Melaleuca Helps Bring Idaho’s First National Civics Bee to Life

June 4, 2026

When Lainey Moore noticed that younger students at her school did not have access to the same mental health support programs as older students, she did more than wonder why.

She thought about a solution.

That simple act of citizenship became her winning essay in Idaho’s first National Civics Bee, co-hosted by Melaleuca and the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Melaleuca helped bring the National Civics Bee to Idaho after Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, asked Frank VanderSloot for help securing an Idaho partner. Melaleuca recruited the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce as co-host, promoted the competition statewide and hosted the Idaho finals at its Global Headquarters.

Lainey, an eighth grader at William Thomas Middle School in American Falls, earned the title of Idaho State Champion after competing with 19 other student finalists from across the state. The competition was held at Melaleuca Global Headquarters on May 29. Later this year, she will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent Idaho at the National Civics Bee Championship.

“I thought it was odd that they didn’t have anything like that for younger kids,” Lainey said.

Her idea focused on helping families, schools and communities become more aware of children’s mental health needs and find ways to support younger students earlier.

It was thoughtful. It was compassionate. And it was exactly the kind of civic leadership the National Civics Bee, which is organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, was designed to encourage.

Why Melaleuca Stepped Up

Melaleuca National Civics Bee — Lainey Moore, Idaho National Civics Bee champion, with Jamie Reynolds of Melaleuca and Paul Baker of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce at Melaleuca Global Headquarters.

Idaho’s first National Civics Bee did not happen by accident.

The effort began when Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, personally reached out to Melaleuca founder Frank VanderSloot for help. She explained that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation was working to expand the National Civics Bee to all 50 states in time for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and Idaho was one of only two states that had not yet confirmed participation.

Frank immediately agreed to help.

For Melaleuca, the decision was simple. The company has long believed that strong families, strong communities and a strong nation depend on people who understand freedom, responsibility and service. Frank’s longstanding connection to the U.S. Chamber, built over more than 30 years of board service, made Melaleuca a natural partner.

“The National Civics Bee helps young people understand why America works and why it’s worth defending,” Frank said. “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.”

Since that time, Melaleuca helped bring the competition to Idaho by recruiting the Greater IF Chamber of Commerce as a co-host, conducting statewide outreach, promoting the opportunity to schools and youth organizations, and hosting the inaugural Idaho finals at its Global Headquarters.

This was more than a sponsorship. Melaleuca invested hundreds of hours, significant resources, facilities and focus because civic education matters, and because young people deserve opportunities to learn how they can make a difference.

For Melaleuca’s Members, Marketing Executives and Team Members, the story is another reminder that Melaleuca is more than a wellness company. It is a company that puts its mission into action by strengthening families, communities and the country.

Students Looked for Ways to Enhance Their Communities

One of the most encouraging parts of Idaho’s first National Civics Bee was seeing what students cared about.

Their essays showed that middle school students are paying attention to America. They see challenges in their schools, neighborhoods and towns, and they are thinking about ways to help.

Some students wrote about mental health, bullying, kindness, screen time and the need for stronger support at school. Others focused on reading literacy, safe transportation, homelessness, affordable housing, rural grocery access, community centers, public safety, volunteer service, litter cleanup, farmland preservation and helping families in need.

Although their ideas were different, the pattern was clear: these students were searching for ways to make life better for the people around them.

That is one reason Melaleuca was proud to help bring the National Civics Bee to Idaho. The competition invited students to do something closely connected to Melaleuca’s mission: notice a need, think carefully about a solution and look for ways to enhance lives in their communities.

For students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, that is a powerful lesson. They realized that citizenship is not just something they will practice someday. It is something they can begin practicing now.

A Lesson That Reached Home

For Lainey’s family, and for many others, the competition opened the door to meaningful conversations.

As Lainey worked on her essay, civics became part of everyday life at home.

“She was like, ‘Hey, I’m writing this essay about civics at school. Can we talk about it?’” her mother, Angie Moore, recalled.

Soon, conversations about the Constitution, citizenship and community responsibility became part of their family life.

“It was a neat opportunity to talk about the Constitution and everything,” Angie said.

That is one of the lasting benefits of the National Civics Bee. It does more than test what students know. It encourages families to talk about what citizenship means and how each person can help strengthen the community.

It reinforced Melaleuca’s belief that strong communities are built one conversation at a time.

Investing in the Next Generation

The National Civics Bee was created to ignite a passion for civics among middle school students and their communities. Students begin by writing essays about issues they see in their own communities and proposing ways to address them. Finalists then compete in a live event that tests their civics knowledge and gives them a chance to present their ideas.

For Melaleuca, that cause is worth supporting.

At the Idaho finals, students heard from Melaleuca Chief Human Resources Officer Jamie Reynolds, Greater IF Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Baker and Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, who addressed students by video. Their message reinforced what the competition was designed to teach: informed, engaged citizens can strengthen their communities long before they reach adulthood.

Young people need to understand the freedoms they inherit, the responsibilities they carry and the difference they can make. They need adults, schools, businesses and community organizations to encourage them to think deeply, speak respectfully and act with purpose.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, that kind of preparation matters more than ever.

The next chapter of America’s story will be shaped by young people who understand that citizenship is not passive. It requires learning, gratitude, service and a willingness to help solve problems.

Representing Idaho

Lainey’s parents said the experience was unexpected and rewarding.

“This is just a big surprise,” her father, Daniel Moore, said. “It was not something that we were expecting.”

For Lainey, the honor is about more than winning.

“It feels good,” she said. “I am happy that I’m able to represent Idaho and just be able to do this for my state.”

Long before she became Idaho’s first National Civics Bee champion, Lainey was already showing what good citizenship looks like.

That is why Melaleuca helped bring this opportunity to Idaho. Because students like Lainey remind us that America’s future is bright when young people are encouraged to learn, serve and lead.

If Idaho’s first National Civics Bee is any indication, the next 250 years are in capable hands.

In the News

Idaho’s first National Civics Bee also drew attention from local and regional media outlets, helping extend the message of civic education beyond the students and families who attended. Top coverage included: