Help Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Middle Schooler You Know Can Make a Difference
Melaleuca Inspires Civic Pride by Supporting the National Civics Bee®
You know a young person who’s curious about the world, perhaps your child, grandchild, a neighbor’s kid, or a student at your church. That curiosity helps young people begin to understand how their communities work and how they can make a difference.
The National Civics Bee®, a nationwide program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, helps middle school students build on that curiosity through civic learning and local engagement. Melaleuca strongly supports the program and is encouraging our Members and Marketing Executives to share it with students they know. Applications close Feb. 3.
America’s future depends on young people who are informed, engaged, and willing to participate in civic life. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, there is no better time to renew our commitment to civic education and to the principles that have shaped and sustained our nation.
“America didn’t happen by accident,” said Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot. “It works because generations before us believed in freedom, hard work, and the power of free enterprise, and they sacrificed dearly to protect those ideals. Those principles have lifted more people out of poverty and created more opportunities than any other system in history.”
For three decades, Frank has served on the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the prestigious National Civics Bee. He’s guided the nation’s largest business organization and its advocacy efforts to strengthen free enterprise and civic understanding.
His belief is reflected in the prestigious National Civics Bee, which challenges middle school students to think critically about their communities and consider how they can play a role in strengthening them.
What Is the National Civics Bee?
The National Civics Bee is an engaging academic competition designed for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Students from public, private, charter, and home schools are all eligible to participate.
The competition begins with a written essay. Students identify a real issue in their local community and propose a thoughtful, practical solution. Those whose essays score highest advance to live, quiz-style competitions, where they demonstrate their civics knowledge before judges and a public audience.
For example, in Idaho, the top 20 students will advance to the statewide competition. Cash prizes will be awarded at the state level, including:
- $1,000 for the first-place student
- A $5,000 donation to the winner’s school
State champions will then advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., competing for national recognition and a $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan.
“The National Civics Bee helps young people understand why America works and why it’s worth defending,” Frank added. “At a time when so many voices are tearing down this country, our kids need to know the truth about what makes America strong, good, and free.”
An Invitation to the Melaleuca Family
Melaleuca is more than a company, it’s a family of Members, Marketing Executives, Team Members, and communities that span the nation.
That’s why Melaleuca is encouraging our Members and Marketing Executives to share this opportunity with:
- Their children or grandchildren
- Friends, neighbors, and coworkers
- Students in their churches, schools, and communities
If you know a middle school student anywhere in the United States who is curious, thoughtful, or eager to make a difference, this competition is for them.
Learn how middle school students nationwide can participate in the National Civics Bee and share this opportunity with your family and community: https://www.nationalcivicsbee.org/
All eligible students can learn more and submit their essays directly through the National Civics Bee website.
Why This Matters to Melaleuca
Melaleuca and its founder, Frank VanderSloot, have championed patriotism, civic responsibility, and community engagement for decades. That commitment is reflected most visibly in the creation of the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, which has become one of the largest Independence Day fireworks displays in America, now approaching its 33rd year.
The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is more than a fireworks show: Its purpose is to pay tribute to America’s Founding Fathers, honor veterans and active-duty military members, and recognize the sacrifices made by military families. At its heart, the event is about gratitude, remembrance, and respect for those who have protected the freedoms Americans enjoy.
Just as important, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration inspires a renewed sense of civic pride and American citizenship. The message behind the event is why Melaleuca produces it each year, to remind people of the importance of being informed, engaged, and grateful citizens.
The National Civics Bee builds on that same purpose by helping young people understand how our country works, why it matters, and how they can play a role in strengthening their communities. Together, these efforts help ensure those ideals are understood, appreciated, and carried forward by the next generation.
Melaleuca’s National Commitment to Civic Education
For 2026, Melaleuca is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support the National Civics Bee nationwide. As part of that effort, Melaleuca is also working with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce to help host Idaho’s statewide competition, which will culminate in a live event at Melaleuca Global Headquarters in Idaho Falls on May 29, 2026.
This marks the first time the National Civics Bee has been brought to Idaho at a statewide level, an important milestone as the competition now reaches students in all 50 states.
Strengthening Civic Education Together
Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said the National Civics Bee comes at an important moment for the country.
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we have a powerful opportunity, and responsibility, to reignite civic learning across the country,” Crow said. “Our hope is that the National Civics Bee inspires more schools to prioritize civics education, equipping young people with a deeper understanding of how our government and democracy work, and the essential role they play in strengthening their communities and our nation.”
Melaleuca is honored to work alongside a broad coalition of partners supporting the Idaho competition, including the Idaho State Department of Education, BLUUM, Idaho National Laboratory, Blue Cross of Idaho, Stukent, Idaho Farm Bureau, and others who share a commitment to strengthening civic education.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, programs like the National Civics Bee offer a meaningful way to inspire knowledge, service, and pride in our country.
We invite the Melaleuca family to help spread the word and help shape the leaders of tomorrow.