COLUMBUS, Ohio — Middle school students across 28 states are testing their knowledge in not a Spelling Bee, but a Civics Bee. 

Tuesday night was the Ohio State Competition of the 2024 National Civics Bee. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, and Spectrum News was the media partner.

What You Need To Know

• 12 state finalists competed in the Ohio National Civics Bee


• The event was put on by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce at Ohio State


• The first place winner will move on to compete for the national title in Washington D.C.

Twelve students went head-to-head in The Ohio Finals for the National Civics Bee.

Katarina England, 13, was one of the competitors. 

“I think it’s really exciting because I saw it as a challenge,” England said. 

Students — ranging from 6th to 8th grade — took on some tough topics. They answered questions about the constitution and even about federal, state and local issues.

England said she never had any interest in civics or government before this event. She signed up for a different reason.

“Money,” England said. “I was like ‘OK, let’s go get me some money for my college fund.” 

The top three winners take home cash prizes, but the event is so much more than a competition. President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Steve Stivers said it’s also about getting kids interested in civics and contributing to their communities. 

“I think it’s important to get kids engaged at the youngest age possible,” He said. “You know, Benjamin Franklin famously said, when someone asked him, ‘what form of government we had,' he said, ‘a republic if we can keep it.' Our Republic only works when citizens get involved and engaged. And so, we’re working to try to inspire kids to care about that at the youngest age possible.”

For England, civics is a newfound passion of hers, but sounds like she has other plans at the moment.

“Well, it’s really weird,” she said, “because I have my entire life planned out. I want to be an engineer, like go to the military and get a pension and then be an engineer for a while and do something good for the better of all people.”

England ended up placing second. Destiny Nshimiye placed third and Aarit Koul won first. 

Koul will go on to compete for the national title on Nov. 12 in Washington D.C.