Salina middle school students to compete in Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee

Salina Post

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), a Wichita-based nonprofit, is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and five chambers of commerce across Kansas to host a statewide civics competition on Saturday, June 27 at the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) in downtown Wichita (325 E Douglas Ave).

The Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee will feature middle school student finalists from five local competitions hosted by participating chambers in Hutchinson, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Salina and Wichita.

Three of the 15 finalists are from Salina – two students go to Salina South Middle School, and one attends Lakewood Middle School.

Those students include:

- Colin Burke (Salina South Middle School)

- Zaida Correa-Vasquez (Salina South Middle School)

- Gabe Rocha (Lakewood Middle School)

Finalists of the 2026 Regional National Civics Bee, hosted by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce on April: <b>Zaida Correa-Vasquez, 2nd place </b>(Pictured left: Salina South Middle School) \<b> Colin Burke, 1st place</b> (Pictured middle: Salina South Middle School) \ <b>Gabe Rocha, 3rd place</b> (Pictured right: Lakewood Middle School) - Photo, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce — Finalists of the 2026 Regional National Civics Bee, hosted by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce on April: **Zaida Correa-Vasquez, 2nd place** (Pictured left: Salina South Middle School) \ **Colin Burke, 1st place** (Pictured middle: Salina South Middle School) \ **Gabe Rocha, 3rd place** (Pictured right: Lakewood Middle School) - Photo, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

All finalists will share their ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics. The winner will receive a cash prize and represent Kansas at the national championship in Washington, D.C., this fall.

“We are proud to host the National Civics Bee Kansas state finals for a third year. We believe that informed and active citizens make for more innovative and connected communities, which means a strong democracy, a strong economy and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Civics Bee, the Kansas Leadership Center fosters greater civic knowledge throughout Kansas and celebrates our civic pride,” said Kaye Monk-Morgan, president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center.

The Kansas State Finals are sponsored by Evergy and will feature opening remarks from Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Jake Steel and a keynote from Tanya Ramesh, the 2025 Kansas State Champion.

Kansas State Finals Agenda for June 27

2:30 p.m. – Doors open.

3 p.m. – Welcome from Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan; opening remarks from Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Jake Steel; student introductions.

3:15 p.m. – Preliminary competition rounds.

3:45 p.m. – Keynote remarks from Tanya Ramesh, 2025 Kansas State Champion.

4 p.m. – Final round presentations.

5 p.m. – Awards presentation and reception.

The public is invited to attend the Kansas State Finals for free. Registration is encouraged and click here to do so.