Cathedral High School won the Indiana central region and state We The People competitions in the Fall of 2016. They will be traveling to Washington, D.C., to compete at the National Finals which will take place April 22-24, 2017.
According to the Indiana Bar Foundation, the main sponsor of Indiana’s We The People program, “[t]he program includes: (1) an instructional component, focused on enhancing students’ understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy and discovering the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights; and (2) a culminating activity of a simulated congressional hearing in which students ‘testify’ before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.”
Put more simply, We The People is a civic education program, which promotes good citizenship and understanding of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and responsibilities of being a United States citizen. Cathedral’s 16 students have been immersed in research, writing, practices, and fundraising for several months to prepare for the National Finals. The work and time they dedicate to this rigorous program is comparable to first- and second-year law school!
Cline Farrell Christie & Lee, P.C., as a firm donated $500 toward Cathedral’s traveling expenses to participate in the National Finals. Associate attorney Kate Brown-Henry and legal assistant Barb Sharp also contributed individually toward the cause. We couldn’t be prouder of Indianapolis’ civically-engaged youth, and we look forward to hearing more about their experiences and victories in Washington D.C. over the weekend!