The We the People team from Southwest Career and Technical Academy (SWCTA) is making history—and heading to Washington, D.C. After earning second place at the state-level competition, the SWCTA team is set to represent Clark County School District on the national stage in this prestigious mock congressional hearing.
This marks only the fourth time in the past 20 years that a CCSD team has advanced to the national ‘We the People’ finals competition, an event that challenges high school students to present and defend their knowledge of constitutional principles before panels of real judges and legal scholars.
“No one expected us to make it this far—not even us,” said William Deng, a team member.
The team’s success is the result of months of intense preparation. Students dedicated long hours to researching constitutional law, refining their public speaking skills, and practicing civil discourse—all of which culminate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“The fate of an empire depends on the capacity of each generation to uphold the principles of liberty. We are that generation,” said Victor Pedzik, a competitor on Unit 3. “This is our moment.”
To support the journey to the nation’s capital, the SWCTA team organized a ‘Dine & Discuss’ fundraising dinner. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by students in SWCTA’s award-winning culinary program, and a live auction added to the evening’s success.
“It was a positive experience,” said AP Government instructor Joseph Juliano. “It was about civil discourse, something we can carry forward and model for others.”
