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Press Release: Loudoun Chamber Hosts Inaugural National Civics Bee® in Loudoun

by Andrea Winey

21 middle school students to compete for Loudoun Civics Bee title on April 30th at Morven Park

Lansdowne, VA — The Loudoun Chamber will hold the first-ever National Civics Bee® live competition in Loudoun on Wednesday, April 30th, from 6-8 p.m. at Morven Park, where 21 middle school students will test their civics knowledge and compete to represent Loudoun at the State and National levels.

An initiative of the U.S. Chamber Foundation, the National Civics Bee® aims to encourage more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

“The Loudoun Chamber launched the Civics Bee to inspire middle schoolers to learn more about American democracy, engage constructively with their fellow citizens, and build greater trust in our nation’s institutions. America needs an educated citizenry that works together, respectfully, to address our most significant challenges. That is what we hope to inspire in this next generation,” said Loudoun Chamber President Tony Howard.

Thirty-six public, private, and home-schooled 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students competed in the first round of the Loudoun Civics Bee, an essay competition. A panel of local business and community leaders reviewed the essays and selected the top 21 students to compete in the Loudoun Civics Bee.

Here are the 21 local student finalists:

  1. Pranav Akkanapally, Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School
  2. Aneruddha Das, Eagle Ridge Middle School
  3. Ellie DeVaughn, James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School
  4. Liam Gandhi, Farmwell Station Middle School
  5. Avni Giri, Farmwell Station Middle School
  6. Arsema Hailu, Pennington Traditional School
  7. Yousef Kiani, J. Lupton Simpson Middle School
  8. Krishiv Komma, Willard Middle School
  9. Benjamin LaHousse, LaHousse Classical Christian School
  10. Joel Lee, Willard Middle School
  11. Mehna Majjiga, Belmont Ridge Middle School
  12. Rohan Packer, Ideaventions Academy
  13. Medhani Rajat, Willard Middle School
  14. Kriti Regandla, Willard Middle School
  15. Vivaan Shah, Brambleton Middle School
  16. Rayaan Shaik, Mercer Middle School
  17. Dhanya Sharma, Harper Park Middle School
  18. Michael Smith, Blue Ridge Middle School
  19. Mahit Somarapu, Willard Middle School
  20. Kalhan Tikoo, Brambleton Middle School
  21. Sahana Tripathi, Watson Mountain Middle School

The local competition will feature two rounds: the first round is a live quiz testing the students’ civics knowledge. Audience members can also participate in the quiz competition from their phones.

Following the quiz competition, the top five scoring students will advance to the final round, where they discuss their essay for three minutes, then face two minutes of questions from a panel of judges.

The winner of the National Civics Bee® in Loudoun will receive a $500 prize. The second and third-place students will receive $250 and $125, respectively.

Winners from each of the local competitions in Virginia will compete in the state finals on June 7th in Williamsburg. The first-place winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for prizes worth at least $50,000 during the national championship in the Fall of 2025.

“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee® provides a unique platform for them to showcase their knowledge and become active, engaged citizens,” said Hilary Crow, VP at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

 

About National Civics Bee®

The National Civics Bee®, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is an annual nonpartisan competition to improve civics education and literacy among middle school students, families, and communities, and elevate civics as a national priority through state and local chambers.

 

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