Congratulations to the West Virginia State “We the People” Champions on representing West Virginia in the National Competition in Washington DC. This is a competition where students demonstrate their knowledge of the Constitution and current issues in mock congressional style hearings. Each school participating must divide its classes into six teams. These six teams prepare a four minute verbal response to a constitutional question and then are asked follow up questions by a panel of three judges for six minutes. Teams are scored on their knowledge of the Constitution and their ability to apply the concepts to their everyday lives as Americans.
This year’s team began preparing back in June for the competition by attending a voluntary Constitutional day camp, under the leadership of Dr. Michelle Samples, to acquire foundational knowledge so that when the school year started in August, intense training could begin. These students show that hard work and dedication pays off and success does not come without sacrifice. While in Washington DC, in addition to competing in national competition, students visited the Capital, Supreme Court Building, Library of Congress, the Memorials, Arlington, Mount Vernon, Washington Monument, National Cathedral, National Archives, and the Smithsonian’s to name a few. These students not only represented the State of West Virginia in National Competition, but also,learned more about our nation’s Capital, heritage, andour government institutions in person. This experience provided a memory of a lifetime, as well as a meaningful educational opportunity.
Members of the class are Isaac Brown, Christina Brown, Holt Dawson, Hunter Evans, Alexis Gilliland, Jonathan Hill, Trey Lindenthal, Dylan McCumbers, Ethan Morris, Stephanie Naylor, Madison Paxton, Isaiah Payton, Aiden Taylor, Kylie Taylor, Ivy Taylor and Kirsten Woods. Mr. Phil Dobbins and Mrs. Michelle Paxton chaperoned the trip and Brenda Griffin drove the bus. The Washington DC trip was made possible through fundraising efforts and donations of local businesses and individuals. Business and individual donations were from the following: Dave Pierson and Pierson’s Lumber, Bruce Cunningham and Cunningham Motors, Greg Gency and Clay County Bank, Clay County Board of Education, Clay Family Pharmacy, Gabe Hubbard Dentistry, Bowen Dental, BJ and Krechella Evans, Mike Mullins, Melinda Isaacs, Clay Elementary Cooks, Clay High Cooks, Jerry Linkinoggor, Jeffery Krauklis, Mary and Larry Ramsey, Joe and April Dawson, Joe and Michelle Paxton, Jim and Joan Haynie, Danny Fitzwater, Carrie Dunmire, Marie Haynes, Dr. Patel Family, Steve White, Mistie Legg, Megan Starcher, parents/guardians, and the community.