On Friday, June 12, Mila Khorram of the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA, won the Pennsylvania State Finals of the National Civics Bee, held at Penn State University’s HUB-Robeson Center. As the state champion, Mila will represent Pennsylvania at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., this fall, competing against top students from across the country for a chance to win a $100,000 scholarship. Hosted by the PA Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber Foundation and 11 regional chambers of commerce across the Commonwealth, the event brought together 33 exceptional middle school students to demonstrate their civics knowledge and present innovative ideas to improve their communities. This year’s competition also celebrated America250, highlighting Pennsylvania’s key role in our nation’s founding and its continued importance in preserving our democracy. The program emphasized the urgent need to reverse the national decline in civics knowledge and to foster a new generation of informed, engaged civic leaders. “Congratulations to Mila on an outstanding performance and to all of the students who reached the state finals and demonstrated impressive civics knowledge,” PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said in a press release. “Events like this remind us why Pennsylvania’s future is bright. During this semiquincentennial year, hosting the state’s Civics Bee further underscores the importance of engaging young people in our democracy. Their passion for improving their communities is a great indication showing that our Commonwealth and nation will be in capable hands.” The competition featured two rounds of quiz-style civics questions, followed by a final round in which the top five students presented and defended their original essays, outlining how they would use civics to improve their communities. A panel of judges selected the winners. Jason Haley, the 2026 National American History Teacher of the Year, emceed the event. Mila’s winning essay featured the creation and implementation of a free financial literacy for middle school students that educates them in a fun, interactive way. The PA Chamber Foundation proudly congratulates the winners of the 2026 National Civics Bee Pennsylvania State Finals: First Place: Mila Khorram– $1,000 Second Place: Adler Moraski – $750 Third Place: Eisa Khan – $500 We extend our sincere congratulations to all participants and thank our Civics Bee host, Penn State University; as well as our event sponsors – Prize Sponsor, PSECU; Technology Sponsor, Intrada Technologies; and Transportation Sponsor, Sheetz. We also thank the educators and families who inspired these students to become the next generation of civic leaders. Together, we are building a stronger, more civically engaged Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee/