Mustang Central Middle School Student Wins State Civics Title, Advances to National Championship

CONTACT: Corey Cargill 
Mustang Public Schools / Communications Specialist
405-376-7829 | cargillc@mustangps.org 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Mustang Central Middle School Student Wins State Civics Title, Advances to National Championship

MUSTANG, OK – Three Mustang Public Schools students competed in the 2026 National Civics Bee Oklahoma State Finals yesterday, showcasing their civic knowledge, leadership, and ideas for strengthening their communities. Among the three finalists, Jessica Mabray, from Mustang Central Middle School, earned first place in the statewide competition, securing a $1,000 prize, with a speech focused on the importance of mental health awareness and support for teens.  She will represent Oklahoma in the fall of 2026 at the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C., where she will compete against state champions from across the country for a $100,000 contribution to an education savings plan.

Hosted by the Oklahoma State Chamber in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, American Fidelity, and several local chambers of commerce, the third annual National Civics Bee State Finals brought together middle school students from across Oklahoma to showcase their civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ideas for strengthening their communities.  Students competed in a live quiz, delivered speeches based on their civics essays, and answered questions from judges to demonstrate their civic knowledge.  This year's finalists represented communities across Oklahoma, including McAlester, Moore, Mustang, Oklahoma City, and Stillwater.

Mustang Public Schools was represented by the following students at the state competition:

• Jessica Mabray, Mustang Central Middle School (First Place – Oklahoma State Champion)
• Gabriella Cooper, Mustang Central Middle School
• John Paul Karpillo, Mustang North Middle School

“I'm really excited. I didn't expect to get this far, and I think it'll be really a fun experience,” said Mabry. “My history teacher had the whole class do it because it's a really cool opportunity. I learned a lot through studying, and I've learned more about how the government operates, the Constitution, and the things that our country is made from.”

"One of the greatest responsibilities we have as educators is preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens who understand they can make a difference. Jessica, Gabby, and John Paul have embraced that responsibility through their curiosity, critical thinking, and commitment to making a positive difference in their community,” said Charles Bradley, Superintendent, Mustang Public Schools. “We are incredibly proud of all three students, and we look forward to cheering Jessica on as she represents Oklahoma at the national championship in Washington, D.C."

"These competitors represent the top students our state has to offer, and we are pleased that Mustang has had a chance to showcase some of its best and brightest. We couldn’t be prouder of Jessica, Gabby and John Paul, who represented our Mustang community so well," said Wes Glinsmann, CEO, Mustang Chamber. "These students have shown a desire to change our community for the better, and we know they will do just that."

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About The National Civics Bee
The National Civics Bee encourages sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students to engage in civics and become active participants in their communities. Modeled after traditional spelling and geography bees, the competition challenges students to demonstrate their understanding of government and civic responsibility while presenting innovative ideas to improve their communities. More information on the Civics Bee: https://okstatechamber.com/national-civics-bee/   

Mustang Public Schools
The Mustang Public School District covers over 72 square miles in Oklahoma and Canadian counties, with the City of Mustang at its center. The district is the largest employer in Canadian County, with more than 1,800 certified and support employees, and serves over 13,500 students.