Lucas Weiss, the AP Government teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy, is looking for five to eight attorneys (or judges) to judge the “We the People” program he is running at the Academy on March 31, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with a break for lunch.
“We the People” is a civics education program sponsored by the California-based Center for Civics Education. They sponsor a competition that culminates with simulated congressional hearings where students testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress. In addition to state competitions across the country, every spring, the Center hosts the We the People National Finals and National Invitational for high school and middle school students in the Washington, D.C., area.
The St. Johnsbury program on March 31 will include the 11 students in the Academy’s AP Government class. The day will consist of six 30-minute hearings: 20 minutes for the hearing (four-minute presentation, six minutes for questions, 10 minutes feedback) and then 10 minutes for the judges to score and comment. Lucas advises that there is no expectation that judges will stay for the whole day. However, being able to do at least two units would be helpful. To see the topics to be covered at the hearing, click here. To see a scoring rubric, click here.
Lucas says that the format is not as formal as congressional hearings, but it is nonetheless a rigorous environment, and judges should both be well-versed in the unit areas and interested in engaging in compelling discussion with students around those areas.
If you can serve as a judge, or to get further details, or ask any questions, please contact Lucas Weiss: lucas.weiss@stjacademy.org or on his cell phone, 646-229-1835.
Thank you!
