24 Middle School Civic Leaders to Compete in First Georgia Civics Bee State Finals Hosted by Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation

ATLANTA — Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced that 24 middle school civic leaders from eight communities across Georgia will compete in the National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals. For the first time, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation will host the National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.  

The 2025 National Civics Bee® is an initiative designed to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition in Georgia will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in their community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.   

The 2025 National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals will take place on June 27 at 9:00 AM at the Carter Center in Atlanta.  

Finalists in the National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals attend the following schools:  

• Union Grove Middle School, McDonough
• Oak Hill Middle School, Milledgeville
• Smokey Road Middle School, Newnan
• Blake Bass Middle School, Sharpsburg 
• Bennett’s Mill Middle School, Fayetteville 
• The Heritage School, Newnan 
• Whitewater Middle School, Fayetteville 
• McIntosh County Middle School, Darien 
• Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School, Albany 
• Dean Rusk Middle School, Canton 
• Trickum Middle School, Lilburn 
• Mill Creek Middle School, Woodstock 
• Stallings Island Middle School, Martinez 
• Riverside Middle School, Evans 
• Augusta Chrisian Schools, Martinez

To qualify for the National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals, the middle school civic leaders must have finished in the top three at their local competitions. The chambers of commerce that hosted local competitions are:

• Albany Area Chamber of Commerce
• Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, Inc.
• Columbia County Chamber
• Darien-McIntosh County Chamber
• Fayette Chamber of Commerce
• Henry County Chamber of Commerce
• Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber Foundation 
• Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 

Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber said:

“Preparing the next generation of civic leaders is a key goal of the Georgia Chamber. It’s why we and our Georgia Chamber Foundation team decided to host the National Civics Bee Georgia State Finals, so young Georgia leaders can learn to respectfully engage with each other while developing solutions for their communities. Our hope is that these young Georgians will continue embracing servant-hearted leadership throughout their lives as they strive to keep Georgia the best state to live, work, and play.”  

Hilary Crow, Vice President of Civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation said: 

“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.” 

At the Georgia State Finals, students will participate in a live quiz event and answer questions from judges to test their civic knowledge. The winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the national championship in the fall of 2025.  Participants in the National Civics Bee® will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills, and compete for prestigious awards, including $1,000 for the state champion and $50,000 for the national winner. The competition enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, furthering their understanding of civic engagement and fostering responsible citizenship.   

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About the Georgia Chamber
Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched GEORGIA|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com. 

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.