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Court News Ohio
Students
Showcase Constitutional Knowledge
May 12, 2016
After months of studying and preparing, approximately 150 students are
ready to compete at the Ohio Middle School We the People: The Citizen
and the Constitution State Showcase on May 13.
We the People, a program of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education
(OCLRE), gives students a unique opportunity to participate in
simulated congressional hearings. Students showcase their knowledge and
understanding of constitutional principles by evaluating, presenting,
and defending positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.
After providing a prepared answer to the competition questions,
students answer follow-up questions from the showcase judges, who are
college professors, judges, attorneys, and other community leaders.
Taking place on the campus of Columbus State Community College, this
year’s showcase will feature students from Dominion Middle School
(Franklin County), Harvest Preparatory School (Franklin County),
Ravenna High School (Portage County), and Sycamore Junior High School
(Hamilton County).
Among the questions students will tackle: In what ways might social
media and the World Wide Web expand the possibilities for participatory
citizenship? Why have First Amendment rights been viewed as essential
to the functioning of a free society?
“These students really become young constitutional scholars. They gain
an in-depth understanding of the history and application of the U.S.
Constitution. It’s remarkable to listen to them engage in discussions
and debate the Constitution at such a high level,” Program Coordinator
Tim Kalgreen said.
OCLRE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose goal is to improve
society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our
democratic system. OCLRE is sponsored by the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio
Attorney General’s Office, Ohio State Bar Association, and the American
Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation.
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