FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 10, 2025

Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Top 20 Finalists for National Civics Bee

Brookings, SD – The Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is proud to announce the top 20 local finalists for the National Civics Bee! This exciting competition encourages middle school students (6th–8th grade) to engage in civics, develop their leadership skills, and contribute to their communities.

Following an impressive first round of essay submissions, judges have selected the top 20 essay authors who will advance to the live local Civics Bee event. These outstanding students will compete in three rounds of multiple-choice and live-answer questions to determine the top five winners.

Congratulations to our finalists:

• Lydia E.
• Iyie N.
• Stanturf D.
• Piper F.
• Jennings H.
• Moustafa S.
• Sanhita T.
• Rayaan A.
• Allison A.
• Rachel E.
• Awurama D.
• Leland S.
• Charlie B.
• Micah S.
• Isaac H.
• Kate B.
• Joshua N.
• Adrian B.
• Davina L.
• Bella B

Each finalist will receive a brand-new Android tablet, the top five winners will advance to the state competition, and the top three winners will earn cash prizes ranging from $125 to $500. The state champion will move on to Washington, D.C., where they will compete for a share of $50,000 in prizes!

Join us for this exciting event on March 27 at 6:00 PM at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center (Founder’s Recital Hall) to cheer on our local youth as they showcase their civic knowledge and leadership!

This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors:

• Platinum Sponsor: Teesdale Law
• Gold Sponsors: Amazon Hub Delivery, Brookings County, Brookings County Bar Association, and Culver’s
• Silver Sponsors: Brookings County Republicans and Brookings County Democrats

We appreciate their commitment to empowering the next generation of civic leaders!

For more information, please contact Layne Manson at the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce at layne@brookingschamber.org or 605-692-8922.