Overland Park, Kan., April 22, 2026 – Congratulations to the middle school students who participated in the 3rd annual National Civics Bee® in Northeast Kansas, sponsored by The Shipley-Westbrook Trust!

A special shoutout to our top three winners:

• 1st place: Emeline W. – Shawnee Mission School District
• 2nd place: Noah P. – Shawnee Mission School District
• 3rd place: Caspian K. – Olathe Public Schools

Twenty finalists from across northeast Kansas competed live on April 21 at Johnson County Community College, after submitting essays with ideas to solve real community challenges. We're proud to celebrate these students for their civic knowledge, hard work and commitment to making a difference.

The National Civics Bee® is a nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families and communities.

The regional Northeast Kansas competition was presented by the Overland Park Chamber Foundation in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, with support from David Westbrook, Johnson County Community College and Health Forward Foundation.

The top three winners earned cash prizes and will advance to the state competition this summer in Wichita. The state champion will move on to the national championship in Washington, D.C., this fall, where the grand prize includes a $100,000 education savings plan contribution.

The essay portal for the 2027 National Civics Bee® in Northeast Kansas opens later this fall.