Finalists from the National Civics Bee’s Regional Competition in Covington are (l-r) Carolyn McCormick (second place), Henry Schneidau (first place) and Kaysen Barlow (third place).

Henry Schneidau, a seventh-grade student at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Slidell, won first place in the 2026 National Civics Bee Regional Competition hosted by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce on May 4 in Covington. The event brought together seven middle school finalists from across southeast Louisiana for a live competition showcasing their civic knowledge, leadership and creative solutions following the essay qualification round.

Carolyn McCormick of Monteleone Junior High School in Mandeville placed second, and Kaysen Barlow of St. Tammany Junior High School in Slidell placed third. All three students advance to the state competition June 27 in Shreveport. Read the press release.