(Oklahoma City – Jan. 20) – Enid High School students will head to the State Capitol Saturday to participate in the statewide “We the People…The Citizen and the Constitution” competition. The annual competition involves simulated congressional hearings that give the students the opportunity to evaluate, take and defend positions on historical and contemporary issues. The competition kicks off at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Hearing Rooms.

To prepare for the program, the students have studied a curriculum that focuses on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution. For competition, each team will form six small groups with each group making remarks on a different topic in the hearing format. Following prepared presentations, students must answer questions, and judges score the team on its efforts in both segments.

“The We the People instructional program curriculum enhances students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy,” said Oklahoma Bar Association Law-related Education Coordinator Jane McConnell. “Our simulated congressional hearings provide an avenue for high school students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles. The results of a nationwide research study affirm that students utilizing the We the People curriculum display significantly greater ‘political tolerance’ and commitment to principles and values of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

The Enid team will compete against teams from Norman High School and Rock Creek in Bokchito in hopes of advancing to the national competition. Educator Cheri Franklin is the We the People program district coordinator for the team members, and Matthew Holtzen is their teacher. Competing students are: Tricity Andrew, Annie Balden, Phillip Fischaber, Aly Gideon, Laura Good, Steven Goodwin, Kaitlin Hill, Joey Johnson, Kat Ruiz, Mariam Said, Juan Sanchez, Tristan Schwartz, Amanda Siegersma, Briana Siegersma, Monte Thorson and Elijah Weber.

“The We the People...the Citizen and the Constitutionprogram is valuable because students leave my class excited about their potential to change the future,” said Enid High School teacher Matthew Holtzen. “They truly understand their fundamental rights and the important role they play as a citizen. Their involvement in the program translates to action on their part.”

We the People is sponsored by the California-based Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The OBA administers the We the People program locally through its Law-related Education Program.