Presidential 1776 Award: The Ultimate Civics Showdown 2026

Directed by Ron de Moraes

Hosted by Mario Lopez, The Presidential 1776 Award celebrates America’s brightest young civic scholars. After regional competitions nationwide, 20 finalists gather in Washington, D.C. for a fast-paced national championship. The field narrows to three finalists, who advance to a live, judged competition at the White House. With $250,000 in scholarships at stake, the event honors civic literacy, academic excellence, and national achievement.