Twenty middle school students from across western North Dakota showed their skills at Minot State University to see who would move on to the state competition, and ultimately nationals.

First place went to Clara Zheng from Erik Ramstad Middle School in Minot. Second place went to Ayden Helman from Central Middle School, and third place went to MacKayla Crosland from Williston Middle School Central Campus in Williston.

Others in the top 10 were: Madilyn Andreas, Our Redeemers Christian School, Minot; Victor Carminati and Kesli LeBaron, both Williston Middle School Central Campus; Ava Hill, Kearny Logan and Grady Mostad, all Central Middle School, Minot; and Everett Spear, Drake Anamoose.

The top 10 advance to the state level to compete against each other again in a three-round event similar to Minot’s local competition on July 11 in Bismarck. The state champion will advance to the national championship in Washington D.C., where the top award is a $100,000 529 Plan.

Mark Lyman with Minot Area Chamber EDC, left, poses civic questions to middle school competitors in the local National Civics Bee event April 11 in Minot State University’s Aleshire Theater.

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. This competition’s goal is to inspire students to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community and to build greater trust in others and institutions, according to MACEDC.

Middle school students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades from public, private and home schools across the state were invited to take part in the first-round civics essay competition. Students submitted a 750-word essay on their ideas for improving their communities. Submissions for the first round were collected over late 2024 and early 2025. A panel of judges reviewed the essays, and the top 20 students were selected to advance to the in-person, live event that included two rounds of civics questions, followed by a question and answer round featuring judges MACEDC President/CEO Brekka Kramer, Ward County Commissioner Jason Olson and Minot City Council President Lisa Olson.

An online link was made available so the audience could play along and test their own civics wisdom.

“It’s encouraging to see so many thoughtful young people finding new ways that they can positively impact their friends and neighbors,” said Jason Olson, also a MACEDC board member, in a MACEDC news release. “Sometimes we need to take a step back and explore other points of view when it comes to problem solving, and seeing these middle schoolers getting involved and providing different perspectives is a great way to think outside the box while supporting them as the future of our communities.”

“We’re incredibly excited about the opportunities for growth of the National Civics Bee in the Minot area,” said MACEDC Board Chair Ryan Ackerman in the release. “As the only location in North Dakota to hold a local competition, it’s clear that our youth have ideas and passion for their communities. I’m excited to see how it continues to grow, and I’m grateful for the hard work the Minot Area Chamber EDC team has put into making such a great event possible in our region.”