Good News: Local students compete at Missouri Civics Bee

The inaugural Missouri Civics Bee was held Wednesday, August 6th at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia, and three local winners of the local competition held in Grain Valley were among the finalists competing yesterday. 

Middle schoolers put their civic knowledge to the test after winning local competitions hosted by the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce, Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce and Harrisonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Three local students, Ruslana T. from Ray Pec East Middle School, Loula B. from Grain Valley North Middle School, and Anthony W. from Grain Valley North Middle School, were the top three winners in the local competition hosted by the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce on May 1st among those competing on Wednesday in Columbia. Anthony W. of Grain Valley North Middle School was among five finalists in the state competition.

The 2025 Missouri Civics Bee Champion, Konnor C., was presented with a trophy and a cash prize of $1,000. Konnor will represent Missouri at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C.

The National Civics Bee is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's The Civic Trust. The application window for the 2026 competition will open in September. For more information, visit Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce - National Civics Bee. 

Top photo: Anthony W., a student at Grain Valley North Middle School, was among five contestants who competed in the final round of the Missouri Civics Bee on Wednesday, August 6th in Columbia. Photo credit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce

Bottom photo: Contestants prepare for the beginning of the inaugural Missouri Civics Bee. Photo credit: Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce