Bill of Rights Institute, iCivics name latest Civic Star Challenge winners

The Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics awarded $5,000 prizes to educators in Florida, Utah and North Carolina for classroom lessons tied to founding ideals and civic learning. The challenge has been extended through Dec. 15, adding more prizes as America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Why it matters: - The Civic Star Challenge rewards teachers who connect the Declaration of Independence’s ideas to civic learning in students’ daily lives. - The contest focuses on civic action, media literacy, and debate and dialogue. - The program is part of America’s 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. - The extension adds more chances for educators to win funding for civics-related teaching.

What happened: - The Bill of Rights Institute and iCivics named the latest winners of the Civic Star Challenge, a nationwide contest for educators. - The most recent winners are Dina Siembak of Schwarzkopf Elementary School in Lutz, Florida; Payton Ashby of South Sevier Middle School in Monroe, Utah; and Juan Moguel of Warren Early College High School in Warrenton, North Carolina. - Patrick Walters of Joaquin Miller Middle School in San Jose, California, received an honorable mention. - Each winner received $5,000.

The details: - The challenge asks teachers to submit a brief narrative about student learning or outcomes from a related classroom lesson or activity. - Educators can use free resources from iCivics and the Bill of Rights Institute, other teaching materials, or lessons they develop themselves. - The contest was originally scheduled to run through July 4, 2026. - Organizers extended the challenge through Dec. 15, 2026. - The extended schedule includes three additional contest periods and $50,000 in total prizes. - Each period awards $5,000 to one educator in each grade band: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. - That structure produces nine winners overall. - Four additional honorable mentions of $1,250 each will be awarded across the challenge. - The contest periods run Aug. 15-Sept. 30, Oct. 1-31, and Nov. 1-Dec. 15. - Educators may enter once per period at civicstarchallenge.org. - The challenge is supported by Griffin Catalyst, the civic engagement initiative of Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, The James Irvine Foundation, The Stand Together Trust, and The Pedersen Foundation.

Between the lines: - The extension suggests strong interest in teacher-led civics programs tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial. - The prize structure pushes participation across grade levels, not just one segment of K-12 education. - The emphasis on civic action, media literacy, and dialogue reflects a broader push to link history instruction with practical civic skills. - iCivics CEO Louise Dubé said the 250th anniversary offers a chance to help students connect founding ideas to their lives and communities. - Bill of Rights Institute President and CEO David Bobb said the initiative recognizes teachers helping students build the knowledge, judgment, and civic habits to act on those principles.

What’s next: - More winners will be selected across the three remaining contest periods through Dec. 15, 2026. - Educators can continue submitting one entry per period. - Additional honorable mentions will be awarded as the challenge continues. - The program will keep highlighting classroom work tied to civic learning during the 250th anniversary year.

The bottom line: - The Civic Star Challenge is expanding as a national civics-teaching incentive, with more prize money and more opportunities for educators to be recognized for classroom lessons on founding ideals and modern citizenship.