The Mountain States Policy Center: Teaching Liberty Through Competition 

On May 2, 2026, teams from Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming came together at the Idaho State Capitol to battle for the “We the Students: Mountain West Civics Cup.” The event was a regional high school competition aimed at engaging students in the study of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.   

Mountain States Policy Center staged the event with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Heritage Foundation as a winner of an America’s 250th Innovation Prize. The prize is a national program recognizing creative projects that strengthen civic education and public understanding of American founding principles as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. 

The event saw the teams compete in a mix of fast-paced quiz-style questions and applied leadership challenges, advancing from virtual preliminaries to in-person state rounds and a livestreamed regional final.

 Xavier 1, a team from Xavier Charter School in Twin Falls, Idaho—comprised of Vita Wyatt, Grace Achurry-Guerry, Olivia Aiello, and Eleanor Nunnelley—won the 2026 “We the Students” Civics Bowl, taking home a grand prize of $7,000. 

The Daily Signal spoke to Mountain States Policy Center about their project at the time of the award and discussed the impact they hope it achieves.  

“It is important to celebrate America, especially given our 250th birthday,” Chris Cargill, president of Mountain States Policy Center, told the Daily Signal.  

“ Mountain West Policy Center is looking forward to honoring these kids and allowing an opportunity of civic education for them.” Cargill continued.   

Founded in 2022 and based in Coeur d’Alene and Boise, Idaho, Mountain States Policy Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on research and outreach that promotes free enterprise, individual liberty, and limited government across the Mountain West.  

It is the first multi-state policy organization of its kind in the region, serving Idaho, Eastern Washington, Montana, and Wyoming by educating policymakers, media, young leaders, and the public on how free markets and limited government can drive prosperity and opportunity.  

The “We the Students: Mountain West Civic Cup” will continue to be an annual event in hopes of renewing involvement in American civics. “Our goal is to make sure every student knows that the civic cup is not just a one-year thing,” Cargill said.

 “We hope to continue the Civic Cup each and every year after this, and to get more and more people excited about American history and civic involvement, as well as involved in their government. If we can engage more folks each year and make them excited to be American, we feel like we will be victorious.”  

Mountain States Policy Center’s work extends beyond policy research to include public events, leadership programs, and educational initiatives aimed at fostering civic knowledge and engagement. The Civics Cup complements these efforts by strengthening students’ understanding of the foundations of American self-government and encouraging civil discourse and competition. 

Other America’s 250th Innovation Prize Round Two winners included:

• Constituting America
• Harlan Institute
• The Moving Picture Institute
• Wedgwood Circle  

Round One winners of the America’s 250th Innovation Prize:

• Creative Studio to Release Video Series for America’s 250th Anniversary 
• Faith Group Wins Innovation Prize for America’s 250th Celebration
• ‘A First of Its Kind’: Bestselling Author Crafts American Fable Collection
• Catholic Nonprofit Develops Resources to Inspire Patriotism
• Virginia Nonprofit Wins Prize to Create US History Documentaries for Nation’s 250th Anniversary