McKendree University Hosts National Civics Bee Local Contest March 13

by Tina Napper

Lebanon, IL (03/14/2025) — McKendree University, in conjunction with the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, played host to the 2025 National Civics Bee on Thursday, March 13 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. This event was designed to inspire middle school students to engage in civics and become informed community members. The community was encouraged to join the audience at the event and cheer on the students as they took to the stage to demonstrate their civic knowledge.

Students from Edward Fulton Junior High School in O'Fallon, Ill.; Amelia Carriel Junior High School in O'Fallon, Ill.; and Shiloh Middle School in Shiloh, Ill., competed in a live quiz event, testing their understanding of civics and problem-solving skills. Nathan Klitzing, CEO and principal wealth advisor at Cambridge Capital Management and board chair of the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, was the guest speaker for the event.

The winners of the 2025 O'Fallon-Shiloh National Civics Bee include the following:

First place: Rylee C., seventh grade, Edward Fulton Junior High

Second place: Lucas K., seventh grade, Edward Fulton Junior High

Third place: Kate A., seventh grade, Edward Fulton Junior High

These winners received trophies and cash prizes and will advance to the state competition in July, where they will compete against finalists from four other Illinois Chambers.

The journey to the competition began in December with 448 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades from area schools who submitted essays about a problem in their community and how they would address it. After the essays were carefully reviewed, the top 20 students were chosen as finalists to participate in the Civics Bee.

This year's participants included the following students:

Amelia Carriel Junior High: Grade 7: Aribella K. and Emma. M.

Edward Fulton Junior High: Grade 7: Aniyah S., Aubrey T., Charlotte C., Ella E., Emily E., Gemma P., Jake C., Jaxon S., Kate A., London S., Lucas K., Lucas R., Rylee C., and Timothy S.

Shiloh Middle School: Grade 6: Elliott C., Emma F., and Natalie R.

"A big thanks to everyone who helped make this event happen," said Debbie Arell-Martinez, Chamber president and CEO. "It was amazing to see so many people want to be part of it. We're so proud of our students and can't wait to see them grow into active, engaged citizens!"

For more information, please visit nationalcivicsbee.org or the O'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce's website.