Students Advance to State Competition After Showcasing Civic Knowledge at Vista’s First Regional Civ

Vista, CA — The Vista Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its first-ever regional competition for the National Civics Bee on Saturday, March 21 at the AVO Playhouse in Downtown Vista. Organized in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the event brought together middle school students from across the region to demonstrate their knowledge of civics and their commitment to making a difference in their communities.

The competition began with two rounds of civics questions, where students showcased the knowledge they prepared for in advance. The top five finalists then advanced to the final round, where they presented a community issue they have personally observed and shared thoughtful solutions to address it. Judges followed each presentation with questions, allowing students to further demonstrate their understanding and passion for their identified issue. Students presented about topics such as teen mental health, littering, pedestrian safety, e-bike safety, and food waste.
Competition judges were Jeffrey Fox, Vista City Councilmember; Denisse Barragan of Fix Auto Vista; and Zeke Corley of Your Insurance Place.

The student participants were:
• Siddhartha C. (8th Grade, Thurgood Marshall Middle School) – 1st Place
• Madilyn C. (8th Grade, Guajome Park Academy) – 2nd Place
• Linnea S. (8th Grade, Pacific Ridge School) – 3rd Place
• Caleb P. (8th Grade, Calavera Hills Middle School)
• Janeth G. (8th Grade, Calavera Hills Middle School)
• Liam M. (8th Grade, Calavera Hills Middle School)
• Michael C. (8th Grade, Calavera Hills Middle School)
• Skylar B. (6th Grade, Tri-City Christian School)

All participants were recognized for their achievements and received certificates from the City of Vista and the office of Assemblymember Laurie Davies, along with the tablets used during the competition. The top three winners also received trophies and cash prizes of $500, $250, and $125, respectively.

The first-, second-, and third-place winners will go on to represent the region at the State Civics Bee Competition this June in Simi Valley. From there, top state finalists will advance to the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. later this year.

“The Civics Bee is about empowering young people to understand their role in shaping the future of their communities,” said Rachel Beld, CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce. “These students demonstrated not only an impressive understanding of civics, but also a genuine passion for creating positive change. We are incredibly proud to support and celebrate the next generation of civic leaders.”

The Vista Chamber of Commerce remains committed to supporting programs that inspire leadership, critical thinking, and civic engagement among local youth, empowering the next generation to become informed and active members of their communities.

For more information about the event or to view photos, visit vistachamber.org/civics-bee.