“Was the Declaration of Independence basically an ‘anti-federalist’ document?” “How did Lincoln justify taking away constitutionally protected property rights when issuing the Emancipation Proclamation?” These were the kinds of questions about the U.S. Constitution and U.S. political history that confronted the 22-student team from Saipan Southern High School this weekend during the annual We the People national competition. The Manta Rays represented the Northern Mariana Islands against teams from 51 other U.S. states and territories.
On Monday, the team and their five teacher/coaches met with Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, who welcomed the scholars to their congressional office on Capitol Hill, where the Constitution is practiced every day.
The 22 students: Randall Abigunia, Ashley Valiente Alejo, Carmen V. Borja, Chelsea C. Borja, Shelane Borja, Shanie Torres Camacho, Melvin Castro, Desiree Rei E. Cepeda, Soo Jin Choi, Lallane Guiao, Dae Hwan Jung, Ji Hyun Kim, Do Yi Lee, Elivina Maglona, Patricia Palacios, Jane Rhee, Hannah Isabel Shai, Min Jung Song, Rachel Sumor, Miki Roberto, Zachary F. Sablan, and Richie Houhong Xu, and Saipan Southern teacher Gerald C. Russell are seen in the photo above with Congressman Sablan. Coaches Rita Villagomez, Steven Gardiner, Justice John Manglona, and Steve Smith also visited their congressional office.
We the People is funded by Congress through the Education for Democracy Act.
