Bishop Seabury Wins Kansas Civics Games, $1,000 Each
Each member of the first-place team received $1,000 toward college-level courses or higher education costs.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Bishop Seabury Academy took first place in the 2026 Kansas Civics Games, a competition recognizing three winning teams on Thursday, October 29. Each member of the winning team received $1,000 toward college-level courses or higher education costs.
Why it matters
For Kansas families with students heading toward college, the competition shows a route to tuition help through civic-skills contests that are open to secondary students. The challenge focused on how communities respond to misinformation, a skill that carries into everyday life at home and online.
Seven teams of four students competed in Topeka, and each first-place team member received $1,000. Olathe East took second place and Fort Scott High School finished third.
The players
Bishop Seabury Academy
A Kansas private school whose four seniors won first place in the 2026 Kansas Civics Games.
Kansas Press Association
The statewide trade group that organized the Kansas Civics Games and supports local journalism across Kansas.
Sonja Czarnecki
A history teacher at Bishop Seabury Academy who sponsored the first-place team.
The details
Teams had one hour to respond to a fictional scenario in which an AI-generated video falsely showed a mayor announcing unsafe drinking water. Students built response plans that helped residents verify information, communicate accurate safety details quickly, and protect free speech. The Kansas Press Association organized the event, and Sonja Czarnecki, a Bishop Seabury history teacher, sponsored the winning team.
Timeline
Thursday, October 29, 2026: Three winning teams recognized at the Kansas Civics Games
Last week: Seven teams competed in Topeka
The Home Front
The Kansas Press Association organized the 2026 competition, which asked students to handle an AI-fabricated video in a community-safety scenario. The contest reflects a growing focus on verifying information before families act on it.
If your teen is in high school, ask their school whether it takes part in civics competitions or similar programs that offer education awards. Keep a running file of scholarships and prizes so you can track deadlines and paperwork.
The takeaway
Civics skills such as checking facts before acting on alarming claims are useful at home as well as in competition. Talk with your student about how to verify a video or message before sharing it with family.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education for other ways Kansas students are building skills and funding their next steps.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LJWorld.
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