Brown County students honored on Statehouse floor

The Brown County Junior High School “We the People” team was honored Thursday by the Indiana General Assembly for winning the 2015-2016 state championship.

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 35, authored by Representative Eric Koch (R-Bedford), recognized the team for winning its sixth consecutive We the People state title.

Peter Hoffman, press secretary for the Indiana House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus, says the program was developed by the Center for Koch-Brown County Jr  HighCivic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. He explains that the We the People program “gives students the opportunity to learn about democracy, promotes civic responsibility and then allows them to compete in state and national competitions to test their knowledge.” Hoffman noted that since 1987, more than 28 million students have been a part of the program.

“It is quite an accomplishment for a school in one of our smallest counties to consistently win on a statewide level,” Koch said. “I am proud that these students will be representing Indiana in the national invitational.”

The team will go on to compete in the national invitational from April 29 through May 3 in Washington D.C. Organizers say the competition will simulate a congressional hearing with contestants testifying before judges who act as congressional committees. While in our nation’s capital, students will also have the opportunity to explore the city and meet elected officials and dignitaries.

“This House Resolution recognizes the accomplishments of the past and expresses our support for the future success of this program,” Koch said.

To learn more about We the People, visit www.civiced.org.