OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The State Chamber of Oklahoma is calling upon parents and teachers to sign their youngsters up for local civics bees, giving the kids a chance to qualify for the state competition that will be hosted by the Chamber in 2025 and possibly win cash and a scholarship.
The 2025 National Civics Bee Oklahoma State Finals seeks to motivate young Oklahomans to become engaged citizens by learning how their government works. The State Chamber hosted Oklahoma’s 2024 National Civics Bee competition in August. Middle schoolers who won their local competitions participated in the state final, answering highly challenging questions about civics, which included U.S. government and judicial history. Each contestant also gave an oral presentation of the essay each wrote for the competition.
The Chamber will host the competition in summer 2025 in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, inspiring 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 State Chamber is thrilled to once again host the second annual state finals of the National Civics Bee. It’s a great way to inspire young Oklahomans to get involved in their local communities, share ideas, and engage in civics,” said Brent Skarky, Senior Vice President of Communications for The State Chamber. “Our goal is to promote how government functions among Oklahoma students in a fun yet competitive way.”
The winner of the state finals will participate in the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington D.C.
The competitions offer prizes worth at least $1,000 for the state champion and $50,000 for the national winner. The competitions enable students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship.
Finalists from local competitions across Oklahoma will be invited to compete in the state finals.
The state finals will include a live quiz event in which the student competitors will answer questions from judges to test their civic knowledge. The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in 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.
Cullen Perez, an eighth grader at Lawton MacArthur Middle School, won the 2024 National Civics Bee Oklahoma State Finals, which was held at Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will host the 2024 National Civics Bee Championship in Washington D.C. on Nov. 12. Perez will be there as a competitor.
