We The People

Thirty-four Northwest High seniors brought home a top 25 finish after participating in the paramount U.S. Constitution competition in the nation. The students traveled to Washington D.C. from April 28 to May 2 to compete nationally after winning the state competition for the 10th year in a row in February.

“We the People" is a program in which educators at elementary, middle and high schools teach a curriculum on the foundations of the U.S. Constitution as well as modern issues. Students engage in a simulated Congressional hearing to test their knowledge of high-level concepts (not just facts). At the high school level, the hearing is very competitive.

Ray Parrish, the teacher at Northwest in charge of this program, says the competition is extremely beneficial to students because the average American knows very little about the U.S. Constitution.

“Our students gain an incredible understanding of major constitutional issues; they learn to think quickly on their feet and they come to understand the meaning of teamwork,” Parrish said. “It is a program that is absolutely essential if America is to remain ‘a government of the people.’”

At the competition, five of the students won a national award on the creation of the constitution, which helped Northwest score the high finish. The students include: Ryan Lucas, Thad McKinnon, Ben Oliver, Emily Tennant and Lindsay Womack.

This is only the third time a North Carolina team has finished in the top 25 and won a national award.