By Amy Farnum-Patronis, FSU News
Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) will host the 2026 Florida Statewide Finals of the National Civics Bee® at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center. The event will bring together middle school students from across Florida who advanced through regional competitions to compete in a live, quiz-style civics championship.
Presented in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and chambers of commerce across Florida, with Kinder Morgan serving as the presenting sponsor, the nonpartisan competition encourages students in grades 6-8 to deepen their understanding of American government, civic responsibility and community engagement.
The Florida winner will earn a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Civics Bee® championship this fall, where students will compete for national honors and a first-place 529 education award of $100,000.
This year’s statewide finals will feature an interactive audience experience, remarks on the importance of civic education, and a distinguished lineup of event leaders and judges.
The emcee is Mark Harrison, the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year and economics and government teacher at Union County High School / Lake Butler
The Keynote Speaker is Ryan Owens, Director of the IGC, who will talk on the vital role of civic education in shaping future leaders.
The judges include: Allen Fore, VP for Public Affairs at Kinder Morgan, Inc., The Honorable Nina Ashenafi-Richardson, Leon County Judge, 2nd Judicial Court, Barney Bishop, President & CEO of Barney Bishop Consulting, LLC, Sherry Lawrance, Deerlake Middle School Civics Teacher and FSU Alumna, and DeVoe Moore, Entrepreneur.
“The National Civics Bee gives students a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their understanding of government, think clearly about their communities and see themselves as active participants in civic life,” said Ryan Owens, director of the IGC. “We’re proud to welcome these outstanding students to Tallahassee and celebrate the curiosity, leadership and civic responsibility they represent.”
The event is free and open to the public, and community members are invited to attend as spectators, participate in the live audience experience and cheer on students as they demonstrate their knowledge of civics and their commitment to public life.
The statewide finals reflect the IGC’s broader mission to strengthen civic knowledge and prepare the next generation of engaged citizens and responsible leaders. At a time when civic understanding matters as much as ever, the National Civics Bee® offers students a meaningful opportunity to learn, lead and contribute to their communities.
For more information about the Florida Statewide Civics Bee, visit igc.fsu.edu.
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