Coweta County to Host First National Civics Bee Competition March 17 at Nixon Centre
The first Coweta County National Civics Bee competition will be held at the Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Monday, March 17.
The initiative—sponsored by the Newnan-Coweta Chamber—is aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The Newnan-Coweta Chamber will host its local competition on March 17, 2025, at the Donald W. Nixon Centre. Local finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including awards worth at least $500 for the first-place student.
Hosted in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Newnan seeks to inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and build greater trust in others and institutions.
Eighth-grade students from public, private, charter and home schools have been invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. After a panel of judges reviews the essays, the top 20 students will advance to 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.
“The Newnan-Coweta Chamber is proud to support the National Civics Bee, empowering the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and confidence to engage in their communities,” said Candace Boothby, CEO of the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce. “Sponsoring this initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and leadership development among students. By investing in this program, we are helping to build a stronger, more informed future for Coweta County and beyond.”
“I am excited for our school system to help co-host this first-ever National Civics Bee competition here in Coweta County,” said Phil Sykes, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for the Coweta County School System. “It will highlight our students, and the great work of a lot of teachers who are making sure our students are prepared for future roles in their community and to be good citizens of our community.”
Participants in the National Civics Bee will have the chance to gain recognition for their civics knowledge and skills and compete for prestigious prizes throughout the competition. The event enables students to explore issues that matter to their communities, further their understanding of civic engagement and foster responsible citizenship. Winners from local competitions across Georgia will be invited to take part in the state finals.
The first-place winner of the state finals will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in fall 2025.
The National Civics Bee, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Civic Trust, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families and communities. The competition 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.
