Send Wilbur Cross HS Civics Students to DC

UPDATE:

Please click the link below and read the article about our competition prep from the New Haven Independent.

Civics Scholars Prep For Nationals

My name is Brian Grindrod and I am a high school Civics teacher at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, CT. As a teacher, I always try to give my students experiences that help them engage in their own learning using project-based learning to become active citizens. One of my classes competed in a state civics competition called “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Mock Congressional Hearings” in late January sponsored by the Civics First CT and the Center for Civic Education. Because of our performance, the state coordinator for the WTP program nominated my class for the John Lewis Award, giving one urban, high-needs high school an opportunity to compete in WTP National Finals in late April in Washington, D.C. In early February, we won the award and will be competing in the national competition!

We have 17 deserving students on our team and they are preparing for a trip and experience of a lifetime. However, this will cost a lot of money that most of these students cannot afford.

These donations will help offset the costs for my students. This will include their transportation, four days and three nights in the DC metro area, food and hotel accommodation, and an opportunity to explore Washington in addition to competing in this nationally recognized civics competition.

Please consider donating to help give my students this amazing opportunity.

Program Background:

In 2013, the Center for Civic Education introduced the We the People National Finals Warren E. Burger Class. Warren E. Burger retired as the Chief Justice in 1986, in large part to lead the campaign to mark the 1987 bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program started in 1987 with funding from the Commission. Mr. Burger was also the Honorary Chair of the We the People program’s National Advisory Committee.

In 2022 the class designation was changed to the We the People National Finals John Lewis Class, to honor the work of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis. John Robert Lewis was an American statesman and civil rights activist who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. He was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966. Lewis was one of the "Big Six" leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington.

The scholarship award from the Center for Civic Education for 2023 will be $10,000 for the class. This will cover some, but not all of the expenses.

Fortunately, Arvin High School (2013), Joplin High School (2014), Canyon Springs (2015), North Side High School, IN (2016), East Bakersfield High School (2017), Brunswick High School (2018), H.D. Woodson Sr. High School, D.C. (2019), Chicago Hope Academy, IL (2021) were all successful in raising funds within their local communities to support their attendance.

It is hoped that Wilbur L. Cross High School (2023) can achieve the same.