Students from across the Fredericksburg region showcased their civic knowledge and critical thinking skills at the region’s first-ever Civics Bee, bringing together participants from Fredericksburg City Schools, Stafford County Public Schools, Spotsylvania County Public Schools, and local homeschool groups.
The competition featured two live quiz rounds completed on iPads, followed by a final round where the top five students answered questions from judges based on their original essays addressing real-world issues.
The top five finalists included Colin Spiege, Elliott Brant, Gabriella Jones, Mikaela Hughes, and Benjamin Lahousse. Colin Spiege earned first place for his work on recycling, followed by Elliott Brant in second place for his essay on AI data centers in Virginia, and Gabriella Jones in third place for her essay on homelessness in the community.
The event was judged by a panel of respected community leaders, including Chip Boyles of The George Washington Regional Commission, Al Fagan of The Oberle Academy, Anedra Henley-Logan of Guideline Innovative Solutions, Tracy McPeck of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, and Christina Parrish of Parrish Law.
As the first Civics Bee held in the region, the event highlighted the importance of civic education and provided students with an opportunity to engage deeply with issues impacting their communities while developing confidence in public speaking and problem-solving.
Winners of the Fredericksburg Region Civics Bee
The five finalist from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Civics Bee
Judges panel