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National Civics Bee ® (NCB) is an initiative by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is a civics knowledge competition for middle school students (6th, 7th, & 8th graders). Its mission is to educate children (middle school student participants) and adults (parents, the audience) on how our democracy works and their role and responsibilities as citizens.
New Mexico National Civics Bee 2025-26 Timeline and Competition Structure:
Participation: Any 6-8th grade student in New Mexico is welcome and encouraged to participate.
Essay: Students respond to a 3-question essay prompt proposing an idea to improve their communities. The Online Essay Portal is open now and essays are Due Tuesday February 3, 2026.
Essay Prompts:
Identify a specific problem, challenge, or opportunity in your community.
What can you do to contribute to its improvement?
What individuals or organizations would you work with to accomplish your solution?
25-26 NCB Online Essay Application Portal (Students create an account on the portal and type their essay directly into the portal, then "Submit" it. They are able to save their work and return to the portal as many times as necessary.) *Formal Citations are not required.
Advancement to local In-Person NCB competitions in NM: Judges across the nation will review essays and select twenty (20) finalists to advance to each of the local NCB Competitions.
"Local" NCB Competitions will take place.
Students will compete at the local competition and the top 5 from each local competition will be invited to the state finals.
NM State NCB Finals will take place.
NCB National Championship: One finalist from New Mexico will be crowned and represent NM at the NCB National Competition in November 2026 in Washington, DC.
The New Mexico State National Civics Bee Finals was held on Saturday June 7, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the University of New Mexico SUB Ballroom A. The event was hosted by the NM Chamber of Commerce and the Albuquerque Public Schools.
12:00 - 12:50: Arrival, Check-In, & Reception with hors d'oeuvres, water, soda, & coffee
1:00 - 3:00 PM: NM State Finals National Civics Bee Competition
3:00 - 3:30: Pack Up & Clean Up
NM State Finals NCB Finalists Listed In Order of Finish and Essay Topic:
Keith Lee, Albuquerque Academy MS--Education in NM
Sheryl Lee, Albuquerque Academy MS--Road Safety Challenges in Albuquerque
Ben Tran, Houston MS--Hobbs, NM--Homelessness
Samara Gonzales, Carlsbad Preparatory Academy--Mental Health
Alyssa Rocha Houston, Houston MS--Juvenile Offenders
Victoria Miller, Koogler MS--Aztec, NM--Civil Engagement
Anaya Faruk, Salam Academy--Albuquerque--Accessibility & Religion
Sasha Jimenez, Carlsbad Preparatory Academy--Waste & Littering
Miriam Yehl, Intermediate Prep Academy, NMMI--Roswell, NM--Foster Care
Izabella Baker, Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts--Albuquerque--Domestic Abuse (Qualified but wasn't able to attend.)
Emcee Rob Leming Welcome
Guest Speaker Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
Students Competing In Rounds 1 & 2
Alyssa Rocha Houston Presenting
Ben Tran Presenting
Samara Gonzales Presenting
Keith Lee Presenting
Judges: SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bern Co Clerk Michelle Kavanaugh, VP of Public Policy Alison Riley
Student Finalists, Judges, & Organizers
Organizer Benton Spradlin presenting to
Alyssa Rocha Houston-5th Place
Samara Gonzales-4th Place
Ben Tran-3rd Place
Sheryl Lee-2nd Place
Keith Lee-1st Place
Top 3 Finalists
Dignitaries & Legislators Who Attended on 6/7/25:
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, NM Secretary of State, Guest Speaker & Judge
Michelle Kavanaugh, Bernalillo County Clerk, Judge
Janelle Anyanonu, NM State District 19 Representative
Pamelya Herndon, NM State District 28 Representative
Natalie Figeroa, NM State Senator
Huge Appreciation to NM National Civics Bee Sponsors
Comcast: Presenting Sponsor, $3000
NM Oil & Gas Association (NMOGA): Impact, $2500
Albertsons Market Place: Impact, $2000
NM Veterans Memorial Foundation: Future Leader, $1500
Nusenda Credit Union: Community, $1000
University of New Mexico: Future Leader, In-Kind Contributions totaling $1815
NCB-NM State Finalist Confirmation Packet.pdfAll NM State Finalists Need to sign this and return it to bspradlin@nmchamber.org by midnight on 5/26/25
NCB-NM State Competition Rules.docxNCB-NM State Competition Rules.
All Finalists please read carefully.
2025 Finalist-STUDY GUIDE.pdfLocal & State Finals Study Guide.
All Finalists please study carefully.
NCB-NM State 2025 Code of Conduct.pdfNCB-NM State Privacy Policy.pdfKeith Lee of Albuquerque Represented New Mexico Well in 2024 National Civics Bee
On November 12, 2024, New Mexico 8th grader Keith Lee won 3rd place at the National Civics Bee National Championship in Washington, DC. Keith impressed judges with both his civics knowledge and his presentation on the environmental and social benefits of both personal and community gardening. With this he won $15,000 along with additional prizes and recognition.
Questions?
Questions?
Contact Benton Spradlin with the NM Chamber of Commerce bspradlin@nmchamber.org or Julie Ornelas ornelas@aps.edu with the Albuquerque Public Schools for more information.
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