 On January 10, twenty-six sophomores from the Scholars Academy won South Carolina’s We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition in Columbia. This year marks Scholars’ second consecutive year winning the title. Both titles were earned under the direction of their teacher, Georgia Holley.
We the People is a nationally acclaimed program that focuses on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. It is used to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s high school students and is funded by the Center for Civic Education; it is promoted through the SC Bar Association’s Law Related Education program. Statistics show that We the People alumni are much more likely to vote and be active in government than are other citizens in their age groups. In this mock congressional hearing, students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of important constitutional principles before a panel of judges. The program encourages students to delve into what defines America as a nation and to determine the common beliefs that tie Americans together. With the support of the SC Bar Foundation through an IOLTA grant, the team will represent SC at the national competition in Washington, D.C. May 3-5. More than 1,200 high school students from all fifty states and the District of Columbia will participate in the highly prestigious academic competition on the U.S. Constitution. Participants include: Alex Ambrose, Robert Boykin, Greg Bunker, Joanna Burch, Logan Chestnut, Denrey Christy, Raquel Denis, Anna Dierksheide, Jake Dierksheide, Amber Eckersley, Stephanie Foligno, John Holton, Mary Holton, Ahmed Jaraki, Erin Kelly, Nikki King, Savannah King, Daniel Lee, Caroline Mills, Courtney Pendleton, Jordan Pilkey, Christen Shelley, Kaitlyn Trythall, Clayton Turner, Ben Ujcich and Kaylen Warren. Students cite the support of their teachers and Coastal Carolina University as instrumental to their success. The Scholars Academy was established in 2003 through a partnership between Horry County Schools and Coastal Carolina University to provide advanced learners with a quality education in a supportive learning environment. If you have questions about the program, please call 349-4117. |
