For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Christi Powers
State Bar of Wisconsin
(608) 250-6025 |
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Grantsburg Middle School students earn statewide recognition
State Bar of Wisconsin hosts public policy competition
MADISON, June 12, 2001 - Students from Grantsburg
Middle School earned Awards of Merit from the "We the
People...Project Citizen" statewide competition for their creative
efforts in researching and devising solutions to three public policy
issues - government debt, the cost of higher education, and problems
with exotic species in the lakes, specifically zebra mussels. The
students spent a semester studying policy issues of their choice and
developed implementation plans, under the direction of teacher Grachia
Solie.
The students did extensive research and even sent letters outlining
their concerns to their legislators. U.S. Senator Russ Feingold replied
to the students, encouraging their future participation in
government.
"The caliber of the entries clearly demonstrates that the students
successfully worked together to find innovative solutions to societal
problems," said retired teacher Jack Jarmes, state coordinator for
Project Citizen." "I can't think of a better way to teach kids about the
inner workings of government."
Project Citizen is a civic education program for middle school
students to promote competent and responsible participation in state and
local government. The students' final product is a large portfolio
displaying their work.
The competition, held at State Bar Center in Madison on June 9, was
sponsored by the Wisconsin Law Foundation, the State Bar of Wisconsin,
the Center for Civic Education, the National Conference of State
Legislatures and the U.S. Department of Education. A panel of seven
judges-state legislators, government leaders, and marketing
professionals - scored the entries based on completeness, clarity, and
graphics. There were 10 entries representing four schools statewide.
Grantsburg students earned 3rd, 7th and 9th place.
For more information on other State Bar law-related education
efforts, visit www.legalexplorer.com/education,
or contact Dee Runaas at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191.
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