- Students must complete an essay by February 4
- Live event will be Friday, March 21
Rapid City, South Dakota — Elevate Rapid City, through the Elevate Foundation, proudly announces the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Rapid City will inspire 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.
Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, and home schools are invited to participate in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel of judges reviews the essays, the top 20 students 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. Elevate Rapid City will host the local competition on March 21, 2025. The local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including prizes worth at least $500 for the first-place student.
Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious prizes throughout the competition. 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 South Dakota 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.
Laura Jones, Elevate Rapid City housing and community development manager, said, “We are excited to bring this opportunity to the Black Hills region. We are interested to read the essays and learn what young citizens think Rapid City's biggest challenges are along with their solutions to them. This is a great opportunity for students to participate in their community as well as learn a bit more about the civic process.”
“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 Rapid City competition is hosted by Elevate Rapid City and the Elevate Foundation. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Elevate Rapid City.
For more information on entering the National Civics Bee® visit: https://www.elevaterapidcity.com/civics-bee/