The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) will host the local competition for the 2025 National Civics Bee® on April 15 at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College. In partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this event encourages middle school students to engage in civics, understand American democracy, and contribute to their communities.

Eleven middle school students from school districts across Centre County have been selected as finalists and will compete in a live, interactive event to showcase their civics knowledge.

A distinguished panel of judges will oversee the competition, including Ferguson Township Manager Centrice Martin, Pennsylvania Representative Paul Takac, State College Borough Manager Tom Fountaine, College Township Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Keri Miller, and Penn State College of Education Dean Dr. Kimberly Lawless.

Finalists will compete in two rounds of civics questions, followed by a Q&A segment that will test their knowledge of civic issues and responsibilities. The top five finalists will deliver a summary of their civics essay, which they submitted earlier this year to enter the competition. The first-place student at the local competition will receive a prize of $500, with second and third place receiving $250 and $125, respectively.