Essays are now being accepted!
The St. Tammany Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the National Civics Bee® to Southeast Louisiana for a second year. This nonpartisan competition encourages middle school students to explore how they can use civics to make a difference in their communities.
ABOUT THE CIVICS BEE
The National Civics Bee is an annual, nonpartisan competition organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. National finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship in Fall 2027.
Open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, the competition begins with an essay about an idea for improving their community through civics. Selected essay finalists (up to 20) are invited to compete in a live Regional Competition, where they put their civics knowledge to the test—and can earn recognition and cash prizes.
The top three winners from each Regional Competition advance to the state competition, where they compete for first-, second- and third-place prizes. The first-place state winner advances to the National Championship.
WHY CIVICS?
We believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the National Civics Bee, we promote greater civic knowledge in Southeast Louisiana and celebrate our civic pride.
HOW TO ENTER THE 2027 COMPETITION
Essays are now being accepted for the 2027 National Civics Bee!
Any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student residing in southeast Louisiana with an idea about using civics to improve their community is encouraged to participate.
Submit your essay through the online application portal by Wednesday, February 3, 2027, at 3:59 a.m. Central Time.
If selected, you will be invited to participate in the Regional Competition (live competition) to be held in St. Tammany in April 2027 (exact date and location TBD).
The Regional Competition finalists compete for cash prizes.
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $125
STUDENT RESOURCES
Learn more about the competition and prepare your essay with these resources:
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Are you an educator in an area public, private or home school? You can bring the National Civics Bee to life in your classroom! Download the toolkit below or contact Michelle Biggs at 985-273-3003 or michelle@sttammanychamber.org for more information.
CELEBRATING OUR 2026 REGIONAL WINNERS
The St. Tammany Chamber hosted its first National Civics Bee Regional Competition in May 2026, bringing together middle school students from across Southeast Louisiana to demonstrate their civics knowledge and share ideas for improving their communities.
1st Place: Henry Schneidau, St. Margaret Mary Catholic School, Slidell
2nd Place: Carolyn McCormick, Monteleone Junior High School, Mandeville
3rd Place: Kaysen Barlow, St. Tammany Junior High School, Slidell
EXPERIENCE THE NATIONAL CIVICS BEE
See highlights from the 2026 National Civics Bee Regional Competition in St. Tammany.
