2024 -- H 8301

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LC006168

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE NORTH SMITHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL TEAM ON WINNING

THE 2024 "WE THE PEOPLE" STATE COMPETITION

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, J. Brien, Kennedy, Tanzi, Ajello, Shallcross
Smith, Cortvriend, and Casey

     Date Introduced: May 22, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Citizen and the Constitution Competition "We the People" is sponsored

by the Center for Civic Education, and is a yearly competition for American high school students

held in Washington, D.C. Teams are divided into six units and each team focuses on a particular

area of Constitutional interest; and

     WHEREAS, The team of North Smithfield High School students presented before a

panel of judges at the 2024 "We the People" State Competition held on February 8th, and as a

result of the team’s outstanding win, traveled to the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Va.,

from April 12th through the 16th, where they represented Rhode Island and participated in

simulated congressional hearings in the Annual National Finals; and

     WHEREAS, The competition required the students to deliver a prepared four-minute

opening statement on a specific Constitutional topic and answer a series of questions asked by a

panel of judges to measure their depth of knowledge, understanding, and their ability to apply

constitutional principles. The team readily demonstrated their erudition on topics ranging from

affirmative action to the death penalty, as well as ballot measures to civil disobedience, in

addition to myriad additional topics; and

     WHEREAS, The students had prepared for a wide variety of potential follow-up

questions as they are not allowed to use any materials nor are they aware of the questions they

will be asked until they are posed. Resultantly, they develop the essential skills of thinking

critically, quickly, and independently; and

     WHEREAS, The 2024 dedicated North Smithfield High School team was comprised of

Anna Aleksiewicz, Paige Bosco, Grace Cabral, John Caruso, Kayla Delances, Grace DeStefanis-

Ouellette, NdeyeAnna Diene, Julia Dowling, Dylan Driscoll, Owen Dubuc, Timothy Ferri,

Lorelai Garrahan, Aline Girard, Lora Halliwell, Adam Harrison, Max Hawes, Landon Hebert,

Darcy Lemieux, Sophia Lopez, Sophia Majeau, Sean Mania, Skyler Manning, Ediana Mauricio,

Jackson Nault, Ryan Nault, Mercedes Nkrumah, Andrea Nuñez, Wyatt Pullen, Caroline Rapp,

Isabella Rawson, Anabel Redford, Aura Rivera, Daniel Roden, Zachary Simpkins, Addison

Slaughter, Ellanora Tessier, Molly Wright, and Conner Listenfelt; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends our congratulations to team coach and Social Studies Department Chair, Natalie O'Brien

and the North Smithfield High School Team for winning the Rhode Island "We the People" State

Competition. We moreover wish these hard-working students the best of luck in all their future

endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Natalie O'Brien, North Smithfield High School.

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