Hundreds of questions about government and history.

Eight of the brightest teams from Spokane area high schools and six competitive matchups.

All leading up to today.

It's time for the Civics Bowl 2026 Championship Game.

Civics Bowl is made possible by the Avista Foundation, the League of Women Voters of the Spokane area and of Washington.

And by viewers like you.

Hi, everyone, and thank you for joining us for the Civic Bowl Championship matchup.

I'm your host, Scott Leadingham.

If you've been following along from the beginning, I hope you've enjoyed playing from home and you've learned some things about how our government works.

I know, I sure have.

And if you're just joining us, you're in for a great matchup.

Let's look back at the bracket.

We started with eight of the best teams from Spokane Public Schools, the Central Valley School District, and the Liberty School District.

And today, only two teams remain Liberty High School and Ridgeline High School.

These teams are ready.

Let's meet them from Liberty.

Please welcome Zoe, Colin, Thomas and Carter.

And in the audience, we also welcome their alternate, Kenley and coach Kenny Vansickle.

And from Ridgeline High School.

Please welcome Abby, Talene, Tessa, and Vivian.

We'd also like to welcome their alternates, Mary and Kate, and coaches Brittany Bergman and Suzanne Smith.

These teams are, of course, playing for civics knowledge supremacy in our region.

Not to mention a trophy for the winning school.

And for the first time ever, it also comes with a scholarship prize.

Thanks to the generous support of the Selinger-Shone Foundation.

The winning team of the 2026 KSPS PBS Civics Bowl will receive scholarship funding that celebrates civic learning and service.

We are deeply grateful to Doctor Samuel and Rosemary Selinger for investing in the next generation of engaged citizens.

Thank you.

All right, I know these teams are anxious to get the match started, which begins with the Toss-Up round.

I'll ask a toss up question to all players.

A correct answer gives that team a bonus question.

All correct answers in this round are worth ten points.

Here's your first toss up.

Who wrote, “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” In a printed pamphlet circulated across the American colonies.

Tessa.

Thomas Paine.

Correct, your bonus, Thomas Paine persuaded colonists to choose a representative democracy over monarchy.

What was his pamphlet called?

Common Sense.

Correct.

Another toss up, considered the most far reaching of the Civil Rights Acts, which forbids discrimination by restaurants, hotels and theaters on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, or physical disability.

Thomas.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Correct, your bonus, often called the Open Housing Act.

What year did a follow up Civil Rights Act forbid anyone from refusing to sell or rent a dwelling to any person on those same grounds?

Our team's answer is 1968.

That is correct.

Another toss up.

I'm going to pass it off to Olympia.

Hi, I'm Washington state governor, Bob Ferguson.

Way back in 1846, Britain gave up its claim to the northwest part of the United States.

That's when the northwest became an official part of the United States.

What is the name of the territory that stretched across most of the northwest, including what is now Washington State?

During that time?

Zoe.

Cascadia.

Incorrect.

Vivian.

The Washington territory.

Incorrect.

We were looking for the Oregon Territory.

Another tossup.

It's another video clue.

Hi, I'm Spokane County Commissioner, Mary Brooks.

If you want to learn more about the work commissioners do to support the people of Spokane County, I encourage you to tune in virtually to watch one of our weekly board briefing sessions.

Where do my fellow commissioners and I meet when we hold our meetings?

Here's a hint.

It looks like a castle.

Zoe.

The Spokane courthouse.

Yes.

County courthouse.

But we'll take that Spokane County courthouse.

And now the bonus.

The Spokane County Courthouse is a unique local landmark.

Closely resembling 16th century French Renaissance design.

Here's a question for the history buffs.

When did the courthouse open?

A 1840 B 1895.

C 1922 or D 2002.

Our team's answer is B. It is correct.

1895.

Another toss up.

England's colonies in America formed over time with differing government systems and varying arrangements with the British Crown.

Name two of the three types of government formed in the 13 Colonies.

Thomas.

Democracy and Monarchy.

Incorrect.

Ridgeline would you like to buzz in?

If you want.

Yeah.

Parliamentary and oligarchy.

Incorrect.

We were looking for royal colonies, proprietary colonies and charter colonies.

Another toss up.

What is the name of the law passed in 2001, that increased government powers to combat domestic and international terrorism?

Tessa.

The Patriot act.

Yes, that is correct.

And your bonus also aimed at improving national security.

Congress passed the real ID act in 2005 after taking 20 years to implement.

Where do you now need a federally approved driver's license or passport?

Airports.

Yeah, for domestic air travel through TSA.

Yes.

And another toss up.

It's another guest presenter.

Hi, I'm Rob Curley, the editor of the Spokesman-Review.

Why is the media sometimes called the fourth estate, the fourth pillar, or the fourth branch of the US government?

Colin.

Because it has the power to influence the people.

We're going to say that's incorrect.

Ridgeline, if you want.

Talene.

Because there are three other branches of government the legislative, judicial and executive.

Incorrect.

We were looking for that the media serves as an independent watchdog and keep an eye on the government.

As that fourth of state.

So another toss up.

It's another video clue.

Hi, I'm Sherri McMahon, the president of Eastern Washington University.

At EWU, We are expanding the boundaries of traditional learning.

What is the term for a college or university that focuses on hands on learning and career oriented training?

Carter.

Trade School.

No.

Vivian.

Technical University.

Not quite.

We won't take that.

We're looking for a polytechnic.

Another tossup.

Which U.S.

state was the first to legalize same sex marriage in 2003?

Thomas.

Virginia.

Incorrect.

Abby.

California.

Incorrect.

It was Massachusetts in 2003.

Another tossup in the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the president nominates a candidate to fill the position.

What must happen next for the nominee to take office?

Carter.

Must be approved by the Senate.

Incorrect.

Ridgeline, if you want.

Abby.

Yeah.

Must be approved by Congress.

No.

We're looking for a majority vote of both houses of Congress have to approve it, is what we were looking for there.

Another toss up.

This will be the last one.

Following the decline and fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century.

What loosely organized system largely replaced organized government across Europe?

Zoe.

Monarchy.

Incorrect.

Talene.

Feudalism.

That is correct.

And here's a bonus for you.

In the feudal system, who held the most power and who held the least power?

Need an answer.

The nobility had the most power, and the peasantry had the least power.

Yes, we will take that.

Good job, everyone on that first round.

So, looking at the score after that first round.

Liberty with 40 and Ridgeline with 60.

The championship is just getting started.

The head to head round is next.

It's time for this week's question of the week.

Which U.S.

president had a pet parrot named Paul that was supposedly removed from the president's funeral for swearing?

A George Washington B Andrew Jackson, C Ulysses S. Grant D Theodore Roosevelt.

Think about that one and we'll be back with the answer shortly.

We're back at the head to head set now where these players get to face each other one on one.

And let me tell you, the tension is a little higher now that we're in the championship.

Let's get started.

Here's your first question.

What two nations help strengthen the ranks of the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War?

France and.

France and the Iroquois nation.

Incorrect.

We're looking for France and Spain.

In early Native American culture.

Salmon runs were an important source of food in our region.

Why does salmon return to fresh water each year?

To spawn.

Correct.

In a new Washington state law passed in 2022, what right is restored to a person convicted of a felony after that person has served their sentence?

Right to vote?

Correct.

Which amendment to the US Constitution contains the Equal Protection Clause, which mandates that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law?

The 14th.

That is correct.

What do we call the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to create a new governing document for America?

The Founding Fathers.

No, we will not take that.

The signatories.

We are looking for The Framers of the Constitution, specifically, The Framers.

Which amendment to the US Constitution states, in part, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed?

Second.

Correct.

In 1976, who was elected as Washington's first female governor?

I don't know.

Murray.

Incorrect, Dixy Lee Ray.

How many federally recognized tribes are in Washington state?

22.

Incorrect.

Seven.

Incorrect, it was 29.

In US foreign policy, what do we call the strategy of maintaining such a high level of military might that it discourages an attack by a foreign power?

Deterrence.

Correct.

Three states were independent republics before being admitted into the US.

Name one.

Texas.

Correct.

Name the clause in article four of the Constitution that protects citizens who travel or move between states.

Migratory clause.

Incorrect.

It's the Privileges and Immunities Clause.

What year did the Northern Pacific Railroad reach Tacoma, linking Washington to the rest of the country?

1896.

Incorrect.

1842.

Incorrect, 1883.

And that was the last question in that round.

Good job everyone.

Looking at the score.

80 to 80, It's a tie, everyone.

The category round is next.

And we're back.

We're going to get to know the teams a little bit better.

And I'm going to ask you all your grade.

And what do you kind of want to do after high school.

What are you going to do Zoe?

I am a senior and I would like to write a few books.

Yeah, a particular topic?

Genres?

I was thinking fantasy books.

Yeah, yeah, the.

That's a big thing.

Now, a fantasy books are really popular.

That's good.

All right, Colin?

I'm a senior, I'm going to Boise State for marching band, and I'm planning to study electrical engineering.

Wow, You got it planned out.

Yeah.

Well, we'll see.

Marching band, Were you a percussionist?

Did I hear that?

Yeah, I play the drums.

Everyone under looks, you know, the drummers in the marching band need it all right, Thomas, what are you going to do?

I want to go to college for education and then settle down and become a family man.

That's very good.

That's very good.

Maybe stay in this area, you know?

Yeah, hopefully.

That's very good.

That's very cool.

All right.

Carter?

I'm a junior, and after high school, I'd like to attend University, University of Idaho and study, mechanical engineering.

Yeah, they got a good program there.

Yeah.

Anything I do with that?

Mechanical engineering.

Oh, I'd like to.

I'd like to get into the aerospace industry.

Yeah.

Get into, like, the private sector.

Yeah, that's big in the northwest, I've heard.

Yeah.

They make planes once in a while.

Sometimes the doors stay on.

Yeah.

All right.

Abby, what are you doing?

I'd like to go into electrical engineering.

Okay.

Yeah, we got some engineering minds here.

Anything particular you want to work in with electrical engineering?

Probably like technology, like smartphone, kind of stuff.

And, like, data communication.

All right, I'll come to you if I have any problems with my iPhone.

All right.

Talene?

I'm going to Reed College and I'm going to study anthropology.

Reed, that's, in the Portland area, right?

Yeah.

Anthropology.

I want to go around the world and study cultures and how humans were, you know, came a came to be.

It's always been my favorite stuff in school.

That's very cool, very interesting.

All right.

Tessa, I'm a senior.

I'm going to University of Virginia, and I'm hoping to study psychology.

You said Virginia, right?

UVA, Thomas Jefferson and all that.

Wow.

Beautiful campus I've heard.

Right?

Have you visited?

No.

Not yet.

Yeah, you'll enjoy it, but you might miss the northwest.

But it's beautiful out here, too.

Yeah.

And, Vivian, I'm a senior, and I'll be attending Brigham Young University to pursue dentistry.

Dentistry?

All right, I have a little toothache.

Can you take a look at that?

Yeah, yeah.

You want to come back here and practice dentistry in this region or kind of go wherever?

We'll see.

That's amazing.

All right.

Category round is next.

We're ready for the category round now where teams will take turns answering questions from these categories.

Local civil rights leaders, which amendment 250 years of independence, Rallying the team, And on my playlist.

A coin toss during the break determined that Ridgeline you get to select first.

We'd like which amendment For 15, which amendment added to the US Constitution in 1865 abolished slavery?

The 13th amendment.

Correct.

Liberty.

We'll do which amendment for 20.

Which amendment to the US Constitution establish a nationwide prohibition on alcohol?

Our team's answer is the 18th.

That is correct.

Ridgeline.

We'd like which amendment.

Which amendment to the Constitution limits the number of terms in which a president may serve?

The 22nd amendment.

That is correct.

Liberty.

We'll do which amendment for 30.

To close it out.

Which amendment declares that no state may be sued in a federal court by a citizen of another state, or by a citizen of any foreign state?

Our team's answer is the 11th.

Your team's answer was correct.

Ridgeline.

We'd like 250 years of independence.

This summer, the United States celebrates 250 years of independence.

If you can do some simple math, this question should be easy.

What year was the Declaration of Independence signed 1776.

Correct.

Liberty.

We'll do 250 years of independence for 20.

Who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence?

Writing his name in famously large script?

Our team's answer is John Hancock.

That is correct.

Ridgeline 250 Years of Independence.

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

Correct.

Liberty.

We'll do 250 years of independence for 30.

Name the entire Committee of five responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence.

I defer to Carter.

Oh, we'll toss that one.

Yes.

Okay, we're going to toss that to Ridgeline, and you must answer.

Need an answer.

Jefferson.

James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Jay and Hamilton.

Incorrect, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

All right.

It's going to stay with Ridgeline because they toss to you would have been your question.

We'd like rallying the team.

We have some guests in this category.

Hi.

I'm Otto Klein, senior vice president of the Spokane Indians.

A trip to the ballpark isn't complete without some antics from our mascots.

We don't just have one mascot.

We have a team of mascots.

What type of animals do our mascots, Otto and Doris, represent?

Need an answer.

Dog and fish.

Incorrect, they're actually dinosaurs.

I did not know that.

All right, Liberty.

We'll go with on my playlist for 15.

Music has long been used by people to express themselves and sometimes to protest.

Which artist known for his songs addressing and addressing Puerto Rican sovereignty, government corruption and racism, performed at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show?

Our team's answer is Bad Bunny.

That is correct.

Ridgeline.

We'd like local civil rights leaders.

For 15 points.

We have a guest in this category.

Hi, I'm Lisa Gardner, the president of Spokane NAACP.

We are the oldest civil rights organization in Spokane making a difference for people through advocacy, education, and civic engagement.

Many of our leaders and members have made history in Spokane.

In 1981, who became Spokane's first and so far only black mayor?

We'd like to decline.

You will decline it.

Okay, so you want to answer.

It's not a toss.

So the answer is James Chase.

Chase, middle school, things like that.

There you go.

Liberty.

Your pick.

We'll do on my playlist for 20.

With songs like Black Parade, Freedom and Formation.

Which artist is known for her blend of anthemic melodies with powerful messages of black resilience to liberation and systemic justice?

Well decline.

You will decline.

Not toss.

The answer is Beyonce.

Ridgeline.

We'd like on my playlist.

For 25 points.

Do we have any Swifties here?

What 2020 Taylor Swift song encouraged young adults and teenagers to use their voices to express what they believe in?

Me.

It is not Me.

It is Only The Young.

Liberty.

Well do on my playlist for 30.

American Idiot criticized the news media coverage of the war in Iraq.

What punk rock band released the 2004 song, which later became a Broadway musical?

Our team's answer is Green Day.

That's right.

That was my favorite band growing up.

That tells you how old I am.

Ridgeline.

We'd like rallying the team.

For 20 points, it's another guest video.

Hi, I'm Nolan Saunderson, defense number two for the Spokane Chiefs.

If you've been to one of our games, you've seen our official mascot, Boomer.

What type of animal is Boomer?

We'd like to decline.

Decline.

Not going to toss it.

All right.

Well okay.

Boomer is a bear.

Liberty.

Last question.

We'll do rallying the team for 25.

Once again let's hear from the Chiefs.

Hi I'm Rhett Sather, defense number 47 for the Spokane Chiefs.

Boomer loves rallying the crowd from our home ice at the New America Veterans Arena.

What year did the facility open, replacing the aging Spokane Coliseum?

A 1980 B 1995 C 2010 or D 2025 Need an answer.

We will decline.

You will decline not toss.

So the answer is 1995 31 years old.

That arena is all right.

That is the end of the category round.

Good job everyone.

And looking at the score 195 for Liberty and 90 for Ridgeline.

The lightning round is next.

Let's check out the answer to the question of the week now.

Which U.S.

President apparently had a parrot with a swearing problem?

The answer is B Andrew Jackson.

According to accounts, the parrot had to be removed from President Jackson's 1845 funeral because of loud cursing it had apparently learned from its owner.

It all comes down to this, the Lightning round.

Teams, you have 90s to answer as many questions as you can, and of course, whoever has the most points at the end of that 90s will win the 2026 championship.

So no pressure.

The clock starts when I finish reading the first question, Which state was the first to ratify the US Constitution?

Thomas.

Virginia.

Incorrect.

Delaware.

What term means the authority of the court to hear cases?

Jurisdiction.

Correct.

The word civic is spelled the same forward and backward.

What do we call this kind of word?

Tessa.

Palindrome.

Correct.

Who was the first woman elected to Congress?

That's Jeanette Rankin.

Which article in the U.S.

Constitution defines the process for ratifying the document?

Carter.

Fifth.

Incorrect, The seventh.

True or false, the president does not have a role in the formal process of amending the Constitution?

Thomas.

False.

No, it's true.

How many justices serve on Washington State's Supreme Court?

Nine.

Correct.

What year did the US Constitution take effect?

Carter.

1789.

Correct.

Who is the current president pro tem of the US Senate?

Thomas.

Todd Blanche.

Incorrect.

Chuck Grassley.

What is the only method to remove a sitting federal judge?

Talene.

Impeachment.

Correct.

What do we call censorship before an idea either written or spoken has been expressed?

Vivian.

Prior restraint.

Correct.

When is the next presidential election?

Colin.

2028.

Correct.

What's the process called by which a state establishes a city?

Thomas.

Charter.

Incorrect.

It's called incorporation.

That that buzzer means that we have a Civics Bowl Championship.

Congratulations, it is Ridgeline with 170 to 155.

Liberty, you did such a great job.

And we thank you so much for being here and for your commitment to civic engagement.

It's been really great having all the teams here.

And you too.

It's been a delight.

Thank you for being here.

KSPS PBS proudly presents Ridgeline High School with the 2026 Civics Bowl Championship trophy.

We hope this gives you some serious bragging rights back at your school.

And more importantly, we hope it reminds all of you and your classmates of the importance of being engaged citizens.

Also, in a first for Civics Bowl, each participant on the winning team will receive a $500 scholarship from the Selinger Shone Foundation.

Doctor Samuel and Rosemary Selinger are here now to congratulate you.

For those of you watching from home, we hope you've enjoyed playing along.

We also hope you feel more inspired than ever to get involved and play an active role in our democracy.

If you missed any episodes this season, remember you can catch up at any time at ksps.org on the PBS app and on YouTube.

From all of us here at KSPS PBS.

Thank you for watching.

Civics Bowl is made possible by the Avista Foundation, the League of Women Voters of the Spokane area, and of Washington.

And by viewers like you.