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Regional Civics Bee

Thursday, April 23, 2026 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) (CDT)

Description

We invite you and the Duluth School District community to join us for the first-ever Regional Civics Bee on April 23 at 5:00 p.m. at the Hermantown High School Auditorium—an inspiring evening celebrating the knowledge, passion, and civic engagement of our local students.
Please feel free to share the attached flyer and registration information with anyone who may be interested in attending.
This event is a chance to support civics education in our middle schools (6th, 7th, and 8th grade students). From a pool of 20 finalists, 17 students will take the stage to compete, with the top three advancing to the state finals—showcasing the strength and dedication of our region’s young learners.
Finalists from across the area will demonstrate their understanding of government, history, and community involvement as they compete for top honors. This fast-paced, quiz-style competition highlights the importance of informed and active citizenship while celebrating some of the brightest young minds in our community.
Come support these outstanding students, connect with community leaders, and be part of an event that encourages the next generation to make a difference. This event is free and open to the public—we hope to see you there!
The Civics Bee is a national, nonpartisan competition for middle school students (grades 6–8), designed to boost civic knowledge, leadership skills, and real-world civic engagement. It is presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Civic Trust.

https://youtu.be/R-YIiwGQRcI?si=DWRjINdRYnRmCpEr


 

Important Deadlines / Process

*April 23rd: Twenty students from Greater Minnesota will be selected from the essay submissions to participate in our Regional Civics Bee at the Hermantown High School Auditorium on a Thursday evening at 5 p.m to 6 p.m.

*June 14th: The top 3 winners from each regional competition advance to the MN State Civics Bee, at MN History Center  (There are 5 regional competitions, so our local students who advance will have a 1:5 opportunity to move on to nationals!)

*November: National Civics Bee

*Dates are subject to change

Materials: 

2026-Student-Flyer-New.pdf Civic Bee Educator-Toolkit Student Essay Guide 

Local Contact: Frances Wittenberg | frances@hermantownchamber.com | 218.729.6843


What it is:
A national, nonpartisan civics competition for middle school students (grades 6–8) designed to boost civic knowledge, leadership skills, and real-world civic engagement. It’s run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Civic Trust initiative and partners with local/state chambers across the country. 

How it works:

Students start by submitting a 500-word essay proposing a civic solution for their community. The Civic Trust®

Local and regional bees may include live quiz rounds and Q&A segments. 

Winners advance from local → state → national levels. 

Purpose:
The Bee exists to improve civic literacy, encourage active citizenship, and get young people thinking about community solutions, not just memorizing facts. U.S. Chamber Foundation

Cost & Access:
Entry is free and open to students in public, private, charter, or homeschool settings. The Civic Trust®

Prizes & Recognition:
Students can earn recognition, cash awards, and major scholarships, including a $100,000 education savings prize for the national champion. 

Recent developments:
The program has expanded to all 50 states ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, reaching tens of thousands of students. U.S. Chamber Foundation

Bottom line:
It’s not just a quiz—it’s a civics movement aimed at making civic understanding and engagement part of how young people see their role in the community. U.S. Chamber Foundation


Images

Hermantown HIgh School
4335 Hawk Circle
Hermantown, MN 55811 United States
Event Contact
Frances Wittenberg
218.729.6843
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Thursday, April 23, 2026 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM) (CDT)
Registered Guests
15
Registration Closed
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