'We the People' competition coming to Las Vegas

High school students from across Nevada will demonstrate their knowledge of American rights and responsibilities as they compete in the state competition of "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution."

Nevada student have studied for months to prepare for their role as experts testifying on constitutional issues in a simulated congressional hearing. The state competition will be held in Las Vegas on Feb. 4 at Canyon Springs High School.

After winning their congressional district competitions, classes advanced to the state hearings to compete for the opportunity to represent the state at the national finals to be held April 30-May 1 in Washington, D.C. Simulated congressional committees consisting of constitutional scholars, lawyers, and government leaders will judge the students' performances.

Classes competing at the state competition are Clark High School (Las Vegas, Congressional District 1), Incline High School (Incline Village, Congressional District 2), Basic High School (Henderson, Congressional District 3) and Community College High School-West (Las Vegas, occupying the wild-card slot).

Last year, the students from Incline High School won the state competition and brought home the Western Regional Award when representing Nevada at the national finals in Washington.

The "We the People" program is the most extensive education program in the country on the principles and values embodied in Constitution and Bill of Rights. Overseen by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program is implemented in every congressional district in the United States. In Nevada, "We the People" is administered by the Center for Law Related Education at the state bar of Nevada. Approximately 26.5 million students have participated in the program since its inception in 1986.

The program is a joint effort of a nationwide network of educators, civic leaders, the legal and business communities and members of Congress. Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley supports the program by attending the competitions, giving an inspirational speech and presenting the awards.

For more information about the program, contact Marcia Stribling, law related education coordinator for the state bar, at (702) 317-1408 or the Center for Civic Education at 5145 Douglas Fir Road, Calabasas, Calif. 91302, (818) 591-9321.