Emily Brubaker, a middle school student from Alaska, has emerged as the winner of the 2024 National Civics Bee®, a competition designed to inspire young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Competing against 27 finalists from across the country, Emily demonstrated exceptional civic knowledge and critical thinking skills in the national championship held in Washington, D.C.
In addition to being crowned the first National Civics Bee champion, Emily received the prestigious Bill Daniels National Civics Award and a $100,000 529 plan for her future educational endeavors. “These students are showing us how civic engagement can lead to innovative solutions and effective leadership,” said Michael Carney, president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation.
The competition began with over 8,000 middle school students from 28 states, who advanced through essay rounds and live quiz challenges to secure their spot in the national final. The event featured team challenges, presentations, and real-world problem-solving exercises, with the top five contestants facing off in a buzzer challenge. Emily outperformed her peers with her insightful answers and poised delivery, taking first place, while Michael O’Mara and Keith Lee earned second and third, respectively.