A Barr Middle School student from Grand Island won the first National Civics Bee Nebraska State Finals on June 23, earning a trip to the 2026 National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C., in October, and a $1,000 prize.
Mya Bernal was among the 17 Nebraska State Finals qualifiers competing in the first state finals hosted by the Nebraska Chamber Foundation (nechamber.com) at Innovation Campus. Her final round pitch presentation was on the closing of the Tyson beef plant in January and the industry’s impact on the community and state.
The National Civics Bee is 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.
Sixth, 7th and 8th grade students from participating Nebraska public, private, charter and home schools began the competition in January by submitting essays, followed by Nebraska Regional Competitions. The top students from each Regional Competition advanced to the State Finals. The live event featured two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round of fi ve fi nalists pitching their proposals for improving their communities.
Mya will compete in the National Championship in October 2026, where the winner receives a grand prize of a $100,000 contribution to a 529 plan.
For more information on the National Civics Bee, visit: civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.