Congressional Record Recognition of Michigan We the People State Champions by Hon. Mike Rogers

“Twenty-nine exceptionally bright students from Howell High School in Michigan won a competition on their knowledge of the Constitution. As the winners of this competition , they came to Washington, D.C. the last weekend in April to participate in the national finals of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program.

The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution’ program, administered by the Center for Civic Education, helps elementary and secondary students build a strong foundation of knowledge of the history and philosophical influences of the Constitution. The knowledge gained from this experience teaches the students about civic responsibility and how to enhance and uphold the democracy of this nation.

The final activity in this program, which took place April 27-29, gave students the opportunity to “testify” in a simulated congressional hearing. This experience allows them to utilize and demonstrate their understanding and teaches them how to evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues based on constitutional principles. I am happy to announce that the Howell High team won the Outstanding Unit Six award. Overall the team finished 16th in the nation with Unit One also placing in the top ten and Unit Two finishing 14th overall.

I am honored and proud to recognize the achievements of these students, they are Unit One: Heather Buja, Brody Kutt, Aaron Osborne; Unit Two: David Grusendorf, Lauren Lomasney, Nicole Trudeau, Jason Wisby; Unit Three: Ashley Carignan, Megan Isom, Jeremy Johnson, Sarah Kenney, Francesca Mettetal, Benjamin Schultz; Unit Four: Katherine Beard, Dillon Higgins, Adam Hukkala, Samantha Rineman, Christina Szkrybalo, Jake Tholen; Unit Five: Michael Beard, Grant Bowman, Jarrid Rector-Brooks, Erika Seneca!, Karsyn Textor; and Unit Six: Breanne Casper, Nadja Grauer, Abigail Harrington, Andreja Petrulis, Jonathon Reck. I also recognize Linda Start, the Michigan state coordinator for the “We the People …..” program.

I would also like to applaud Mark Oglesby, the teacher who has led the Howell High School class to this national competition after eleven years of competing in the state of Michigan.

It was a pleasure to meet these students while they were here and I wish them the best in their future endeavors”.

The Congressional Record is available here.

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