Third Time’s the Charm: Meet the 2025 National Civics Bee Champion

Alicia Sondberg
Associate Manager, Digital Marketing and Communications

Published

February 04, 2026

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Americans across the country are revisiting a timeless question: what does it mean to participate in civic life today?

For Aarit Koul, a ninth grader from Jackson Township, Ohio, the answer was clear: lead with knowledge, speak with purpose, and use your voice to improve your community.

In 2025, Aarit became the National Civics Bee^® champion, earning the Bill Daniels National Civics Award and a $100,000 education savings prize for his thoughtful proposal on expanding access to health care through collaboration across all levels of government. It was his third time competing in the Bee, and his final-round presentation showcased not just deep civic knowledge, but years of growth and commitment.

Apply for the 2026 National Civics Bee

Students in grades 6-8 have until Feb. 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. HST for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes.

Application Portal

“Without participation, there would be no republic. There would be no democracy,” Aarit said following his win.

His message echoed far beyond the Great Hall of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where the championship was held and broadcast live on C-SPAN. In a year when young people are stepping forward in record numbers to serve their communities and shape the civic conversation, Aarit’s journey embodied what the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s work aims to achieve: informed, engaged citizens who see themselves as part of something bigger.

The National Civics Bee is just one pillar of The Civic Trust^®, the Foundation's nonpartisan educational initiative dedicated to strengthening civic knowledge across schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Through programs like Civics@Work—which includes the Civics Academy, an 8-week online course that helps employees deepen their understanding of democratic institutions; Civic Time Off, which encourages workers to serve as poll workers; and the Juror Education Project, which promotes the importance of jury service—The Civic Trust is meeting Americans where they are. These efforts build on a critical need: while 74% of Americans believe they can explain how government works, 58% fail a basic civics test.

By investing in civic education at every stage of life, The Civic Trust is working to close that gap and ensure that civic participation isn't just an ideal, but a lived reality for all Americans. Aarit’s win underscores what strong civics education can do: help young people develop the skills to lead, listen, and contribute to a stronger, more united nation.