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Seen here is Unit 4 from Plainfield High School at State Finals. Joshua Meacham, Fatima Khan, Shane Authenreith, and Alexander Dunfee answered Question 2: During the debate over ratification of the Constitution, many Americans were fearful of creating a "'mighty and splendid President,' who possessed power 'in the most unlimited manner' that could be easily abused." Were those fears well founded or not? What evidence can you offer to support your response? How and why has presidential power expanded? What are some of the principal means by which the powers of the president can be limited? After making their four-minute response, they proceeded into a ten-minute followup session, where they openly spoke without the use of notes. |
Where We Are, and What it Took:
We the People is a competition based class. Each competition tests knowledge about the U.S. Constitution, with topics ranging from Ancient Greek philosophy to the Expansion of Executive Power. A team is broken down into six units. Each "Unit" is expected to deliver a prepared four-minute statement based on a provided topic question, then enter a closed-book followup session where a panel of judges can ask any related question. In Indiana, there are three competitions that must be bested before deserving a spot in nationals.
First is the District Competition. Each Congressional District has one or more teams that compete for a chance to advance to the State Competition. At District, each unit goes through one hearing.
Second is the State Competition, where ten teams compete for a chance to move on to the Finals Round. Each unit undergoes two separate hearings, ultimately allowing the team to be judged based off the performance of each unit. Only the top three teams from the State Competition move on.
The Finals Round includes the top three teams in the State, where each unit goes through another hearing in order to determine which team will represent the State at Nationals.
The 2012-2013 We The People class finished in 10th place at the We The People National Competition.
First is the District Competition. Each Congressional District has one or more teams that compete for a chance to advance to the State Competition. At District, each unit goes through one hearing.
Second is the State Competition, where ten teams compete for a chance to move on to the Finals Round. Each unit undergoes two separate hearings, ultimately allowing the team to be judged based off the performance of each unit. Only the top three teams from the State Competition move on.
The Finals Round includes the top three teams in the State, where each unit goes through another hearing in order to determine which team will represent the State at Nationals.
The 2012-2013 We The People class finished in 10th place at the We The People National Competition.