Churchill Dems donate pocket Constitutions to middle schoolers

On April 2, representatives of the Churchill County Democratic Central Committee donated 250 pocket Constitutions to the eighth grade U.S. history students at Churchill County Middle School.

The presentation was done in the school library, with three history classes in attendance. Kyle Rinker brought his eighth grade U.S. history students, and Lori Kaiser’s eighth grade class was brought by student teacher Cassie Marsh. Gary Jamieson’s seventh grade U.S. history students also attended. Dean of Students Brad Barton was present too.

After the students got to the library and got seated, CCDCC member Jeanette Strong began the presentation. She showed students a copy of the pocket Constitution, which includes a brief timeline of the writing of the Constitution and the text of the Declaration of Independence. She asked if anyone knew why the Constitution is so important.

Students responded that it’s the basis of our laws and how we govern our country. Strong then gave a brief summary of when and why the Constitution was written, and asked what document the Constitution had replaced. A few students knew that it had been the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was written to correct the many problems with the Articles.

One of the most amazing features of the Constitution is how short it is, yet it has lasted for over 230 years as the foundation of our system of government. The founders knew that a growing country would need to amend the document as the country developed. Strong discussed some of the amendments, including the Bill of Rights. She explained that the Bill of Rights were written because some of the founders were concerned that the Constitution itself didn’t provide enough protection for individual rights. Students were actively engaged in the discussion.

The Democrats chose to make this donation in order to help encourage knowledge of and respect for the Constitution. The pocket Constitutions were given to the two eighth grade teachers, to hand out to their students. Members of the CCDCC in attendance included Nyla Howell, chair; Edith Isidoro-Mills, treasurer; Sharon Hedges-Hiller, member-at-large; and Chuck and Nancy Parker, CCDCC members. A similar presentation will be done soon at the Oasis Academy.