WILLIAMSBURG — Arianna McBride, an eighth-grade student at Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, earned third place in the 2025 National Civics Bee® Virginia State Finals, held June 7 at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
McBride was one of 14 middle school students from across the Commonwealth who advanced to the state competition after excelling in regional Civics Bee events this spring. She represented the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which hosted the local round.
The National Civics Bee® challenges middle schoolers to demonstrate their understanding of civic principles and community engagement. Competitors submit essays on local issues and propose solutions grounded in civic knowledge. At the state finals, students participated in two quiz rounds on the U.S. Constitution, presented their essay summaries, and answered questions from a panel of judges.
Neil Handa of Henley Middle School in Crozet took first place and will represent Virginia at the national competition in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 10–11. Second place went to Yousef Kiani from J. Lupton Simpson Middle School in Leesburg.
The Virginia State Finals were part of a growing initiative to increase civic literacy and engagement among students, supported by The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This year’s event also aligned with Virginia’s upcoming VA250 efforts—programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“This event exemplifies the spirit of VA250 – educating, engaging, and inspiring the next generation,” said Sen. Mamie Locke, vice chair of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.
Judges for the event included Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Cathie Vick and Rachel Williams, a civics educator with the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History and Civics. Kurt Smith, who portrays Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg, served as emcee.
