Editor’s note: The Brown County Junior High School We the People team won the state civics contest championship in December and wants to win another national title for Brown County. But first, the team needs to raise about $35,000 to get to the contest in Washington, D.C., from April 29 to May 3. Send donations payable to “Brown County We the People Junior High School” to P.O. Box 578, Nashville, IN 47448. The Brown County Democrat is featuring members of the team each week until the contest.

Sara Fishel

My name is Sara Fishel and I am in Unit 3 of this year’s We the People class. Unit 3 studies the Constitutional Convention and the three branches of government.

I enjoy We the People, because government and the formation of our Constitution is very interesting to me. Also, the class teaches us more than just about the Constitution; we learn things like how to be a better citizen in our community as well.

This has meant so much to me over the past few months and has made me realize how important it is to be informed about how our country works.

We the People has helped me see how much I love law and government, and that I could possibly pursue a career in it when I’m older.

Chloee Robison

Hello, my name is Chloee Robison; I am in Unit 2 on the We the People team. My unit of two other students studies the influences on the Founders’ ideas about government and the struggles they faced when creating the Constitution.

Participating in We the People has taught me important tasks such as how to be a better writer and to be confident in myself and my teammates. I have met many new friends through the program and have formed everlasting bonds with those in my unit.

Our team has learned and grown together through our journey so far, and for me, reaching the national level of competition is a dream come true.

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The Brown County Community Foundation is offering a $9,000 challenge grant to the We the People Team’s 2016 quest for the national championship.

This grant will trigger when the team raises $28,500 of their $37,500 goal.

Tax-deductible donations toward the team can be sent to the Brown County Community Foundation with “BCJHS WTP” in the memo line, or directly to the junior high school at the address listed in the editor’s note above.

The team also is conducting several fundraising events, including an online live auction which can be found at https://www.32auctions.com/wethepeople2016.

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