![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/National_Civics_Bee.png\")
Middle school students compete at the 2025 National Civics Bee\u00ae.\t\t<\/p>\n\t\tMiddle school students compete at the 2025 National Civics Bee\u00ae.\t\t<\/p>\n
Florida State University\u2019s\u00a0Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) will host the\u00a02026 Florida Statewide Finals of the National Civics Bee\u00ae<\/a>\u202f\u00a0at\u00a04\u00a0p.m.\u00a0Tuesday, June 30, at\u202fthe Augustus\u202fB. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center.\u00a0The event will bring together\u00a0middle school students from across Florida who advanced through regional competitions to compete in a live, quiz-style civics championship.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u202fPresented in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and chambers of commerce across Florida,\u202fwith Kinder Morgan serving as the presenting sponsor,\u202fthe nonpartisan competition encourages students in grades 6-8 to deepen their understanding of American government, civic\u202fresponsibility\u202fand community engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Florida winner will earn a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee\u00ae\u00a0championship\u202fthis fall, where students will compete for national honors and a first-place 529 education award of $100,000.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u202fThis year\u2019s statewide finals will feature an interactive\u202faudience experience, remarks on the importance of civic education, and a distinguished lineup of event leaders and judges, including:\u202f<\/p>\n Keynote Speaker: Ryan Owens,\u00a0Director\u00a0of the IGC, on the vital role of civic education in shaping future leaders\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Allen Fore,\u00a0VP for Public Affairs at Kinder Morgan, Inc. (Returning)\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The Honorable Nina Ashenafi-Richardson, Leon County Judge, 2nd\u202fJudicial Court\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Barney Bishop,\u202fPresident & CEO of Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Sherry Lawrance,\u202fDeerlake\u202fMiddle School Civics\u202fTeacher\u202fand FSU Alumna (Returning)\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n DeVoe Moore,\u202fEntrepreneur <\/p>\n \u201cThe National Civics Bee gives students a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their understanding of government, think\u00a0clearly\u00a0about their communities and see themselves as active participants in civic life,\u201d said Ryan Owens, director of the IGC. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to welcome these outstanding students to Tallahassee and celebrate the curiosity, leadership and civic responsibility they represent.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe National Civics Bee gives students a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their understanding of government, think clearly about their communities and see themselves as active participants in civic life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 Ryan Owens, director of the IGC<\/p>\n \u202fThe event is free and open to the public, and community members are invited to attend\u202fas spectators,\u202fparticipate\u202fin the live audience experience and cheer on students as they\u202fdemonstrate\u202ftheir knowledge of civics and their commitment to public life.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u202fThe statewide finals reflect\u202fthe\u202fIGC\u2019s broader mission to strengthen civic knowledge and prepare the next generation of engaged citizens and responsible leaders. At a time when civic understanding matters as much as ever, the National Civics Bee\u00ae\u00a0offers students a meaningful opportunity to learn, lead and contribute to their communities.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \u202fFor more information about the\u202fFlorida\u202fStatewide Civics Bee,\u202fvisit\u00a0igc.fsu.edu<\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n About the Institute for Governance and Civics:\u202fThe Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) at Florida State University is dedicated to creating the next generation of effective citizens and responsible leaders. Established in 2023, the IGC supports a variety of initiatives that promote constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, and educational liberty through data-driven research, excellence in teaching, and intellectually diverse exchange. To learn more about the IGC, visit\u202figc.fsu.edu<\/a>\u202for follow on\u202fFacebook<\/a>,\u202fX<\/a>,\u202fInstagram<\/a>,\u202fLinkedIn<\/a>, and\u202fYouTube<\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n