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City honors ‘We The People’ team |
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Friday, 12 March 2010 |
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By BOB HUDSON
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BLACKFOOT — City, county and state officials have joined to honor members of Blackfoot High School’s We The People state champions.
Mayor Mike Virtue presented a proclamation recognizing the students’ accomplishments in the state competition earlier this year. Other signatories included Sen. Steve Bair and Reps. Dennis Lakes and Jim Marriott, who represent the area in the Idaho State Legislature, and county commissioners Cleone Jolley, Ladd Carter and Donavan Harrington.  (The Morning News — Bob Hudson) Mayor Mike Virtue presents a copy of a proclamation honoring members of Blackfoot High School’s We The People state champions to representatives Ramiro Maciel, Tanya Medukha and Jordan Christensen as teacher Holly Kartchner watches.
Holly Kartchner, who teaches the class on the foundations of American government, and over a dozen of her students presented a program to the Blackfoot City Lions Club on Thursday.
“The premise of the program is an in-depth study of the Constitution,” Kartchner explained. She said the students do research and write papers, then are put into teams and, in a mock congressional hearing, defend the position.
“They have to defend their position for six minutes with no notes,” Kartchner said. “These kids have to stand up and defend what they’ve learned.
“They’re much more knowledgeable than my generation,” she added.
State winners will gather in Washington, D.C., for national competition in mid-April.
Kartcher demonstrated the students’ learning by telling the Lions about each of six sections contained in the textbook and asking then asking them to show what they’ve learned.
“There’s a heavy focus on the duties and responsibilities of being American citizens,” she said. “And these kids are actually encouraged to form their own opinions.”
The foundation which sponsors the competition will pay airfare for each student, but they must earn approximately $25,000 for room and board, etc., to take the 20-member team.
To date they have raised about $8,000 through several fundraisers. The Lions Club and individual Lions donated about $800 after the presentation.
In addition, there will be a pancake supper and silent auction at the American Legion hall from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $5 each.
“This community is so tremendously generous,” Kartchner said of the money raised thus far.
Kartchner said, “this is not a program based on how much money your parents have; it’s based on, ‘are you willing to work?’”
Virtue, who has acted as a judge in helping the students prepare for competition, said, “it certainly gives us lots of hope for the future.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 March 2010 )
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