Fairfield Student Competes in National Civics Bee Finals

Connecticut’s Civics Bee State champion—Fairfield’s Aarav Pradeep Sahu—joined 38 other state champions Nov. 11 in Washington, D.C. at the 2025 National Civics Bee Championship.

The annual competition aims to improve civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. 

Sahu earned his spot in the championship after taking first place at the Connecticut State Finals in the spring.

Representing Connecticut

“We’re incredibly proud to have had such a bright and motivated person like Aarav representing Connecticut at the Civics Bee Finals in Washington,” said CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord.

The foundation partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, organizer of the National Civics Bee, to host the Connecticut State Finals.

During the national championship, students tested their civics knowledge, tackled real-world challenges, and presented proposals to solve community problems to a panel of national leaders.

“This added fuel to my desire to do something for the community.”

Fairfield’s Aarav Pardeep Sahu

“How do I make my community better?” Sahu said during an interview on Fox 61 leading up to the championship.

“This added fuel to my desire to do something for the community.”

Sahu was eliminated in the second round of the finals.

Opportunities Expanding

A middle school student from Jackson Township, Ohio ultimately won the championship.

“The impressive talent in our country was on full display at the finals, and Aarav can be proud to have competed against such a strong field of his peers,” said Nord.

“Our communities can only improve with the hard work and diligence of people like Aarav, and we want to make sure efforts and talents like his get the recognition they deserve.”

“Students in every corner of the country will have the chance to step onto the National Civics Bee stage.”

U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Hilary Crow

 Applications for the 2026 National Civics Bee are now open.

The U.S. Chamber Foundation announced that next year’s competition is expanding to all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and American Samoa.

“For the first time, students in every corner of the country will have the chance to step onto the National Civics Bee stage,” said U.S. Chamber Foundation vice president of civics Hilary Crow.

“This expansion makes the National Civics Bee one of the nation’s largest and most inclusive civic education initiatives ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.”