Government Students Receive Award in "We the People" Competition

Unit Five Award of Distinction

February 07, 2017

On Monday, February 6th, Mr. Swenson's Government Class traveled to Manhattan to participate in a "We the People" government competition.

The students were split into groups of four, and had to prepare two essays on a unit in the textbook. Several topics were covered including: Natural Rights Philosophy, Classical Republicanism, Voting Rights, Immigration Policies, and Issuing Warrants. Once these essays were written, students had to present them and answer questions asked by experts in the field. One judge even had experience working in the Kansas Supreme Court.

There were six units within the competition, and students prepared two essays for each unit. Once the judges entered the room, they selected which essay would be presented. Students then had four minutes to present their papers, and then six minutes of questioning. After all six rounds, the students gathered in K-State's Forum Hall for the Awards Ceremony.

There was an overall award given to the schools who placed in the top three of all six units, and also awards given to the team who did the best in each unit. Our Unit Five Group received the Award of Distinction. Students who participated in Unit Five were: Taitem Zeigler, Tyler Lund, Shayla Griffin, Adrian Buzzell, and Sonny Gridley.

The Seniors who went on this educational venture agree that the effort put into writing and presenting these essays was worth the experience. It was an educational and enriching day had by all of those who attended.