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2026 National Civics Bee® North Dakota State Finals
The Greater North Dakota Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Minot Area Chamber EDC to host a nonpartisan statewide civics competition. The National Civics Bee® encourages young Americans in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.
The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics.
AGENDAREMARKS:
8:45 AM: Student check-in
9:00: Registration open
9:30: Welcome Remarks- Arik Spencer, President & CEO, Greater North Dakota Chamber
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Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State
9:40: State Finals Competition- Rounds 1 & 2: 10 multiple choice questions each round
- Chad Oban, Executive Director at North Dakota United
- Round 3: Judge Q&A (3-minute pitch of finalist's original essay)
- Chad Calvert, Senior Director of State Government Affairs, Chevron
- Kayla Pulvermacher, Government Relations Manager, Midco
- Ryan Taylor, Director of Public Policy, Ducks Unlimited and former North Dakota Senator
RESOURCES/ADDITIONAL INFO:
National Civics Bee® Championship 2025
National Civics Bee® Website
PROGRAM GUEST BIOS
MICHAEL HOWE took office as North Dakota's 15th Secretary of State on January 1, 2023. A fifth-generation farmer who grew up near Casselton, he earned his degree from North Dakota State University and spent time in Washington, D.C. on the staff of Congressman Rick Berg before finding his way back to North Dakota. He represented rural Cass County in the North Dakota House of Representatives for six years before being elected into his current role, where he oversees a broad range of responsibilities including elections, business registrations, and stewardship of the North Dakota Constitution and Great Seal. Secretary Howe currently serves as Midwestern Region Vice-President on the National Association of Secretaries of State Executive Board. Michael is married to his wife Katie, and they have a two year old son, James. Read more here.
EMCEE:
CHAD OBAN is the Executive Director of North Dakota United, the state's largest professional organization representing educators and public employees. A Bismarck native with extensive experience in government relations, public affairs, and political campaigns, he has worked on races from local offices to presidential campaigns. As Executive Director, he focuses on strengthening public education, growing membership, building coalitions, and advocating for policies that support students, educators, and public services. Oban also co-hosts the Plain Talk podcast, covering North Dakota politics, public policy, and current events. He lives in Bismarck with his wife, former state senator Erin Oban, and their son, Evin.
JUDGES:
CHAD CALVERT is Senior Director of State Government Affairs for Chevron, overseeing state government relations across the central U.S. Based in Denver, he brings more than 30 years of experience in energy and environmental policy at the state and federal levels, including leadership roles with Chevron, Noble Energy, and BP. He also served in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he worked on federal natural resource policy. Calvert holds degrees from Georgetown University and George Mason University. He and his wife Sara live in Monument with two amazing kids and a bunch of farm animals.
KAYLA PULVERMACHER is Government Relations Manager for Midco, based in the Bismarck area. She leads strategic engagement at the intersection of business and public policy, working with leaders across North Dakota to advance solutions that support communities and industry. A recognized leader, Kayla has been named a Prairie Business 40 Under 40 honoree and a TechND Technology Champion. She is a graduate of North Dakota State University and lives in Lincoln with her sons, Jack and Ty, and bulldog Ben.
RYAN TAYLOR is Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. He works with state and federal policymakers on conservation, grazing lands, and agricultural policy that supports both working lands and wildlife habitat. Taylor is also a fifth-generation rancher, managing his family's cattle ranch near Towner, North Dakota. A former member of the North Dakota Senate, he served from 2002 to 2012 and later led USDA Rural Development in North Dakota. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University and divides his time between Bismarck and the family ranch near Towner. He enjoys life on the prairie with his wife, Nikki, and three college-age children.
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Date and Time
Friday Jul 10, 2026
8:45 AM - 12:00 PM CDTContact Information
Kory Peterson
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