Kingswood Oxford Eighth-Grader Wins National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals

06.06.2026

Media Center

Nina Mattamana, an eighth-grade student at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, took first place at the National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals Saturday, June 6, at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford.

With her victory, Mattamana advances to the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C., this fall.

“The competition was such an amazing experience,” said Mattamana. “I was really overjoyed and I’m really excited to be going to D.C.”

Annual Competition

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

Middle school students from across Connecticut competed this year, with five students advancing to the state finals.

Mattamana edged out Kaden Hogan, a sixth grader from Scotts Ridge Middle School; Suhana Gutta, an eighth grader from Bethel Middle School; Johnny Macias, a sixth grader from Children’s Community School; and Hanzala Shoaib, an eighth grader from Chippens Hill Middle School.

*Left to right: Suhana Gutta, Kaden Hogan, Nina Mattamana, Johnny Macias, and Hanzala Shoaib*

The CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, organizer of the National Civics Bee, to host regional bees and the Connecticut State Finals.

“The CBIA Foundation is committed to growing the Connecticut economy,” said CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord.

“We can’t do that without engaged citizens who are excited about the future, and I think that’s what the Civics Bee best represents.”

Community Engagement

Modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, the National Civics Bee gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by answering civics-based questions and sharing their ideas for improving their communities.

Mattamana’s winning essay focused on addressing food insecurity in Hartford.

*“The competition was such an amazing experience,” said Nina Mattamana.*

“These students were incredibly well prepared and invested in the issues they are working on in their communities,” said Nord.

Greater Hartford Gives president and CEO Jay Williams, Connecticut Democracy Center school programs coordinator Jason Pittner, and ReadyCT development manager Jessica Callahan served as judges.

NBC Connecticut anchor Mike Hydeck hosted the competition.  Students also heard from Connecticut State Department of Education chief academic officer Irene Parisi and CBIA policy director Danielle Cloud.

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).

The National Civics Bee Connecticut State Finals are made possible through the generous support of Dalio Education, with additional support from Amazon and Google.

The National Civics Bee, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Civic Trust, is an annual competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, and other funders.