Pennington Traditional Students Earn State Recognition at We the People Finals

Students from Pennington Traditional School demonstrated strong research, public speaking, and civil discourse skills at the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Middle School State Finals, earning a second-place title.

Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People competition challenges middle school students to explore six units of study focused on the U.S. Constitution and foundational constitutional democracy. Teams prepare in-depth responses and participate in live hearings where they present their ideas and respond to follow-up questions posed by judges.

During the competition, judges evaluate students on their understanding of constitutional principles, historical events, and current issues, as well as their ability to think critically, respond thoughtfully under pressure, and work collaboratively as a team.

According to Erin Merrill, social studies teacher at Pennington Traditional School, participation in We the People offers learning that extends well beyond the classroom. “Students learn that civics and history are not just academic subjects,” Merrill said. “They become more aware of current events and understand how those issues connect to constitutional principles.” 

For many students, the experience was both academically and personally transformative. Seventh grader Aadya Pokharel shared that joining the team exceeded expectations. “When I signed up for We the People, I expected it to be a club that helped me learn about government,” shared Pokharel. “But it became a place where I learned how to express myself and discuss important political and social issues with my peers. It sparked a love for civics and helped shape who I want to be.”

Preparing for the state finals required students to develop a wide range of skills beyond research and writing, including public speaking, active listening, nonverbal communication, and respectful dialogue.

Eighth grader Jossian Beshai, a first-time competitor, said the experience helped build confidence. “At first, I was nervous stepping into something new, but that didn’t last long,” said Beshai. “The competition wasn’t about memorizing perfect answers—it was about sharing your perspective, listening to others, and engaging in real discussions. It gave me the confidence to speak up about what’s happening in the world.”

For Sidra Sulliman, an eighth grader who has participated in We the People for three years, the state competition marked a meaningful milestone. “I’ve gained so much knowledge through We the People—it helped me in civics class and even U.S. history,” said Sulliman. “The competition atmosphere and being around like-minded students made the experience unforgettable, and earning success this year makes all the hard work worth it.”