The Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Chamber, in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, today announced Isabelle S., an eighth-grader from Centennial Junior, as the winner of the 2026 National Civics Bee® Utah State Finals. Isabelle S. will represent Utah at the National Civics Bee® National Championship in Washington, D.C. Finn J. of Lava Ridge Intermediate took second place, and Miles S. of Mountain Creek Middle took third.
The State Finals, held this afternoon at the Vieve Gore Concert Hall at Westminster University, brought together middle school finalists from regional competitions hosted earlier this year by Weber State University (April 14) and the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce (May 14). The top finalists from each local competition advanced to the State Finals, where they tested their civics knowledge in a live quiz format and discussed the community-improvement ideas they first proposed in essay form during the application round.
“It’s easy these days to focus on what’s wrong with American civic life. The challenges are real, and they deserve our attention. But every June, a roomful of Utah middle schoolers remind all of us that the future of self-government is in better hands than the headlines suggest,” said Derek Miller, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Chamber. “These students are not waiting until adulthood to participate in public life. They are already studying how government works, identifying challenges in their neighborhoods and proposing thoughtful solutions. A strong economy needs strong communities, and strong communities need engaged citizens. Today’s finalists give us every reason to be optimistic about Utah’s future.”
Through the nonpartisan competition, middle schoolers strengthen their civics knowledge, sharpen their writing and public speaking skills and practice the kind of respectful, constructive engagement that strong communities depend on. The judges for this year’s competition were: Michael Delzotti, President & COO, Huntsman Cancer Foundation; Dr. Molly Hart, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Utah State Board of Education; and David Witt, M.P.A., Dignity Initiative Research Program Associate, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and Dignity.us
“Each year, the National Civics Bee reminds us how much promise and talent exists in communities across the country. Students step up with thoughtful solutions, bold ideas and a willingness to participate — exactly the qualities our democracy and workforce need. 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,” said Hilary Crow, Vice President, Civics, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
The first-place winner received a $1,000 cash prize and a $2,000 my529 certificate and earned 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 national runner-up will receive $25,000 and the third-place national finalist will receive $15,000.
The Salt Lake Chamber and Utah Chamber host the National Civics Bee® Utah State Finals because informed and engaged citizens are essential to a healthy democracy, a thriving economy and vibrant communities. By encouraging young people to understand government, solve local challenges and participate in their communities, the program helps build the next generation of Utah leaders.
Sponsors of the National Civics Bee® Utah State Finals included Westminster University (Venue Sponsor) and Google Fiber (Tech Sponsor). To view the full list of sponsors or to learn more about the National Civics Bee Utah State Finals, click here.
