Submitted Photo Minot students stand with North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe at the National Civics Bee North Dakota state finals. From left are Elsa Brown, third place; Emily Grotte, second place; Howe; and Chilaka Ugobi, first place.

BISMARCK – Chilaka Ugobi, finished as champion in the 2026 National Civics Bee North Dakota State Finals held this past week in Bismarck, according to the Greater North Dakota Chamber, which hosted the contest.

As an eighth grader at Our Redeemer’s Middle School, Ugobi won the competition in Minot in April and joined nine other top finishers to advance to the state competition.

Second place at the state event went to Emily Grotte, who was a seventh grader at Central Middle School in Minot this past year. Third place went to Elsa Brown, who also was a seventh grader at Central.

Middle School student finalists advanced to the North Dakota State Finals after competing in local chamber competitions across the state. The event featured two rounds of civics-based questions, followed by a live question and answer round in which students presented thoughtful, original solutions to real-world community issues.

“It feels nervously exciting to represent North Dakota; what a privilege to have this opportunity,” Ugobi said. “I’m proud to engage in civics and hope others are investing time for the betterment of their community.”

The focus of his essay and presentation was on access to adult mental health services. Grotte’s and Brown’s essays were, respectively, themed on conservation and the foster care system.

Finalists received cash prizes, with $1,000 awarded to the first-place winner. As North Dakota’s champion, Ugobi will advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C. Prizes at the national competition include a $100,000 529 college savings plan for first place, $25,000 for second, and $15,000 for third.

The National Civics Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. GNDC organized the competition in partnership with The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

“Strong communities and strong economies both depend on engaged citizens who understand how government works and how they can make a difference. At a time when civic knowledge is declining across the country, programs like the National Civics Bee help equip the next generation with the skills, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to lead. Today’s finalists demonstrated that North Dakota’s future is in capable hands, and we’re proud to celebrate their commitment to strengthening their communities,” said Arik Spencer, president and CEO of the GNDC.

Judges for the state competition were Chad Calvert, senior director of State Government Affairs, Chevron; Kayla Pulvermacher, Government Relations manager, Midco; and Ryan Taylor, director of Public Policy, Ducks Unlimited and former North Dakota state senator.

This marks North Dakota’s second year participating in the National Civics Bee program. Ugobi had finished second in last year’s competition, with first place going to Clara Zheng of Erik Ramstad Middle School, Minot.