Salem Academy Civics Team Reaches National Finals In Washington D.C.

SALEM, MA — A group of smart, civic-minded Salem Academy Charter School students is going to Washington.

The advanced-placement government and students on the Salem Academy Navigators team qualified for the national finals of the "We The People" program through The Center for Civic Education and will get the chance to showcase their knowledge of the Constitution, its framers and the civil rights and liberties that it protects in competition against students from 47 other states.

The students will prepare testimony on subjects ranging from Constitutional philosophy to the presentation of controversies and challenges facing the country. The program is designed to help prepare students to be active and knowledgeable students.

"This is such a valuable opportunity for me to continue to improve my writing and public speaking skills, while also enhancing my understanding of government," Salem Academy senior Samantha Panneton said. "I have never been to D.C. and I am extremely excited to go.

"It will be so much fun to explore the city with my classmates and learn more about the government."

AP Government teacher and History Department Chair Rob Pelletier said the students put a great amount of work into preparing their testimony and "really wowed the state judges with their on-the-spot thinking."

He said he expects the same to happen when the students compete in Washington D.C.

"I have a strong passion for American history, so I'm excited to present my analysis of our government and the history that shaped it," senior Jake Fisher said.

While in Washington, the students will participate in simulated Congressional hearings during which students will testify as constitutional experts before panels of judges acting as Congressional committees.

The students will also have the chance to tour the nation's capital and meet with elected officials, community leaders and others to help them learn about government beyond the classroom.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)