CANTON, GA (November 5, 2024) – The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging 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 Cherokee County 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, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a distinguished panel of judges review the essays, the top 20 students will be selected to advance to their 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 competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship.
The Chamber will host the local Cherokee County competition in the spring of 2025. The local finalists and top winners will all win prizes, with first place receiving $500. Winners from each of the local competitions across Georgia 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. “The Cherokee County Chamber is excited to partner with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the 2025 National Civics Bee® to our community. Students in grades six through eight are encouraged to learn more about the competition that will test their civics knowledge while awarding excellent prizes to the winners,” remarked Eric Rein, Senior VP & Commercial Relationship Officer, Renasant Bank, and 2024 Chamber Board Chair.
“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 mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business to expand the economy and enrich the community. To learn more about the Chamber, visit CherokeeChamber.com, or for more information on entering the National Civics Bee® in Cherokee County visit: cherokeechamber.com/educational-events or NationalCivicsBee.org.
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About National Civics Bee®
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.
