Salina Area Chamber Hosts National Civics Bee for North Central Kansas Middle School Students
SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 National Civics Bee on Saturday at Kansas State University Salina.
The National Civics Bee is an initiative designed to encourage young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the annual nonpartisan competition for middle school students aims to increase civic knowledge, skills, and engagement among young people, their families, and their communities.
Students from across the country submitted essays addressing issues in their communities. Those essays were reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges, and top students from north central Kansas were selected to compete in the Salina Area Chamber’s regional competition, a live, in-person event featuring two rounds of civics quiz questions followed by a Q&A session in which students discussed their proposals for improving their communities.
Finalists were:
1st Place: Colin Burke, Salina South Middle School
2nd Place: Zaida Correa-Vasquez, Salina South Middle School
3rd Place: Gabe Rocha, Lakewood Middle School
“Each year, the National Civics Bee reminds us how much promise and talent exists in our communities in Kansas. Students step up with thoughtful solutions, bold ideas, and a willingness to participate, exactly the qualities our democracy and workforce need,” said Renee Duxler, president and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber. “We’re proud to support a program that strengthens civic knowledge and skills for young people and helps build the foundation for a stronger future.”
Judges for this year’s competition were Rodney Denholm, Family Resource Management Extension Agent with K-State Research and Extension; Chloe Hawkins, assistant public defender with the Salina Regional Public Defender Office; and Jacob Wood, Salina city manager.
The Chamber said the top three finalists stood out for their understanding of the community issues they wrote about, as well as their poise in presenting their ideas.
The first-place winner received a $500 cash prize, second place received $250, and third place received $125.
The top three winners will advance to the state competition hosted by the Kansas Leadership Center, along with alternates Reagan Cheeks of Salina South Middle School and Ian Hall of Lakewood Middle School, who placed fourth and fifth.
The Kansas state competition is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, in Wichita.
Top finishers at state will receive prizes of up to $1,000. The first-place state winner will also earn a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Championship in the fall of 2026. At nationals, the grand prize is a $100,000 contribution to a 529 plan. The second-place national finalist will receive $25,000, and the third-place finalist will receive $15,000.
For more information on the National Civics Bee, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation website.
