This year, Faith students of the AP Government class will be taking part in the We the

People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program and compete against other schools, in

hopes of making it to state. The program promotes civic competence and responsibility to

students participating in the competition. More than 28 million students and 75,000 educators

have participated in the We the People Program since it started in 1987.

“I felt it would be a fun way for students in my AP class to learn about the Constitution.

Second, its a competition and I believe when you can make learning competitive, students

will be more engaged in the learning and ultimately rise to the challenge of wanting to do

their best,” said Mr. Watts, AP Government teacher.

Students are currently practicing congressional hearing simulations during their class time.

Each group or team prepares a four-minute long opening statement for three different unit

questions from the We the People textbook. After presenting their opening statements, each

team must put away any notes or papers and face a ten minute long period, where any

follow-up question concerning government may be asked by a judge.

The AP Government students have been hard at work, practicing for the competition. In

addition to working with teammates in class, the students have also taken part in their own

in-house We the People competition on the Faith Lutheran campus. Both AP Government

classes came together for a simulation of the We the People competition, where each team

presented their unit responses and answered a variety of follow-up questions.

“The in-class congressional hearing simulations have helped us since we have learned how

to handle the nervousness that comes with answering the tough questions from judges

without much preparation,” said Austin Prather, a student of the AP Government class.

The competition curriculum has certainly made AP Government a more challenging class for

this year’s students. Even though participating in the We the People competition has helped

students prepare for the event, the program has also had an effect on students themselves.

“I know how to work in a team better and more efficiently and my public speaking has really

improved,” said student Makensi Johnson, “Now every time I watch the news I try and see

how the Constitution applies and what the government’s role in the situation is.”

Students are constantly working to improve their essays and knowledge of the Constitution

and government history. With such focus and determination, the classes are hopeful of

qualifying for the state round.

“I think we’ll make it to state as long as everyone is committed and focused. We have some

very bright people in our class to lead the charge and win some units,” said Prather.

On December 13, Faith Lutheran’s AP Government classes will head into their first We the

People competition against other local high schools including Bishop Gorman and Basic

High School. With polished speeches in hand and a pocket-full of government knowledge,

Faith’s AP Government students will work to make it to the state competition.