Campus Scene

Middle School Students Exhibit Constitutional Expertise

In March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States was ratified, bringing into law the principle of government by “We, the people of the United States.”

In July, 2000, the U.S. Congress and Senate unanimously passed a resolution decrying the poor state of history education in the United States and called for reforms to address a “crisis of historical illiteracy.”

On Jan. 19, 2004, the 15th annual “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” competition was held at Grossmont College, under guidelines of a national program directed by the Center for Civic Education, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

La Mesa Middle School students anticipated the beginning of the first round of questions from volunteer judges.

The competition brought hundreds of junior high and middle school students to campus to conduct a hands-on exercise in democracy before a mock congressional committee. The students had trained and practiced for weeks to present themselves knowledgeably in debate before the “committee.”

“The Constitution is the foundation of our participatory democracy,” Grossmont College President Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., told the participants in Room 220. Seven teams of students from Coronado, El Cajon, Hillsdale Middle School, La Mesa and Oak Grove were in the competition. La Mesa and Hillsdale fielded two teams.

The Hillsdale Middle School-Bartlett team successfully defended their status as overall champions.

“Students must make a firm commitment in order to be here, keep good grades, and work hard, without missing after school meetings," said Ken Parks, parent of Hillsdale student Christian Parks. “This is all worth it because students learn all about the government.”

Competition judges included Grossmont faculty and public officials from the local, state and federal agencies. One of the judges was Grossmont College President Emeritus Erv Metzgar, who is enthusiastic about the program because “It is a pleasure to observe young people who feel so strongly about the Constitution of the United States and the difficulties early leaders went through to develop it. The students are extremely inspiring.” Sponsors were Grossmont College, San Diego County congressional representatives, the Elk’s Lodge of El Cajon, and the Kiwanis Club.