The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its role as Wisconsin’s official State Partner for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee®, a nationwide initiative that encourages middle school students to build civic knowledge, engage with local issues, and become active participants in their communities. The Chamber will host the Wisconsin State Competition in Eau Claire at South Middle School on May 9th, 2026.
The National Civics Bee® begins with an essay competition open to all students residing in Wisconsin in grades 6-8, whether they attend public, private, charter, virtual, or homeschool environments. Students are invited to identify a local issue they care about, explain its importance, and propose a solution. The top 20 essay finalists from across the state will advance to the live competition in Eau Claire, WI. Finally, the state champion will advance to the National Competition in Washington D.C., in the fall of 2026.
The essay submission portal is now open, and entries will be accepted through February 3rd, 2026.
Parents, grandparents, and community members play a key role in supporting and encouraging student participation. Families can help students identify local challenges they are passionate about, discuss community issues together, and further share the opportunity with educators, youth organizers, and neighborhood networks. Sharing this opportunity will ensure that students statewide are aware of this unique chance to grow their writing, research, and critical-thinking skills.
Last year, Eau Claire once again demonstrated its strong commitment to civic learning through its regional competition, hosted at DeLong Middle School. As this year marks the transition to a single statewide event, the Chamber looks forward to welcoming students and families from across Wisconsin to Eau Claire. Notably, the Eau Claire region has produced the past two consecutive Wisconsin State Civics Bee champions:
- Rya M., DeLong Middle School – inaugural 2024 State Civics Bee winner
- Leila C., South Middle School – 2025 State Civics Bee winner
More about the National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee® is a nonpartisan initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, delivered in partnership with local and state chambers across the country. Through essay submissions and live competitions, the program inspires middle school students to deepen their understanding of civics and become informed, active members of their communities.
For essay guidelines, resources, and details on how schools, students, families, and sponsors can get involved, please visit: https://www.eauclairechamber.org/workforce/national-civics-bee/
