Greenwich High School Students Have the Constitution for Stiff Competition

"What do you believe are the most important principles contained in the Magna Carta? Why?"

"Explain our Founders' preference for a republican form of government versus one of direct democracy."

"Please reconcile the differences in the principles of classical republicanism versus those of a natural rights philosophy."

Imagine being given a mere four minutes to present a case in response to these questions. Following a prepared statement, there are six minutes of Q & A in which follow-up questions are asked. The panel answering the questions is not comprised of historians, congressional members or college students, but rather an academic team of high school students.

They call themselves "We The People...The Citizen and The Consitution" and their speciality is evaluating, forming and defending positions on both contemporary and historical issues through competitions on the district, state, and national levels.

"In order to form a more perfect union," the Greenwich team is formed annually under the leadership of Greenwich High School teacher Aaron Hull. The students partake in Hull's Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics/Comparative Politics class typically taken during the junior year. According to Hull, the course also allows each student to earn six college credits from the University of Connecticut's Early College Experience program.

They prepare all year for competition, which simulates Congressional Hearings and allows the students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of constitutional principles. 

When Hull arrived at GHS in 2003, he introduced the school to "We the People." Greenwich entered its first CT State Competition in 2004-2005 and starting from the 2007-2008 competition were State Champions four straight years which meant competing in the national championships as well. GHS placed in the Top 10 nationally in 2008-2009, won a Unit Award in 2009-2010 and a Regional Award in 2010-11. Last year, the team came in 2nd in the state competition.

This school year, at the We The People State competition in December, the team from Greenwich, comprised of 24 students entirely of juniors but for one sophomore, again placed second, behind Trumbull High School. However, through the wild-card selection process, the Greenwich team was selected to compete in the 26th Annual National Competition Washington D.C. from April 24 - 29, making it five times in six years.

Last year Junior Jimmy Piotrzkowski was enrolled in AP US History and decided to take the the test to qualify for the We The People class this year. In hindsight, Piotrzkowski states that the class is different than what he thought it would be in that it is much more "in depth" than he anticipated. For example, his role on the team is the "constitutional expert" stating that he has been tasked with memorizing the supreme law for the national competition later this month. 

Junior Alexandra Small joined the class with some knowledge of what she was in for from friends who were prior We The People team members. Small's favorite part of the experience is the "team atmosphere" which is embedded in trusting one another.

Both students agree on one thing; Hull is passionate about what he does and committed to the program. They must all have these qualities, given the hundreds of hours of analysis, self-critiquing and memorization that must be done in preparation for the intensive competition.

Recently, not only did Junior Elisa Martinez score a first place in the We The Students Scholarship Contest offered through the Bill of Rights Institute, but Hull was also named the recipient of the 2012 “We the Students” Teacher Prize. Hull has pledged his $100 prize to his team's trip to the national competition.

In order to help defray the cost of the team's trip to the national competition in Washington D.C. later this month, the GHS We The People team will hold a fundraiser, "Care to Constitution" from 7 to 8:45 p.m., Thursday, April 4 in the GHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10. (See attached flyer.) 

Tickets may be purchased from a team member or to help support the team, email Hull aaron_hull@greenwich.k12.ct.us to request a donation form.

To see a past We The People team in action, click here.