We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution
1st Place
Westminster Christian Academy |
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2nd Place
Jefferson City High School |
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3rd Place
Joplin High School
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Students Shine in Statewide We the People Competition
More than 350 Missouri high school students took part in the 2007 statewide We the People Competition, held in Jefferson City on January 29. The competition was the culminating event for a semester spent studying the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Teams of students held mock congressional hearings, presenting their arguments and insights into the Constitution to judges who rated their knowledge and presentation abilities.
The winning teams were: Westminster Christian Academy (Ladue), first place; Jefferson City High School, second place; and Joplin High School, third place. Other participating schools included: Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield); St. Charles High School, Jefferson Junior High School (Columbia); and West Junior High School (Columbia).
Westminst Christian Academy will advance to the Nationals in Washington, DC and compete with schools from all across the country on April 27-30, 2007.
In the 9th Grade category Jefferson Jr. High (Columbia) was the first place winner. Other schools competing were Morgan County R-II (2 teams) from Versailles, Oakland Jr. High (Columbia) Platte County R-III (Platte City). Raytown High School (Raytown) and West Jr. High (Columbia) had Showcase Teams.
Congratulations to all who participated.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is a nationally acclaimed constitutional study program for students in Grades 4-12 that promotes an understanding of the history and philosophy of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and an understanding of democracy and its institutions. The culminating activity is mock congressional hearings where students demonstrate their skills and knowledge of past and present constitutional issues of the past and present. The mock congressional hearing provide an authentic assessment tool. Missouri’s state hearings are traditionally held on the last Monday in January in Jefferson City. The highest scoring team represents Missouri at the national hearing in Washington, D.C. in late April or early May.
Both the Center for Civic Education and The Missouri Bar provide professional development opportunities for We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution and participating teachers receive a free set of classroom books.
Contact Millie Aulbur for additional information, milliea@mobar.org.