LPS teams show off constitutional knowledge, qualify for nationals

Teams from Lincoln East and Lincoln Southeast high school qualified for the national competition for the We the People program, which promotes civic responsibility and knowledge about the history and principles of U.S. constitutional democracy.

East finished first at the We the People state-level competition, held Dec. 17 at the University of Nebraska College of Law, while Southeast finished second. Teams from Southwest and North Star high school also competed.

East and Southeast now advance to the national competition, held in April in Washington, D.C. East is coached by Kevin Rippe; Southeast by Dave Nebel.

As part of the state competition, students participated in a simulated congressional hearing in which they testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles and have opportunities to evaluate, take and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues.

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