SHS 'We the People' team qualifies for state

On Dec. 8, the Saratoga High School team of seniors in the “We are the People” competition qualified for the Wyoming State Finals to be held in Laramie, Jan. 26. The Saratoga team was the only 2A team to move forward, the rest of the teams were from 4A schools that participate in an advanced placement government course.

The senior class traveled to Casper Dec. 8 to compete against sutdents from across the state in the Congressional District Qualifier for “We the People: The Citizen ad the Constitution.”

Jason Williams, the Saratoga High School history teacher, said the team competed against 16 teams and placed in the top six to advance to state finals.

The “We the People” program is a national program that teaches students about the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the founding of the United States.

“The curriculum is rigorous and challenging with in-depth topics, including the historical and philosophical foundations of the American political system; how the Framers created the Constitution; how the Constitution has been changed to further the ideals contained in the Declaration of Independence; how the values and principles embodied in the Constitution have shaped American institutions and practices; rights protected by the Bill of Rights; and the challenges faced by American Constitutional Democracy in the 21st century,” Williams said.

Students are divided into teams, or units, with each team becoming an expert on one of the above-mentioned topics. The students write three separate essays responding to questions about their specific topic.

Williams said during the district competition each team appeared before a panel of judges and read one of their prepared essays. The prepared statement cannot exceed four minutes. The team is then questioned by the judges for six minutes and the team is judged on understanding, constitutional application, supporting evidence, responsiveness and participation.

Members of the team advancing to state are Hunter Mason, Kyle Bartlett, Anjellica Sampson, Andrew Oiler, Riley Randilands, Seth Harrison, Kaitlynn Snell, Tyler Hughes, Marshal Hill, Makayla Fairbanks, Peyten Fisher, Justine Fourman, Braxton Schwartzkopf, Nick Smith, Kelsie Samson, Veronica Lincoln, Jake Sturgis and Lydia Smith.