Three students from Salina emerged on top at the 2026 National  Civics Bee at Kansas State University Salina.

According to the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, his Saturday the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce hosted theThe National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at  encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee is an annual nonpartisan civics competition for middle schoolers that increases civic knowledge, skills, and  disposition among young Americans, their families, and communities. 

Students across the country submitted essays on issues in their communities, which were then  reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges. Top students from north central Kansas were selected to  compete in the Salina Area Chamber’s Regional Competition; an in-person, live event featuring two  rounds of civics quiz questions followed by a Q&A in which students discussed their proposals for  improving their communities. Finalists were:  

• 1st Place: Colin Burke from Salina South Middle School  
• 2nd Place: Zaida Correa-Vasquez from Salina South Middle School 
• 3rd Place: Gabe Rocha from Lakewood Middle School  

The first-place winner received a $500 cash prize, second place received $250, and third place  received $125.

All three will now advance to the state competition hosted by the Kansas  Leadership Center, along with alternates Reagan Cheeks from Salina South and Ian Hall from  Lakewood, in fourth and fifth place respectively. 

The top state winners will receive various prizes, up to $1,000. The state’s first-place winner will earn  a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship in the Fall of 2026, where they  can win a grand prize of a $100,000 contribution to a 529 plan. The second-place finalist will receive  $25,000, and the third-place National finalist will receive$15,000.

“Each year, the National Civics Bee reminds us how much promise and talent exists in our  communities in Kansas. Students step up with thoughtful solutions, bold ideas, and a willingness to  participate—exactly the qualities our democracy and workforce need,” said Renee Duxler, president  and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber, “We’re proud to support a program that strengthens civic knowledge and skills for all young people and helps build the foundation for a stronger future.”  

The judges for this year’s competition were: Rodney Denholm, Family Resource Management  Extension Agent with KSU Research and Extension, Chloe Hawkins, Assistant Public Defender from  the Salina Regional Public Defender Office, and Jacob Wood, City Manager for Salina. The top three  finalists impressed the judges with their understanding of the community issue they wrote their essay  on, as well as their poise in presenting their topic.

The Kansas Leadership Center will host the National Civics Bee Kansas State Finals on Saturday,  June 27 in Wichita.

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For more information on the National Civics Bee visit: 

https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee 

Photos via Salina Area Chamber of Commerce