The U.S. House of Representatives today formally congratulated Denver’s East High School, repeat champions of the national civics competition “We the People.”
The House unanimously approved the resolution.
“I want to congratulate East High School for winning this highly competitive nationwide competition,” U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, said in a statement. “As a former volunteer coach of the East High School We the People program, I know first-hand the skill and expertise needed to be competitive, let alone take home back-to-back championships.
“The students at East certainly made the Mile High City proud once again.”
The 27 East High students who won the title in the three-day competition at the U.S. Capitol in May was a completely different squad than the 2007 winners, also coached by Denver lawyer Susan McHugh.
The teams research and debate constitutional issues and history.
Students are graded on opening statements and responses to follow-up questions, including the strength of evidence, depth of understanding and reasoning.
