ON APRIL 19, 2001, students from Milford High School will travel to Washington, DC, where they will represent NH in the national finals of We the People…, the highly prestigious academic competition on the Constitution.

The Milford students have studied for months to prepare for their role as experts testifying on constitutional issues in a simulated congressional hearing. To represent their state at the national finals, Milford won first place in congressional district and state competitions sponsored by the Bar's Law-Related Education program earlier this year. Milford has won three consecutive state titles.

The first round of the national finals will be held at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC, April 21 and 22. The competition involves entire classes making presentations and answering questions on constitutional topics before a panel of judges recruited from across the country. Constitutional scholars, lawyers and government leaders, acting as congressional committee members, will judge the students' performances. The combined scores of the classes during the first two days of hearings will determine which 10 teams will compete in the championship round April 23 in House hearing rooms on Capitol Hill. That evening, the winning classes will receive awards at a special ceremony at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The annual three-day final competition is the culminating activity of We the People…The Citizen and the Constitution, the most extensive education program of its kind in the country. The Milford students have been working with their teacher, David Alcox, since last fall to prepare for the competition. They studied We the People..., an intensive curriculum that provides students with a fundamental understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

"The enthusiasm for learning that this program brings to the students is overwhelming. I have never been involved in a program that truly captivates the student as much as this one does," said Alcox.

During their stay in Washington, the Milford students will tour historical sites and
museums in the area and will have the opportunity to visit Congressman Charles Bass (R-NH). They will have a special luncheon at the Capitol with the congressman, as well as a guided tour of the Capitol by him.

The We the People... program is funded by the US Department of Education and is directed by the Center for Civic Education in Los Angeles, California. Kirsten Hale, coordinator of the NHBA’s Law-Related Education Program, administers the program in NH. Nationwide, the program is implemented at the upper elementary, middle and high school levels and has reached more than 26.5 million students during its 14-year history.

The New Hampshire Bar Foundation contributed $1,000 to Milford High School and the students have conducted a fundraising campaign in the community to raise the estimated $8,500 needed for the trip. Additional contributions can be sent to: Milford High School, c/o We the People, 100 West St., Milford, NH 03055.

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