For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Jason Westphal
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6077
jwestphal@wisbar.org |
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Eight state schools to compete in civics competition
MADISON, January 9, 2003 - Students from
Country Christian Middle School (Nashotah),
Greenfield High School, Heritage Christian Middle
School (West Allis), Heritage Christian High
School (West Allis), Merrill High School, Ripon High
School, Wauwatosa East High School and Wisconsin Dells
High School all hope to showcase their understanding of the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights this weekend by participating in a
statewide competition sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin and the
Wisconsin Law Foundation.
"We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution," a national
program directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the
U.S. Department of Education, will be held at the State Capitol on
Saturday, Jan. 11.
Under the direction of their teachers, the students spent a semester
studying the constitutional principles of a democratic government. Each
student, acting as an "expert witness" on a constitutional issue will
testify before a panel of judges serving as U.S. congressional
representatives. During the simulated congressional hearing, the
students will be asked to discuss subjects such as - how the protections
of the Bill of Rights have been developed/expanded and the roles of the
citizen in American democracy. The students are judged on constitutional
application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness and
participation.
"Wisconsin lawyers are committed to offering students and teachers
opportunities for law-related education," said State Bar President
Patricia Ballman. "Fostering public trust and confidence in the justice
system must begin in the classroom."
We the People is an educational program developed to promote civic
competence and responsibility among elementary and secondary students.
For the past 14 years, this project has involved hundreds of Wisconsin
students and teachers in the examination of the Constitution.
For more information on "We the People...The Citizen and the
Constitution," visit www.legalexplorer.com, or
contact Dee Runaas at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association,
created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a law
license in Wisconsin. With more than 20,000 members, the State Bar aids
the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides
continuing legal education for its members, and carries out initiatives
to educate the public about the legal system.
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