COLUMBUS, Ohio — Fourteen high school students from across Ohio squared off in the America 250-Ohio History Bee on Feb. 19, answering rapid-fire trivia questions about the Buckeye State’s past in a Jeopardy-style competition at the Ohio Statehouse.
The students qualified for the event after earning top scores on the American Legion Department of Ohio’s long-running Americanism and Government Test.
A tense tiebreaker question decided the winner: How many Greyhound buses did Evel Knievel jump in 1975 at Kings Island? The answer—14—earned Aiden Adams first place over fellow finalist Jessica Fike.
“We are especially proud to host this History Bee in partnership with The American Legion, an organization that has long championed civic responsibility, service and the importance of understanding our nation’s history,” said Taylor Tomu, community outreach and engagement specialist with the America 250-Ohio Commission. “Together, we share the belief that history is not just something we memorize. It’s something to live, protect and pass on.”
The competition, part of Ohio’s lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, brought together sophomores, juniors and seniors who showed their knowledge on topics such as Ohio presidents, astronauts, legislation, natural disasters, sports, and food. The top two scorers in each grade advanced to the finals.
“Our Americanism and Government Test aligns perfectly with what America 250 is doing to rekindle interest in the history of both Ohio and the nation,” said Department of Ohio Adjutant John Robinson.
Among the finalists was Fike, a junior at Logan Elm High School in Circleville, who finished second. She said she was surprised by how well she performed.
“I didn’t know what they were going to test us on,” Fike said. “But knowledge is power. The more we know, the more we can make change for our community. Youth are often talked about but rarely at the table. The more we know, the more we can take part in decisions that shape our lives and our country.”
Her father, a government teacher at Logan Elm, administers the Americanism and Government Test each year. About 65,000 Ohio students in grades 10–12 take it statewide. The exam includes 50 questions—half true-or-false and half multiple choice—on topics such as the U.S. Constitution, flag etiquette, and local, state, and federal government, followed by a 300-word essay.
Each year, 18 high scorers—six per grade—earn an all-expense-paid educational trip to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., alongside the Ohio Legion Family delegation.
Mohamed Kataby, a junior at Hilliard Davidson High School who placed third, said he’s eager for the trip. “I heard we get to do things other school trips don’t. I’m really excited,” he said. The itinerary includes visits to Gettysburg, the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania, national monuments in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Capitol.
“It’s not your eighth-grade field trip,” Robinson said. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The idea for the History Bee grew from discussions between Paul LaRue, co-chair of the America 250-Ohio K–12 Education Committee and president of the State Board of Education, and American Legion leaders. LaRue himself was a top scorer on the Americanism and Government Test in 1975 as a tenth-grader and later attended Buckeye Boys State.
“I’ve been so blessed by what The American Legion has done for me—it helped shape who I am today,” LaRue said. “So this partnership was a no-brainer. They’ve been fantastic partners.”
Robinson agreed: “Paul suggested the idea, and we ran with it. It’s been an amazing collaboration.”
A national resolution encourages American Legion departments and posts to work with their state and local America 250 commissions. A directory of commission contacts is available at america250.org/our-partners/state-and-territory-commissions.
“The American Legion is a great partner,” LaRue said. “And this is just the beginning. America’s 250th birthday is July 4, 2026—but in 12 years, we’ll celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Constitution. I see this milestone not as an ending point, but as a starting point.”