NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett today announced the 12 winners of the 2026 Civics Essay Contest. A total of 4,603 students participated in the contest with the theme: “Tennessee, America at Its Best.”
This year’s winners are:
9-12th Grade:
First: Junhee Kim, Ravenwood High School (Williamson County)
Second: Ava Skelton, Smith County High School (Smith County)
Third: Riley Swinford, Baylor School (Hamilton County)
6-8th Grade:
First: Ife Adeyemi, University School (Washington County)
Second: Ezriah Estrada, Homelife Academy (Maury County)
Third: Emily Hernandez Martin, Hixson Middle School (Hamilton County)
3-5th Grade:
First: Lucy Farley, South Knoxville Elementary School (Knox County)
Second: William Taylor, Enlightium Online Academy (Shelby County)
Third: Micheal Tate Jr., Oakshire Elementary School (Shelby County)
K-2nd Grade:
First: Nicholas Higgs, Thomas Magnet School (Bedford County)
Second: Nolan Dye, Barret's Chapel Elementary School (Shelby County)
Third: Autumn Cameron, Honor School (Jefferson County)
“Congratulations to this year’s winners, and all who participated in the 2026 Civics Essay Contest. As a proud American, and lifelong Tennessean, it’s a privilege to see the deep pride these students have in our state and their understanding in how Tennessee has and continues to shape our great nation,” said Secretary Hargett.
Each winner receives a TNStars 529 College Savings Program scholarship and a trip to the State Capitol. First-place winners receive a $500 scholarship, second-place winners receive $ 250, and third-place winners receive $100.
The Civics Essay Contest was created in 2016, and integrates civics into schools, encouraging students to contemplate their role as citizens. This year’s contest was open to all public, private school, or home school association students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Ninety-three students have received awards through the program since its creation.
The Secretary of State’s Civics Essay Contest, Anne Dallas Dudley Award, College Voter Registration Competition, and Student Mock Election are part of the office’s longstanding civics engagement efforts to prepare students to be actively engaged citizens.
For more information about civic engagement and education efforts in Tennessee through the Secretary of State’s office, please click here.
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