Minot Student Will Compete in National Civics Bee
An eighth grader from Our Redeemer's Christian School will represent North Dakota this month on a national stage.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Chilaka Ugobi, an eighth grader from Our Redeemer's Christian School in Minot, will represent North Dakota at the upcoming National Civics Bee. The competition, which features student representatives from all 50 states and two territories, is set for October 14, 2026.
Why it matters
The National Civics Bee aims to boost student confidence and encourage active community participation through academic engagement. By competing on a national stage, students like Ugobi gain opportunities to advocate for important societal issues, such as his focus on adult mental health accessibility.
The event features 52 students representing all 50 states, D.C., and American Samoa. The grand prize is a $100,000 education savings plan.
The players
Chilaka Ugobi
An eighth-grade student at Our Redeemer's Christian School who is the two-time defending North Dakota Spelling Bee champion.
Our Redeemer's Christian School
A Minot-based educational institution serving students through the middle school level.
The details
The competition requires student finalists to present projects focusing on specific community topics. Ugobi will present his work centered on adult mental health accessibility. The event is designed to foster civic engagement among middle schoolers, drawing from a wide range of regional perspectives across the United States.
Timeline
Chilaka Ugobi competes in the National Civics Bee on October 14, 2026.
The National Civics Bee is televised on C-SPAN on October 14, 2026, at 7 pm Central Time.
The Home Front
The National Civics Bee serves as a prominent national platform for middle school students to demonstrate civic literacy. It reflects a broader educational trend of incentivizing youth involvement in public policy through significant academic competitions.
Families in Minot can support Ugobi by tuning in to the national broadcast scheduled for October 14. This event is a great opportunity for households to discuss the importance of civic participation and mental health accessibility with their own children.
The takeaway
Civic engagement competitions offer middle schoolers a unique venue to refine their communication skills and advocate for public issues. Parents can encourage similar growth at home by identifying community-focused research topics that align with their children's interests.
Further reading
Learn more about regional student achievement and local academic initiatives in Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.
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Do you believe civic education competitions effectively prepare the next generation to lead in your community?
