The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights came to life on Friday when more than 300 middle school students traveled to The Ohio State University to participate in the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Middle School State Showcase, a program of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.

“The depth of knowledge demonstrated by the students is truly remarkable,” said OCLRE Executive Director Lisa Eschleman. “It’s exciting to watch the students apply what they have learned in the classroom to the important issues facing our country today.”

Two Cincinnati schools earned a superior rating, the highest recognition offered: Indian Hill Middle School and Sycamore Junior High School.

We the People is a nationally acclaimed civic education program, helping students understand the history, philosophies, and evolution of our constitutional government. At the showcase, students participated in simulated congressional hearings before a panel of volunteer judges including attorneys and community leaders. Using their expertise and experience, the judges evaluated responses to questions designed to explore students’ depth of knowledge and understanding of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

“We the People prepares students tobe enlightened citizens through the study of the enduring ideas of America’s founders, and the principles of constitutional government,” said Eschleman. “These students represent our next generation of leaders and active participants in the democratic process.”

Other middle schools that participated included: Berwick Alternative Middle School (Columbus), Gahanna Middle School South (Gahanna), Miller City-New Cleveland Middle School (Miller City), Monroe Alternative Middle School (Columbus), Mt. Healthy Jr. High School (Cincinnati), and St. Paul School (Westerville).