Charlie Couch, a fifth-grader from Meadows Elementary in Ralston and a student in Benjamin Billesbach’s class, has been elected as Nebraska’s first Kid Governor®. Charlie won the statewide election after hundreds of fifth-graders viewed campaign videos, weighed candidates’ ideas, and cast ballots between Nov. 3-12.
Charlie ran on a platform focused on cancer awareness, an issue she identified as critically important to young people across the state. Her plan outlined specific steps that students can take in their own schools and communities, reflecting both her concern for her peers and her belief that fifth-graders can be powerful agents of change.
“This victory is not just mine,” Charlie told a raucous assembly of fellow students at Meadows, as well as statewide audiences watching along, on Monday. “It belongs to every fifth grader in Nebraska who wants to make a real difference in our state.”
Charlie will begin her one-year term on Jan. 13, 2026, when she is sworn in during a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol. Joining her in leadership are the six runners-up, who will serve as her Kid Governor’s Cabinet: Alma White, Eila Rohlfsen, Kenzlie Reed, Reid Maulsby, Will Milliken, and Victoria Vargas. Together, they will work with Civic Nebraska and community partners to put their platforms into action, collaborate on statewide student-led initiatives, and elevate youth voices on issues that matter to Nebraska communities.
“This first group of Nebraska Kid Governor finalists blew all of us away with their thoughtfulness, their empathy, and their determination to improve the world around them,” said Juan Milan, Civic Nebraska’s Youth Civic Leadership Programs Manager.
“Charlie and the Cabinet members showed a level of care, curiosity, and commitment well beyond their years. We are eager to guide and support them as they bring their ideas to life in their schools and communities.”
Kid Governor® is a national, award-winning civics program created by the Connecticut Democracy Center. This year marks its debut in Nebraska, with Civic Nebraska leading the statewide implementation.
The program introduces fifth graders to civic life through a hands-on experience that mirrors real democratic participation: learning about state government, identifying community issues, developing three-point platforms, recording campaign videos, engaging in classroom primaries, and voting in a genuine statewide election.
Throughout the fall, Nebraska classrooms used the program’s curriculum to practice research, civil discourse, collaboration, and public-spirited leadership. For many students, this was their first real experience with civic action and community problem-solving.
As Nebraska’s inaugural Kid Governor and Cabinet begin their work, they will continue to meet with Civic Nebraska to plan, prioritize, and implement their shared goals. Over the coming year, these young leaders will gain experience in communication, teamwork, and community outreach, all while demonstrating the positive impact that young Nebraskans can have when given the tools and encouragement to lead.
For more about Nebraska’s Kid Governor® program, visit ne.kidgovernor.org.
