Students test knowledge of Constitution, Bill of Rights
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Voting is one of the "most amazing rights" a person has, said St. Philip Catholic School eighth-grader Lydia Allerellie.
On Tuesday, Allerellie, 13, was part of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition, an in-depth study of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. More than 275 middle and high school students competed in mock Congressional hearings at the Old National Events Plaza.
"This is great practice for us to say our beliefs and have our own opinions with facts to back it up," Allerellie said. "And if we ever run for mayor or something we would be able to present ourselves well."
Mark Kirkman has taught the course at St. Philip for six years. He said civic education often gets overlooked, and some people don't take the time to learn.
"It's good for them, at this age, to start forming political opinions," he said, "so when they get to voting age, they understand what they're doing."
The nationwide curriculum started in 1987. Locally, it's led by co-coordinators Vickie Puffer and Tiffany Ball. New this year, Indiana is divided into regions, with 31 counties in the southern region. Three high schools and six middle schools competed in Evansville.
Teams are split into six units that focus on particular aspects of the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Each unit testifies before volunteer judges and then has the chance to evaluate, take and defend positions on relevant historical and current event issues.
The goal is to strengthen students' comprehension of the history and principles of the documents through a variety of critical thinking and problem-solving activities. Organizers hope the class encourages civic competence and responsibility so students can participate as effective, responsible citizens.
"So many people in our generation don't understand the necessity of history," said North High School senior Tyler Maassen, 17. "Some people wonder why we have to take it. But it's so cool to see how history does repeat itself and how all those ideas carry over."
North senior Audrey Ferguson said the class has given her a voice and the knowledge to back it up. Ferguson, 18, said she is treated like an adult in the class. And she appreciates the open-minded atmosphere of being knowledgeable on both sides of an argument.
"I've never been a history buff," she said. "Until now, where I see how cool is it that you can use history in a way that is so effective for what you're doing today to make a difference in what's going on. ... Often times in school, you go through your classes and sometimes wonder 'When am I ever going to use this?' But you use everything within this class."
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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com