Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
Second annual event to take place June 5 at the Kansas Leadership Center
Wichita, Kan. – The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and five chambers of commerce across Kansas to host the second statewide civics competition, June 5 at KLC in downtown Wichita.
“We are proud to host the National Civics Bee Kansas state finals for a second year. We believe that informed and active citizens create more innovative and connected communities, that thriving communities make for a strong democracy, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Civics Bee, the Kansas Leadership Center fosters greater civic knowledge throughout Kansas and celebrates our civic pride,” said Kaye Monk-Morgan, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center.
The Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee will feature middle school student finalists from five local competitions hosted by participating chambers in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina and Wichita. Students will share their ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics. Family, friends and spectators will not get off the hook, as the audience will play along and test their civic knowledge too! The winner will receive a cash prize and represent Kansas in the national championship in Washington, D.C. in Fall 2025.
Agenda for Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
- Emcee: Fayola Oyatayo
- Poetry reading and discussion with Desmond E. Bryant-White
- Keynote: Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA
- Breakout Sessions: Student Civic Leadership Workshop, Educator & Parent/Guardian Civic Engagement Roundtable, Corporate Social Responsibility Panel on Civic Engagement (sponsored by Fidelity Bank)
4 p.m. Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
Our panel of judges:
- Michael Smith, Political Science Professor, Emporia State University
- Jacqueline Kelly, Sedgwick County District Judge
- Emily Hedges Vietti, Associate Teaching Professor, KU School of Professional Studies
6 p.m. Networking Reception
The Kansas State Finals and related pre-programming are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
Community Partners
The following organizations will have tables at the event to share ways to get involved in your community:
- Global Ties KC (Youth Diplomats)
- Leading Kansas
- Local 4-H
- Transparent Campaign Initiative
- Wichita Documenters
- Wichita Journalism Collaborative
- Wichita Public Library
Not a Kansas resident? Learn more about the National Civics Bee and find a local competition in your state!
2025 Kansas State Finalists
Hutchinson area:
- Titus W., Hutchinson Middle School
- Jaxson H., Hutchinson Middle School
- Rylan G., Hutchinson Middle School
Overland Park area:
- Madeleine S., Prairie Star Middle School
- Shahreen A., Oxford Middle School
- Jack H., Leawood Middle School
Pittsburg area:
- Morgan B., Pittsburg Community Middle School
- Addisyn U., Southeast Middle School
- Ashley S., Southeast Middle School
Salina area:
- Connor M., Southeast of Saline
- Zane H., Salina Lakewood Middle School
- Dalayne P., Saline South Middle School
Wichita area:
- Tanya R., Robinson Middle School
- Kamee P., Robinson Middle School
- Jen C., Robinson Middle School
About the Kansas Leadership Center
The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit educational organization with a civic mission, national reputation and global reach. Founded in 2007 to foster leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities, KLC receives core funding from the Kansas Health Foundation (a private, philanthropic organization). It partners with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, businesses and communities to build cultures that are healthy, productive and well-positioned to make measurable progress on daunting challenges and emergent opportunities. KLC Press publishes leadership books and The Journal, a nationally recognized, award-winning civic issues magazine.
Over the past 16 years, KLC has built a strong and respected institution in Kansas designed to deliver leadership development and culture change at unparalleled scale. Now, organizations across the country and around the world look to us to provide resources and consultation to support their own aspirations for mission-driven leadership education. Learn more at www.kansasleadershipcenter.org.
MEDIA:
Carrie Lindeman
316-393-1076
carrie@lindemancollective.com
