Civics team eyes national title Civics team eyes national title (March 05, 2004)

Funding for Washington trip $18,000 short
by Teresa C. Brown

With the days counting down, 19 seniors at Amador Valley High School are studying in preparation to represent California in Washington, D.C., in early May at the national "We the People..." civics competition.

Students have collected $6,807 of the $25,000 needed to fund the six-night, seven-day trip. However, they have to collect the $25,000 by next week, said Amador civics teacher Matt Campbell. If the students do not collect the funds, parents will have to subsidize the difference.

The team took state honors in the competition that tests their knowledge of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Beginning with a 12-week program, the students study the political philosophy and events leading up to the Constitution; the Constitutional Convention; political parties; judicial review; civil liberties; the Bill of Rights; and citizenship.

With the classroom time of the program now over, the students continue to study on their own to earn the national title. Divided into small groups of three or four, the students prepare a perfectly timed four-minute presentation to deliver before a panel of judges. Following the presentation, the students must field ad lib questions posed to them by the judges, which will test the students' knowledge as well as communication skills.

All of the 19 students are committed to the program. "It's cool," said Tony d'Albora, who said the program is for "normal" students. "You don't have to be the most intelligent." However, he said what the program has taught him is significant. "I can talk a lot about the Constitution and how it relates to being a citizen."

Logan Daniels said the program reaffirms the importance of knowing all sides of an issue. "It's better to know both sides to a story," he said.

To see the team in action, the public is invited to the team's dress rehearsal scheduled at 7 p.m., Monday, April 26, in the City Council chamber, 200 Old Bernal Ave.

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Civics National Finals Fund, Amador Valley High School, 1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton 94566-6176.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.