National Finals: April 13-15, 2024
Prepare to be amazed as high school students from across the nation showcase their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and American government. Now in its fifth decade, the National Finals serves as an exciting finale to students' We the People educational journey. The competition utilizes Simulated Congressional Hearings and typically features 48 teams, each representing their respective states.
2024 National Champions
Congratulations to the 2024 We the People National Finals first place team, Grant High School from Portland, Oregon!
List of Judges
The Center is honored each year by the incredibly dedicated judges who volunteer their time at the National Finals. These individuals represent some of the finest scholars, educators, legal authorities, and public servants in the country. We owe them a sincere debt of gratitude.
- Barry Anderson
Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court
St. Paul, Minnesota - Michael F. Anderson
Dean of Liberal Arts, Metropolitan State
St. Paul , Minnesota - John M. Aughenbaugh
Professor of Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia - Jack Barlow
Professor of Politics, Juniata College
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania - Zelalem Bogale
Adjunct Professor of Race, Law and Criminal Justice, University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, Nevada - Lori Broady
Teaching and Learning Specialist, Educational Service Unit 4
Johnson, Nebraska - Alan Brodman
We the People Teacher, Retired
Monroe Township, New Jersey - Jocelyn Broman
Professional Staff, House of Representatives
Washington D.C. - Lester Brooks
Professor (Emeritus) of History, Anne Arundel Community College (Adjunct)
Arnold, Maryland - Cindy Burgett
WTP Teacher (Retired), Fairfax County Public Schools
Chantilly, Virginia - Emmanuel G. Caudillo
Senior Advisor, White House Hispanic Initiative
Washington, D.C. - Chris G. Cavanaugh
Center for Civic Education Consultant
Bismarck, North Dakota - Henry L. Chambers, Jr.
Professor of Law, University of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia - Augustus G. Chin
Municipal Judge, City of Holladay, Utah - Gilda Daniels
Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law
Baltimore, Maryland - John K. DeLoache
Senior Staff Attorney, South Carolina Association of Counties
Columbia, South Carolina - Carl J. Dermady, Jr.
K-12 Social Studies Consultant (Retired), Jefferson Parish School System
Harvey, Louisiana - Robert L. Dion
Professor of Political Science, University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana - Lindsey D. Draper
Circuit Court Commissioner (Ret.), Milwaukee County
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin - Chuck Dunlap
President & CEO, Indiana Bar Foundation
Indianapolis, Indiana - Abby Dupke
Teacher, Arizona College Prep High School
Chandler, Arizona - Ross Eisenman
Assistant Director (Retired), Federal Court System
Washington, D.C. - Francene Engel
Political Scientist and Constitutional Scholar, Maryland Council for Civic and History Education
Gambrills, Maryland - Trish Everett
Educational Designer & Instructional Coach, i-Tech for Schools
Pompano Besch, Florida - Susan L. Firestone
Attorney (Retired),
East Grand Rapids, Michigan - Kevin H. Fox
AP Teacher and Center for Civic Education Consultant
Arcadia, California - Stephen Frantzich
Professor Emeritus, U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland - Avery M. Gagne
Public Affairs Specialist, National Nuclear Security Administration
Washington, D.C. - Jamie Gass
Director, Center for School Reform, Pioneer Instiute
Boston, Massachusetts - Benjamin Glickman
Supervising Deputy Attorney General, California Department of Justice
Sacramento, California - Tiquan Goode
Chairman/President, The Community Revitalization Coalition, LLC
Lawrenceville, Virginia - Peter T. Gunn
We the People Teacher, Mentor, and Judge, CW Design
New London, New Hampshire - Alyssa Hanou
Program Manager, British Embassy Washington
Washington, D.C. - Stefanie E. Hession
Advanced Academics Civics Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax, Virginia - Margaret F. Heubeck
Director of Instruction, UVA Center for Politics
Charlottesville, Virginia - Charles M. Hinderliter
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, St. Louis REALTORS®
St. Louis, Missouri - Alex Ingoglia
Attorney, Winston & Strawn LLP
Dallas, Texas - Ronnald Jeffrey
Juvenile Court Judge, Cheyenne Municipal Court
Cheyenne, Wyoming - Stephen R. Jewett
Judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Orlando, Florida - Steve Johansen
Professor of Law, Lewis and Clark Law School
Portland, Oregon - Caitlin A. Johnston
New York, New York - Chai Karve
Chief Speechwriter, Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Lansing, Michigan - Ally Kjellander
Attorney, Holland & Hart LLP
Boise, Idaho - Emily P. Kilgore
Director of Education and Engagement, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library
Staunton, Virginia - Brit A. Kreimeyer
Criminal Defense Attorney, Thurston County Public Defense
Olympia, Washington - Erin Lewis
Executive Director, Center for Innovation & Change, University of Evansville
Evansville, Indiana - Genie Massey
Program Coordinator, Maryland Civic Education Coalition
Boonsboro, Maryland - Tandy McConnell
Historian, Richland Two Schools
Columbia, South Carolina - Daniel McKannan
Attorney at Law,
Huntsville, Alabama - James P. McKenna
Attorney and Adjunct Professor of Ethics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Millbury, Massachusetts - Mike Miles
Jefferson County Government, Jefferson County, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama - Timothy D. Moore
Deputy Director, Center for the Study of the American Constitution
Waukesha, Wisconsin - Reta Murphy
Engagement Director, Smartmatic USA Corporation
Los Angeles, California - Paul Nolette
Director, Les Aspin Center for Government, Marquette University
Washington, D.C. - Liza Prendergast
Vice President, Democracy International
Washington, D.C. - Beth Ratway
Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research - James Robert Redford
Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals
Grand Rapids, Michigan - Tiffany N. Richardson
General Counsel, Richland One School District
Columbia, South Carolina - David N. Richmond
Retired Educator and Civic Education Consultant, Kern High School District
Bakersfield, California - Donald W. Rogers, Ph. D.
Adjunct Lecturer in History, Emeritus, Central Connecticut State University
Vernon, Connecticut - Karl D. Smith
Deputy Solicitor General, Washington State Attorney General's Office
Olympia, Washington - Candida Steel
Judge (Retired), U.S. Civilian. Board of Contract Appeals
Owls Head, Maine - Julie M. Strandlie, Esq.
Member, Virginia Governor's Advisory Board on Service & Volunteerism
Fairfax, Virginia - Jessica G. Sutter
Chief of Civic Learning Initiatives, Institute for Citizens & Scholars
Washington, D.C. - James R. Sweeney
Judge, US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana - Daniel M. Taubman
Senior judge, Colorado Court of Appeals
Denver, Colorado - Tom Tinder
Board Member, West Virginia Bar Foundation
Charleston, West Virginia - Joanna B. Tobin
Board of Education Member, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Annapolis, Maryland - Jonathan D. Varat
Professor of Law Emeritus, UCLA School of Law
Los Angeles, California - Edward L. Volpe
Attorney, Volpe Law Firm
Denver, Colorado - Tom Vontz
Professor and Director, Center for Social Studies Education, Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas - Dychon Whitaker
We The People Educator, Charles County Public Schools
La Plata, Maryland - Mike Williams
Professor of Political Science and International Relations, University of San Diego
San Diego, California - Christopher P. Yates
Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals
Grand Rapids, Michigan - Janice Yates
Retired We the People Coach,
Grand Rapids, Michigan - Lena Zwarensteyn
Senior Director, Fair Courts Program, The Leadership Conference Education Fund/The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Washington, D.C.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Emily Voss or Rebecca Reeder by email. They can assist you or direct you to additional resources.
