National Civics Bee Pennsylvania State Finals

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition to promote young Americans’ engagement in and knowledge of civics, and contributing to their communities.

The PA Chamber of Business and Industry partners with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and chambers of commerce across Pennsylvania to host this statewide civics competition.

Participating 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are tested on their civics knowledge for a chance to win cash prizes. The National Civics Bee Pennsylvania State Finals winner is invited to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship in Washington, D.C. in November 2024.

The 2024 National Civics Bee Pennsylvania State Finals were held on Friday, June 14, at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Harrisburg where fifteen students from across the state were invited to compete.

The finalists participated in two multiple-choice rounds, after which the top five finalists discussed their original ideas for community improvement, as shared in essays that got them to the state finals. Mariya Hoja from Fairview Middle School in Erie, PA, took first in the competition and will represent Pennsylvania at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., this fall! Her idea is to work to reduce algae blooms in Lake Erie to improve the health of the people and wildlife in the region.

  • 1st Place (and the winner of $1,000 and a spot in the National Civics Bee in November): Mariya Hoja, Fairview Middle School
  • 2nd Place (and the winner of $750): Saketh Pochiraju, Mountain View Middle School
  • 3rd place (and the winner of $500): Gautam Mannem, Charles F. Patton Middle School

Mariya Hoja stated, “I think it is important to study civics because it applies to almost every aspect of our lives and how the constitution governs our land and what we do every day.”

How to Get Involved in 2025

If you are an educator or nonprofit organization that works with middle school students and would like to engage your learners/program participants in the 2025 Civics Bee, you can fill out the interest form to receive more information here!

Middle school students in grades 6 through 8 will be able to take part in the 2025 National Civics Bee by submitting an essay online to participating local chambers of commerce. The essays should be 500 words outlining an original idea, using civics, for how they would better their communities. The essays are then reviewed by a panel of judges, and 20 finalists are ultimately selected to participate in a live Civics Bee competition hosted by the participating local chambers of commerce. The top three finalists from each regional Civics Bee advance to the Pennsylvania State Finals.

For more information on the Civics Bee visit the PA Chamber website!