Indianapolis, Indiana – In a celebration of civic knowledge, public speaking, and community-minded leadership, the second annual Indiana Civics Bee took place this week at the Indiana Statehouse. Middle school students from across the state gathered in the heart of government to test their understanding of civics and present ideas to better their communities—demonstrating the kind of informed engagement that many adults could learn from.
Organized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education, the competition brought together sixth through eighth graders who advanced from earlier local rounds. The event was presented by Kinder Morgan and is part of the National Civics Bee program, an initiative of The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The aim is clear: to help young Americans grow into active, informed citizens who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The grand setting of the Indiana Statehouse provided an inspiring backdrop for the students, who participated in live quiz rounds and delivered speeches focused on issues affecting their towns, schools, and neighborhoods. As they stood before a panel of judges—composed of educators, civic leaders, and professionals—they demonstrated more than just knowledge. They showed passion, thoughtful analysis, and a desire to make a difference.
Among the day’s notable guests was Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who engaged with students by sharing his own story and offering advice on becoming active in civic life. “The importance of civic engagement can’t be overstated,” he told the students during his remarks. He also fielded questions from both students and their families, speaking candidly about his political journey, personal interests, and the work he’s doing in office.
But the true stars of the day were the students.
Barrett Hodorek, an eighth grader from Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw, earned first place and a $1,000 prize for his advocacy on environmental stewardship. His speech focused on the importance of keeping Indiana’s lakes clean, detailing the challenges communities face and proposing a thoughtful plan for broader-scale solutions. Hodorek’s performance not only impressed the judges but also earned him a spot at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., scheduled for November 10–11, where he’ll represent Indiana on a national stage.
Second place went to Olivia Warner from Woodside Middle School in Kendallville (Noble County). Warner took home $500 and demonstrated strong communication skills and deep insight into civic challenges during her speech and quiz participation.
Taytem Rivera of Hibberd Middle School in Richmond (Wayne County) was awarded third place and $250. Rivera, like the other top finishers, was an eighth grader when the journey began earlier this year, with preliminary contests hosted in partnership with local chambers of commerce across the state. These earlier events helped narrow down the talented pool of students who ultimately advanced to the Statehouse showdown.
The Indiana Civics Bee not only serves as a competition but also a platform for promoting the values of community service, democratic engagement, and the development of real-world skills. According to Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber, those lessons are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the future of Indiana.
“We’re so proud of the students who took part in the program and made the conscious effort to focus on civics and being involved in their communities,” she said during her remarks. “The thoughtful speeches we heard show a real desire to be impactful and service their hometowns and beyond.
“Activities like the Civics Bee afford students, at a pivotal age, opportunities to learn and build skills such as public speaking, problem-solving and collaboration, which will serve them well in their professional and personal lives. We look forward to further increasing student participation in 2026 and have set that as a goal.”
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education and one of the judges at this year’s Bee, also emphasized how civic literacy is becoming a more visible priority in the state’s education system.
“When we asked Hoosiers what matters most for every Indiana graduate, multiple characteristics, representing both knowledge and skills were elevated, including the importance of civic literacy,” she noted. “Civic literacy includes but goes much beyond taking a U.S. Government course – it includes utilizing what is learned in the classroom to become a positive contributor to one’s community, state and nation.”
She continued, “We have proactively increased civics education in Indiana by implementing a civics course in sixth grade, emphasizing civic literacy as a skill of an Indiana Graduate Prepared to Succeed, as well as providing students increased opportunities to engage in service-based learning or take part in high-quality civic literacy programs. I was so impressed with the middle school students who participated in our state’s Civics Bee and will be cheering Barrett on as he represents Indiana in the national competition.”
Several organizations joined as supporters and sponsors of the event, including the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Eli Lilly and Company, the Indiana Bar Foundation, and Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP—all reinforcing the importance of education and civic awareness among young Hoosiers.
As this year’s Civics Bee draws to a close, the excitement is already building for what comes next. With Indiana aiming to expand participation even further, there is strong momentum behind the movement to inspire a new generation of leaders—students who are already proving that age is no barrier to understanding, action, or making a difference in their communities.
