On Friday, March 14, the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce and the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber Foundation hosted the 2025 National Civics Bee i Milledgeville, GA, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Addison M., Ameila T., and Jordan J. were named the top three finalists of the National Civics Bee in Milledgeville, organized in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“We were thrilled to host the National Civics Bee again this year and see it grow in such a big way. With over 60 essay submissions and 18 students competing live, it was incredible to watch these bright young minds test their civic knowledge and engage with real-world issues. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were truly inspiring, and we’re so proud of every student who participated.

We can’t wait to bring this event back next year and continue fostering a deeper understanding of civics in our community,” said Kara Lassiter, President & CEO of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are facing a civics crisis in America. Surveys show that 70% of adults cannot pass a basic civics quiz, and 79% of 8th graders fall below proficiency in civics. This threatens the strength, prosperity, and resilience of our nation. The National Civics Bee is dedicated to enhancing civics knowledge, skills, and disposition among young people and adults alike, inspiring the next generation to make a positive impact in their communities.” said Hilary Crow, Vice President, Civics, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

After a distinguished panel of judges reviewed the essays, the top essay finalists from the first- round civics essay competition were selected to advance to their local competition. Eighteen local  finalists participated in the local competition: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge. Addison M. from Oak Hill Middle School took first place, followed by Ameila T. and Jordan J. for second and third places, respectively. The judges for this year’s competition were Dr. Harold Mock with Georgia College & State University, Semika Roach, owner of Provision Counseling, LLC and Dr. Jeff Wells with Georgia Military College.

The top three finalists impressed the judges with their thoughtful essays and presentations on key local issues, including poverty, homelessness, and water accessibility in our community. They not only showed a strong understanding of these challenges but also shared meaningful ideas on how our community can work together to make a difference. Their ability to think critically, communicate their ideas clearly, and connect civics to real-world issues truly set them apart in this year’s competition.

The first-place winner received a $500 cash prize and will advance to the state competition hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce along with the other two finalists. The top state winners willreceive various prizes, and the first-place winner of the State Finals will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship in the Fall of 2025. Prizes at the National Championship include a grand prize of a $100,000 529 plan for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place.

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce will host the National Civics Bee Georgia State Finals on June 27, 2025, at the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA.

For more information on the National Civics Bee in Milledgeville, visit: https://milledgevillega.com/community/national-civics-bee/ or the nationalcivicsbee.org. For interview requests or additional information, please contact Kara Lassiter at [email protected] or Leah Frazier at [email protected].