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BUENA VISTA, Colorado – Middle school students from Buena Vista-area schools competed in the 2025 National Civics Bee® regional competition on April 27. The event was hosted by the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Daniels Fund and the Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Students competed with their peers in a live quiz event and answered questions from judges to test their civics knowledge. The top three finalists from the Buena Vista competition will have the chance to participate in the state-level competition hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce in Denver on May 30, 2025. The Colorado state champion will advance to the National Civics Bee® competition in Washington, D.C. in Fall 2025, to compete for the national title, as well as over $140,000 in prizes.
“We’re proud to continue working with our local chamber partners for the third consecutive year, reinforcing our commitment to fostering active participation in government and democracy among young Coloradans,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “Investing in our future means investing in civic education, and it’s inspiring to see this program continue to grow every year. By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to participate in our democracy, we’re building a brighter future for our state and nation. Congratulations to this year’s regional finalists and we look forward to hosting them in Denver to compete for the state title!”
“I believe there is no more urgent matter in this moment in our country’s history than to learn to listen to each other again, to be safe spaces to share ideas, and even to learn to disagree with kindness and curiosity,” said Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Morgan. “It’s the job of community leaders to teach the youth how to engage in the process with us while we practice it ourselves. As we host the third annual National Civics Bee in Buena Vista with our co-hosts, the League of Women Voters of Chaffee County, we are already experiencing the ripple effects of celebrating civic dialogue throughout our community. We are cultivating the idea that it is welcome to be bold and courageous, to think outside of the box, to voice honest concern, and to share ideas. Imagine a society where everyone knew their voice mattered. With the Civics Bee as a catalyst, that’s what we aim to build.”
“The National Civics Bee is inspiring the next generation of Americans to learn how their government works, and the part they can play as active and engaged citizens,” said Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “It’s exciting that more than 400 communities across the country are hosting local civics bees, including the Buena Vista Civics Bee. We’re proud to be a founding partner because the Civics Bee is a fun competition that brings together students, teachers, parents, and local communities. Good luck to all the students who stepped up to compete.”
Winners of the Buena Vista-area National Civics Bee® include:
- First place: Zachary L., Buena Vista Middle School
- Second place: Benjamin D., Darren Patterson Christian Academy
- Third place: Jordan D., Darren Patterson Christian Academy
The first-place winner of the local competition received a $500 cash prize and all three finalists are invited to participate in the statewide competition. The top three winners of the state competition will receive cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The state champion will have the opportunity to compete in the national competition, which includes $100,000 for the first place winner, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place.
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The Colorado Chamber Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation whose purpose is to support programs, research, educational opportunities and other initiatives that encourage and enhance a healthy business climate. The organization works collaboratively in partnership with state business leaders to advance Colorado’s economy and local communities through forward-thinking solutions.
The Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the business community. An accomplished Board of Directors guides the organization, with efforts carried out by a dedicated staff. BVCC is beginning to have member-driven committees that help to guide the Chamber’s goals and efforts.