Students from Gilbert Public Schools and the Queen Creek Unified School District were the top winners at the recent 2025 National Civics Bee in Queen Creek hosted by the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.

Logan G. from Highland Junior High came in first place with Eastmark High School students Annamay B. and Peyton J. winning second and third place respectively.

Highland Junior High is part of GPS and Eastmark High is part of QCUSD. All three schools are located in Mesa.

The National Civics Bee in Queen Creek took place on March 28 at the Combs Performing Arts Center in San Tan Valley. This is the second year the Queen Creek chamber has hosted the event, which was open to students from across the East Valley.

"The National Civics Bee is an invaluable opportunity for our young people to deepen their understanding of civic responsibilities and to inspire them to contribute positively within their communities,” stated Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, in a press release “We are proud to host this competition for the second year and to support the development of future leaders who will uphold the values and principles that are foundational to our democracy."

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The event was organized in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“We are facing a civics crisis in America. Surveys show that 70% of adults cannot pass a basic civics quiz, and 79% of eighth graders fall below proficiency in civics. This threatens the strength, prosperity and resilience of our nation,” stated Hilary Crow, vice president, civics, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in the release. “The National Civics Bee is dedicated to enhancing civics knowledge, skills and disposition among young people and adults alike, inspiring the next generation to make a positive impact in their communities.”

East Valley students interested in taking part in the competition were asked to send in essays which were reviewed by a panel of judges. The top 19 finalists from the essay portion of the competition participated in the live local finals. The finals featured two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A to test civics knowledge.

The students’ answers were judged by Queen Creek Town Council Member Bryan McClure, Angela Askey of Central Arizona College and Sarah Nieto of the Queen Creek Independent.

The first-place winner received a $500 cash prize and will advance to the state competition along with the other two finalists

The top state winners will receive various prizes, with the first-place winner earning $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national championship this fall. Prizes at the national championship include a grand prize of a $100,000 529 plan for first place, $25,000 for second place and $15,000 for third place.

The state finals will be hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, May 2 at ASU’s Thunderbird Global School of Management.