Sky View goes to Washington as “We the People” win state
State champions — Sky View’s “We the People” team on stage after receiving the award as state champions. Next the team will compete in nationals in Washington. (Whitney Reed)
SALT LAKE CITY—By a mere three points, Sky View high school’s “We the People” team took home the gold for the fourth year in a row. On February eighth, not only did they earn themselves a trip to Washington, D.C. and the title of State Champion, they defied all expectations.
Jessica Swenson, one of the team captains, explained, “After putting in so much time, effort, laughter, tears, joy, heartache, after all that sacrifice, after watching the team struggle and then pull it together, it was just so validating to win and stand on that stage with a group of people who otherwise wouldn’t really know each other. There were doubters to the end, and we proved that we could come together and take state.”
The competition began with a long bus ride filled with nervous giggles and recitations of each member’s part. Once at the University of Utah’s Student Center, every “We the People” team that made it past their district level was treated to a welcome speech, a question and answer period with Congressman Jim Matheson, and then they were whisked away to their separate rooms to compete. That’s where the real fun began.
Each unit was placed up front to recite an essay written in response to any randomly chosen Constitutional topic. They were then given a six minute question and answer period where the judges, chosen because of their schooling and experience with law and government, would evaluate them based on things such as articulation, application, reasoning, and even excitement about the topic.
Sky View’s performance was exceptionally well done, and with team huddles, high fives, and short motivational speeches given by their coach, Mike Rigby, they really came together as a team, exemplifying a trait the “We the People” program strives to cultivate in participants. “We the People is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than its individuals. My hours of work and my teammates’ hours of work combined into something that was larger than all of us, and that feeling is amazing,” Swenson exclaimed.
After being treated to a lasagna dinner, it was time for the awards ceremony. Sky View’s team took home Best Unit in the State in Unit 4, Unit 2, and Unit 3. As the announcer read off the final results, the reaction was instant and exuberant. For the fourth time in the row, the team had taken home the State Championship.
Now begins extensive fundraising for the trip to Washington, D.C. to compete at the National level. Not only do the units need to write three entirely new essays, they need the support of the community and anyone willing to sponsor them for their trip.
Though the work ahead is going to be just as difficult, if not more so, than the work it took to get to state, the lessons each student has learned have been absolutely worth it. “I’ve learned more than my topics covered,” Swenson stated. “I think some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned are ones about myself. I’ve learned how important it is to put your individual wants aside and sacrifice for the good of the team. And the memories I have because I’ve done that are priceless.”