.
"At the close of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked if we have a republic or a monarchy, to which he replied, "A republic, if we can keep it." What exactly did Mr. Franklin mean by that statement? Fundamental to retaining the form of government that we have is an informed electorate. The Civics Bee is an effort to ensure that our youth have a basic understanding of the governing documents of our country so that they may fulfill their responsibility as engaged and informed citizens," said Mark Palmer, CEO of Abell-Hanger Foundation. "This effort aligns well with the personal values of George Abell, who along with his wife Gladys, founded the Abell-Hanger Foundation. We take pride in knowing that we are assisting the youth of West Texas to fulfill this great responsibility," he added.
"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.
The deadline for the essay submission is Feb. 4. For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Texas visit:
For additional information, please contact Allison Gray at [email protected] or call 432-333-7863.
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.
