The Vermont State Finals of the We the People: The
Citizen and the Constitution took place at the Vermont History Museum and
Statehouse Pavilion yesterday. After a hiatus in attendance due to the
elimination of federal funding for the program, Martha Deiss, Global Citizen
Specialist at the Agency of Education, kickstarted, organized and facilitated
this year’s competition so that Vermont could send a team to Washington,
D.C. VBA member volunteers jumped at the
opportunity to judge the students at the event, to the extent that we had to
turn volunteers away!
Students from St. Johnsbury Academy, Poultney High School
and Williamstown High School competed and impressed at the event. Judges were
blown away by the students’ knowledge, poise and passion for civics as they
presented arguments on issues ranging from voting rights to separation of
powers, from citizenship to populism and everything in-between. Each team of three students are given 4
minutes to present on questions chosen by the judges from a list of potential
questions provided to the students in advance.
After these presentations, the fun really began as the students were
peppered with follow-up questions for six minutes-- questions not provided in
advance.
As the students explored basic constitutional provisions on issues
relating to voting rights, due process, shared sovereignty, speech and the
like, they quickly pulled historical and current examples to the fray, not
shying away from hot topics such as non-citizen voting, marijuana legislation
and the rise of nationalism. All involved couldn’t help but be awash with pride
as so many young people engaged in meaningful discourse regarding civics. Kudos
to the teacher-coaches for prepping these amazing students who will undoubtedly
and forever be engaged citizens!
Each high school team was asked a specific question from
each of 6 units: (1) What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of
the American Political System; (2) How Did the Framers Create the Constitution;
(3) How Has the Constitution Been Changed to Further the Ideals Contained in
the Declaration of Independence; (4) How Have the Values and Principals
Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and Practices; (5)
What Rights Does the Bill of Rights Protect and (6) What Challenges Might Face
American Constitutional Democracy in the Twenty-First Century? Winners were
awarded for each of the 6 units, with the team with the most unit-wins being
crowned the overall State Champion. Congratulations to all unit winners and to
St. Johnsbury Academy for taking home the trophy! Enjoy the pictures from the event,
including the pizza party awards ceremony, below.
Special thanks to our attorney judges: Megan Campbell,
Lauren Curran, Dylan Giambatista, Jacob Humbert, Evan Meehan, Keith Roberts,
Jenny Ronis, Avi Springer, Alfonso Villegas and Leslie Welts, to Martha and her
volunteers and to all the folks at the Vermont History Museum and Vermont
Building & Grounds.
