HAGERSTOWN, MD (January 8, 2016) – Boonsboro High School won the State We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Hager Hall in Hagerstown. Teams of students from seven WCPS high schools participated in a simulated Congressional hearing.  The only participating teams were from Washington County: Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, North Hagerstown, Smithsburg, South Hagerstown and Williamsport high schools As the state winner, Boonsboro advances to the national competition in April.

In the simulated congressional hearing, students “testify” before a panel of judges.  The judges include representatives from federal, state and local government, as well as other community leaders. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. 

The primary goal of We the People is to promote civic competence and responsibility among students. The program helps students understand the history and principles of the Constitution and to discover the contemporary relevance of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.   The course is based on a six-unit curriculum that takes students from historical principles to the role of the citizen