05/12/2025

Students to Convene at Capital University Law School for Civics Showcase

COLUMBUS (May 6, 2025) – Why did the Founders think freedom of speech was so important? Based on the Declaration of Independence, what are the principles of good government? 

These are a sampling of the questions that middle school students have been preparing to answer at the 2025 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution State Showcase to be held Friday, May 16 at Capital University’s Law School building in Columbus. 

Approximately 80 students from two different schools will participate: Berea Midpark Middle School (Cuyahoga County) and Sycamore Junior High School (Hamilton County). 

Students will showcase their understanding of important constitutional principles by presenting and evaluating positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. After providing prepared answers to competition questions, students will then answer follow-up questions in the format of simulated legislative hearings. Competition judges include attorneys and other community leaders. 

“Having a strong understanding of the foundations of our government is important for young people today,” said Danielle Rains, We the People program coordinator. “It is the cornerstone of being informed, participating in our democracy and becoming active members of their community.”  

We the People is administered in Ohio by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) and is a national program of the Center for Civic Education. OCLRE is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system. OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio State Bar Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation. We the People is additionally funded, in part, by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation. For more information, please visit www.oclre.org. 

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