ABOUT THE BEE

The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a nonpartisan civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee National Championship in Fall 2026.

EVENT DETAILS

• Tuesday, April 28, 2026
• 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)
• University Student Center Ballrooms at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus
  200 6th Ave S
  St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
• Register and learn more here

OUR 2026 PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS WILL EVALUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS AND LIVE COMPETITION RESPONSES:

Chris Boles – Hillsborough County Commissioner 

Commissioner Chris Boles represents Countywide District 6 on the Hillsborough County Commission. Elected in 2024, he previously served 28 years with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, retiring as a Battalion Chief. His background includes leadership roles with Hillsborough County Firefighter Charities, Fire Fighters Local 2294, and the Florida West Coast Credit Union. He focuses on public safety, transportation, infrastructure, and responsible budgeting. A longtime county resident, he holds a B.S. in Fire Administration and lives in Hillsborough County with his wife, Amber, and their daughter. 

Dr. René Flowers – Pinellas County Commissioner 

Commissioner René Flowers represents District 7 on the Pinellas County Commission, bringing decades of experience in public service, education, and community leadership. She holds multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Public Administration from Capella University. Commissioner Flowers serves on numerous regional boards such as the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. A lifelong St. Petersburg resident, former School Board member, and former City Council member, she remains deeply engaged in community and youth-focused initiatives.

Mary Pat King – CEO, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida 

Mary Pat King, CAE, is CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, leading nearly 18,000 members across eight counties. A nonprofit executive with 20+ years of national experience, she has built high‑impact programs for organizations including National PTA, the American Diabetes Association, and Safe Kids Worldwide. Her background includes managing national outreach, scaling global safety initiatives, and securing more than $10 million in philanthropic support, as well as advising federal agencies on youth and community engagement. 

Stephen Ponzillo – Vice President & Community Relations Officer, Regions Bank 

Stephen Ponzillo is a Vice President and Community Relations Officer at Regions Bank, partnering with nonprofits across West, Central, and North Florida to advance education, financial wellness, and inclusive economic growth. He previously spent 17 years in nonprofit leadership roles in Tampa Bay, Northern Indiana, and Washington, D.C., including two years of AmeriCorps service. A double graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he serves on the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Board and recently chaired its Membership Sustainability Committee. 

Dr. Thomas Smith – Interim Chancellor, USF St. Petersburg 

Thomas Smith is the interim chancellor of USF’s St. Petersburg campus and also serves as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. A member of the USF St. Petersburg community for more than 25 years, he is a published expert on human rights, international humanitarian law, and Turkish politics. His past roles include Campus Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Associate Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. He co‑founded the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs and holds degrees from William & Mary and the University of Virginia.