Young Leaders Shine at Southwest Washington’s National Civics Bee

YOUNG LEADERS SHINE AT SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON'S NATIONAL CIVICS BEE

A Shahala Middle School student claimed first place in the competition, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber on April 26.

VANCOUVER, Wash.  — Seventeen talented middle school students recently competed for the title of Southwest Washington's Civics Bee Champion during the state qualifying round, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Washington Trust Bank. 

Held on April 26 at Vancouver’s historic Kiggins Theatre, the high-energy event showcased finalists representing Battle Ground, Camas, Evergreen, Hockinson, and Vancouver school districts, along with homeschool and private school programs. After an intense competition, Shreya Andey of Shahala Middle School emerged with the first place, earning the title of Southwest Washington Civics Bee Champion and a $500 cash prize. 

Modeled after traditional academic bees, the competition challenged students with a wide range of questions on U.S. government, history, politics, and constitutional law. Audience members joined the excitement through an interactive, real-time trivia game from their smartphones, creating an engaging experience for all. 

Following the first two 10-question rounds, the top five scorers advanced to a live interview segment, presenting their community improvement essays and answering questions from a distinguished panel of judges: Dr. Christine Moloney, Superintendent of Evergreen School District; Dr. John Anzalone, Superintendent of Camas School District; and Denny Waters, Superintendent of Battle Ground School District. Students addressed real-world issues such as pollution prevention, railroad safety, access to educational resources, and responsible gambling, demonstrating impressive critical thinking and leadership. 

Rye Dilley of Tukes Valley Middle School captured second place, winning a $250 prize, and Calista Christiansen earned third, receiving $125. 

“This is an amazing event! It gets kids excited about being part of their communities, the things they can do, and the power they have to make things better—not just for themselves, but for their families and communities,” said Dr. Christine Moloney. 

Next Stop: Statewide Competition in Olympia 

The top three Southwest Washington finalists will advance to the Washington State Civics Bee Finals, presented by the Association of Washington Business, on June 21 at Olympia High School. The state champion will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship this fall. Learn more at https://www.awbinstitute.org/project/national-civics-bee/.  

Investing in Future Leaders 

The National Civics Bee reflects the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s commitment to building informed, engaged citizens who will strengthen our economy and workforce. 

“For the Chamber, it’s important to ensure that our future workforce is prepared to think critically, solve problems, and lead,” said Janet Kenefsky, chief operating officer for the Chamber. “With 70% of Americans unable to pass a civic literacy test, the need for informed, engaged citizens is clear. They are essential to the strength of our country, the stability of our economy, and the success of our business community.” 

“Everything we do at the Chamber is focused on supporting business growth,” Kenefsky added. “When we invest in young people today, we’re helping build the entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow.” 

The 2025 National Civics Bee in Southwest Washington was presented by Washington Trust Bank, with additional support from Restoration 1 of Vancouver, Greenhaven Landscapes, and The Columbian. 

For more information about the National Civics Bee, visit VancouverUSA.com/nationalcivicsbee. Business leaders interested in sponsoring the 2026 event can contact the Chamber at YourChamber@VancouverUSA.com.