MHS team returns from DC competition

A team from Marianas High School finally returned home after competing in one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the nation.

The 22 students who participated this year were from the MHS AP U.S. Government Class who triumphed over other high school teams from the Marianas Baptist Academy and Mount Carmel School to represent the CNMI in the annual “We The People Competition” held in Washington, D.C.

It was the first time that the CNMI took part in the nation’s annual academic competition and according to the AP class instructor and one of the group’s chaperones, Dr. Chas Algaier, “the students did very well.”

MHS 12th grader Anne Ermitanio, one of the students who participated in the program this year, said the trip altered how she views the government.

“I am now able to really relate to it and apply the Constitution to whatever I do; and I know it definitely benefits my future,” Ermitanio said. “Being able to know about your government and going to the mainland is really beneficial because it’ll help you understand your rights and duties as a citizen.”

Twelfth grader Rachel Reyes, who also participated in the competition this year, said the program gives opportunities to a bigger number of students compared to the other programs available to high school students in the CNMI.

“Instead of focusing on individuals [or selected students] that we send off for the NFL [National Forensic League], Close-up Club, or the Mock Trial, the ‘We The People’ program raised the bar of education for all civics-related educational programs in the CNMI.”

She said the “We The People” program provided that “extra incentive” to students to travel to the mainland giving them the desire to learn more.

This year’s “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” featured an intensive curriculum that provided students with comprehensive instruction on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the principles and values they embody. The program is designed to promote an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our constitutional democracy.

Students demonstrated their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution before simulated congressional committees made up of constitutional scholars, lawyers, journalists, and public officials.

Twelfth grader Syrille Manacop said the group prepared for one month before the national competition. “I think we all did our best and prepared. We worked as a team,” she added.