Parents

The 28th Annual We the People National Finals looks forward to welcoming visitors from around the country! Since 1987 more than 100,000 parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors have traveled to Washington D.C. to celebrate the accomplishment of these remarkable students. The following information will help you better understand and enjoy the competition and events.

Information Desk > Learn More
Hearing Rooms > Learn More
Student Briefing Room > Learn More
Awards Ceremony > Learn More

Visitors must register at the Center’s information desk each day.

Information Desk Locations
Saturday, April 25: Outside Dewberry Hall, located in the George W. Johnson Center
Sunday, April 26: Outside Dewberry Hall, located in the George W. Johnson Center

Visitors will be issued a name or state badge that should be worn at all times during competition events. Your name or state badge ensures your access to hearing rooms. Visitors without name badges will not be admitted into the hearing rooms.

Saturday and Sunday

Because the hearing rooms are limited in size the number of open seats depends on the class size and number of parents and visitors. Every effort will be made to ensure that parents and visitors who have come to see a particular student testify will be seated in the room during that student’s unit hearing. Parents and visitors may stand in the back of the room unless otherwise directed due to fire codes and at the discretion of the teacher or Center staff. As usual, classes that have a large number of parents and visitors may have to devise rotation schedule. To ensure that the hearings are not interrupted, parents and visitors will be admitted to the hearing room at appropriate break times (between units) and after the judges have left the room.

To ensure fairness anyone affiliated with a competing class (teachers, coaches, students, chaperons, parents, friends, relatives, etc.) may not enter the hearing room of any other competing class. Once a class hearing is completed, floor supervisors and Center staff will help direct classes and visitors exit in a timely fashion.

Parking at George Mason University on Saturday and Sunday

If you are driving to campus, note that most GPS devices only recognize the 4400 University Drive address for George Mason University. Once on campus, you will need to follow the signs or a campus map.

Saturday and Sunday commuters to the competition (George W. Johnson Center on the George Mason University–Fairfax campus) may park for free in Lot K. The walk from Lot K to the Johnson Center is approximately twenty minutes. If closer parking is needed, the Mason Pond Parking Deck will have limited availability for a fee of $3/hour ($14/day max) on Saturday and $7/day on Sunday.

Metrorail Information to and from George Mason University

The closest Metrorail stop to George Mason University is the Vienna Orange Line metro stop. Click here for information regarding the free Mason to Metro Shuttle service to and from campus. 

Monday

The final round of competition will take place in hearing rooms in Capitol Hill. Hearing sessions are 10:00 am-1:00 pm and 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. Visitors do not need to register to observe Monday's hearings - there will be no Information Desk on Monday. Parents and guests can report directly to their assignment hearing room. 

All National Finals guests are welcome to observe the Top Ten hearings, with one important exception: Students testifying in the afternoon cannot attend morning hearings. The same rules applies to their team's parents, friends, and supporters. 

If you have any questions or concerns during the day, you may report to the Center's administrative office, Cannon 121.  

Student Orientation Room

The Student Orientation will he held in the George W. Johnson Center. On the Saturday and Sunday there will be a half hour briefing for all classes before the hearings begin. Robert Leming, Director of the We the People Programs and Mark Molli, Director of Governmental Relations will officially welcome students, teachers, parents, and visitors to the 28th Annual We the People National Finals and address the students about important matters concerning the competition. Upon arrival floor supervisors and Center staff will direct students to the Orientation room. Parents and visitors are welcome. At the end of the briefing, floor supervisors and Center staff will direct classes to their hearing rooms. Once all classes have been dismissed, parents and visitors will be directed to the hearing rooms.