The JAX Chamber recently hosted the 2025 National Civics Bee at the University of North Florida, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
Anne Zacharia from Julian Landon College Preparatory School, Dakota Barrows from San Jose Cecil Early College and Lilianna Stefano from Highlands Middle School were named the top three finalists of the National Civics Bee, organized in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Kids Hope Alliance, and the University of North Florida. All three will advance to the state finals at Florida State University next month.
After a distinguished panel of judges reviewed the essays, the top essay finalists from the first-round civics essay competition were selected to advance to their local competition. Nine local finalists participated in the Jacksonville local competition Tuesday at UNF: an in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions. Five followed by a Question-and-Answer round to test their civics knowledge.
Zacharia took first place and a $500 cash prize. Barrows earned second place and a $250 prize, while Stefano finished with third place and a $125 prize.
The judges for this year’s competition were Dr. Saralyn Grass, Chief Executive Officer of the Kids Hope Alliance; Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, President of Jacksonville Public Education Fund; and Mike Zaffaroni, Owner & President of Liberty Landscape Supply and Chair of the JAX Chamber Government Affairs Committee.
The top three finalists impressed the judges with their knowledge of their essay topics – including revitalizing downtown, changing school funding formulas, reducing speeding on local roads.
Florida State University will host the National Civics Bee Florida State Finals on May 31st at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Conference Center.
The top state winners will receive various prizes, and the first-place winner of the State Finals will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship this fall. Prizes at the National Championship include a grand prize of a $100,000 529 plan for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place. For more information on the National Civics Bee, visit: https://jaxchamber.com/ncbjax/.
