Ed Sperry, Montana Past Commander, Stevensville
The American Legion Post wants to thank the Stevi HS for an exciting evening with students studying the U.S. Constitution. Yes, it was exciting to observe students explaining and defending basic issues concerning our Constitution. We think this program deserves community awareness and support. The program is entitled: “We The People (The Citizen and the Constitution).” Since the program started in 1987 it has reached 30 million students. The program is nationwide, but the contest which we witnessed has only been conducted in Stevensville. The Legion hopes other schools in the valley will decide to participate and compete.
An example of just one of the questions addressed is presented to give the reader the degree of academic study and rational thought demanded of the contestants. “How have the values and principles embodied in the Constitution shaped American institutions and practices?” Maybe some of us should try to answer that one during our next coffee break. Yes, it would be a challenge for most of us.
The state contest will be held in Helena on January21st. We wish them success! Our special thanks go to Superintendent Bob Moore, the teacher/coach Wes Wells, quest speaker The Honorable Magistrate Kathleen DeSoto and the contest judges Representatives Ballance and Greef and Senator Thomas.
As legionnaires, we bring this event to the our neighbors’ attention because of our sincere concerns about failure to teach about our Constitution in many schools over the past few decades.