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We the People Team Gains Valuable Experience at Nationals
Effective teamwork, lots of practice and a deep understanding of public policy issues helped 18 students from Wauwatosa West High School when they represented Wisconsin at the national We the People competition in Washington, D.C. The team finished fifteenth out of 52 schools competing in the event and placed first in one category.
Just as importantly, notes teacher-coach Chad Mateske, the students (all juniors) returned to Wisconsin with insights and experience that they intend to apply in future competitions.
During the competition students serve as expert witnesses, testifying on constitutional issues in a simulated congressional hearing. Students are scored on their opening statements and answers to follow-up questions by a panel of judges, who grade the students on understanding, constitutional application, reasoning, supporting evidence, responsiveness and participation.
The Wauwatosa West team gained valuable assistance from attorneys Mark Young and Jocelyn Broman. Mateske also praised the Wauwatosa community, the State Bar and the Center for Civic Education for their financial and other support.
Team members are: Liz Barton, David Boardman, Richard Dennik, Amanda Frederick, Katie Hewett, Samantha Himmelspach, Jasmine King, Samuel Krenzien, Sean Kundinger, Molly O'Brien, Tim O'Brien, Katherine Potkonjak, Mariah Rogers, Kathryn Schmutzer, Megan Schneck, Allison Stokes, T.J. Vellinga and Taylor Wall.
“I wish everyone in Wisconsin could see the outstanding work these young people have done, both getting ready and participating in the national competition. If anyone is troubled about the future of our state and nation, I urge them to become involved in a program like We the People so they can gain the sense of pride and optimism that this team has given me,” Mateske said.
The competition includes rankings for six separate units, including “Unit 5: Protection of Rights.” Wauwatosa West’s Unit 5, consisting of Jasmine King, Megan Schneck and Katie Hewett, was ranked the best Unit 5 team in the competition. "The girls in that group were amazing both days,” Mateske said. “They just floored the judges both days. On day two they upped their game from day one in front of an Ohio State Supreme Court Justice who started his feedback portion to the girls with, 'I don't even know where to begin with what I just saw other than to say that was a wow moment.' The girls worked the hardest of all the groups and they demonstrated what hard work can do. I am very proud of all three of them."
When not involved in two rounds of competition, the students visited the WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Jefferson, FDR, and Lincoln memorials as well as Arlington Cemetery, the White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building and Library of Congress. They also went to the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, Holocaust Museum, International Spy Museum, Newseum and Ford's Theater. They met Senators Kohl and Feingold and toured the Capitol with an assistant of Representative Sensenbrenner.
"The competition was a lot of fun,” noted team member Sam Krenzien. “Learning about all the issues of the past and current time periods being able to demonstrate how they relate to each other is very interesting. Being able to go to D.C. to compete was amazing. Seeing the memorials dedicated to those who risked their lives for our country is very humbling."
Unit 5 team member Megan Schneck added that "This has been the best class that I have ever taken. Going to D.C. was a lot of hard work but it was all worth it. The competition was a little scary but I feel that our class rose to the occasion and did an amazing job."
Mateske stressed the importance of parental support for the team and the school’s Assistant Principal (and trip chaperon) Paul Thusius reported that watching the students compete helped strengthen his faith in the future of our youth and this country. “The depth of their understanding regarding the documents that our country was built on goes well beyond that of most college political science majors. The relationships and sense of teamwork that were built as students prepared to compete, may in the long run surpass the importance of the knowledge base that they built.”
Separately, Attorney Lindsey Draper and Dr. John Kaminski, participated in the national competition as judges. Both are active supporters of Wisconsin’s
We the People program. Additional information about the We the People program and other law-related education activities sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin can be found on legalexplorer.com, the State Bar’s legal information and educational program website.
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