'We the People' hopes to increase civil engagement

WORLAND – A new two-day program curriculum at Worland High School brought in a senator, two attorneys, the mayor and a judge Monday to discuss constitutional rights with Worland High School seniors.

"We the People" challenged seniors to engage in a congressional hearing in order to demonstrate knowledge of constitutional rights while making real world connections to what they learned in the classroom.

The program, set up by the Center of Civic Education and funded by the US Department of Education, "partners with a network of 50 states civics, government and law programs sponsored by state bar associations and foundations, colleges and universities, and other civic and law non-profit organizations to promote teaching and learning about the Constitution and Bill of Rights," according to their website.

"We the People" was brought to Worland High School by U.S. government teacher Brandon Vickers after he was approached by Matt Strannigan, leader of a cohort group of the James Madison Legacy, and then became a member of the group with teachers across the state tasked with implementing the program.

"The point of the program is to inform students about the constitution and bring adults and kids together in format that asks students to process their learning at a higher rate than a multiple choice test," Vickers said.

He added, "This program encourages students to think independently and collaboratively ... so seniors could feel ownership in what they have learned, and when they become adults will be more likely to be registered and conscientious voters."

He added he hopes this program will increase voter participation, civic engagement and a sense of ownership, and noted statistics show students involved with this program have a 90-percent voter engagement level amongst other young people.

We the People

The program was set up with students being split into groups of three or four and each group was given a topic over six units ranging from different amendment rights.

One group studied the Fourth Amendment and discussed what the bill of rights protects. Their topic was how modern technology raised new challenges with the Fourth Amendment rights.

Students researched cases and issues to prepare for the debate with Worland Mayor Dave Duffy, Washakie County Attorney John Worrall, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Harrington and attorney Marci Argeris.

Vickers said he brought in these prolific county residents to up the stakes and make it more realistic for students.

"I was impressed by how hard each group worked ... When I saw them go through it, I saw pride ... [They] were invested and put a lot of hard work into it and I appreciate that," Vickers said.

The "We the People" program sponsors a competition across the state, and though Vickers opted out in the pilot year of the program, he said he hopes he can bring students to that point.

Daniel Igleheart, a senior going to Casper College in the fall, said "I think it was a fun and a good experience."

He added, "It's actually thought in school and it's something that's needed in the future. Without politics and knowledge otherwise students will vote for Donald Trump, or someone else, because he's popular."

The two-day event that ends today will serve as the senior student's final exam in U.S. government.