Led by teacher Kelley Brown (far left, first row) this year’s Easthampton High School We the People team poses for a team photo during this year’s state championships.
Photo credit: Eric Haynes.
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton High School’s We the People Team has yet again captured a state title — their eighth straight — and are now preparing for April when they head to Washington, D.C., for the national tournament. The team is now seeking donations from the community to help fund the trip.
With so many consecutive years of success for the program led by teacher Kelley Brown, the class discussed with Reminder Publishing their success and what being a part of this curriculum is all about.
We the People is a curriculum and program that is offered by the Massachusetts Center for Civic Education, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes civic education in public and private schools and communities.
Almost all the students on this year’s team have been familiar with We the People since they were in middle school as the program’s success over the years has only boosted its status in the community.
“It made me very interested in getting a civic education and it felt like the right fit and how close everyone seemed on the team was a draw to me too because creating that community is so important in high school, so I felt like that was where I needed to be,” said Devin O’Brien.
Whether they have been set on joining the team from a younger age or were pushed to join when picking classes for this school year, students shared that the experience has been rewarding as they become immersed in the We the People community and culture.
“You hear [growing up] about how the streak started and how this whole thing was built, and you know you want to be a part of something. You see how much it meant to the community, especially when I was able to see them win nationals [in 2020] how much support they had from that and how much it meant to the community,” said Ethan Mullaly.
Open to juniors and seniors, the course focuses on learning about the U.S. Constitution and governance from its philosophical origins to modern application. The course is divided into six units where students learn about different aspects of the constitution and government studied throughout the semester. At the end of each unit, classes go through an authentic type of assessment where they participate in a mock congressional hearing.
This is ultimately what the competition is when Easthampton High School matches up against other schools in the state, where they have now captured eight straight championships, totaling nine in 12 years and one national title.
Teammate Michael Bachman Baez said Brown is good at helping students stay consistent and resilient through their work which comes as no surprise once you look into the success the program has seen.
“I think that’s the only way that this program works is because of her leadership and how she teaches us to not only care for ourselves but care for others while taking such a hard class. Being able to learn those skills not just about history but being able to learn how you can help yourself learn, other learns and support others is really one of the most important things of this class and how we all work together as a community,” said Baez.
Other students shared similar glowing remarks about Brown’s leadership and approach to teaching. Multiple students appreciated her ability to keep and make each student feel equal. As one student added, “she doesn’t put anyone on any pedestal.”
“Mrs. Brown is very insistent on teaching us virtues throughout the whole year and you get to build bonds with your unit, and it also helps you so much for your future career and everything else like that,” said Kylie Dorman.
Oliver Oparowski said winning states was an awesome experience as he and his teammates were able to add to the legacy of the institution that is We the People.
“It’s really meaningful. You’re putting in the work for a reason. Even win or lose, getting to see the knowledge and work ethic that we developed over time was really important,” said Oparowski.
Many students credited the course for assisting them in finding clarity on their future career paths and the foundational habits created during the course are benefits they hope to carry with them through life.
“As a person, to lead a good life you have a responsibility to be an informed citizen, to understand your history, to understand both personal values as well as the responsibilities you hold to your community. So developing yourself as a good person for your own gain and developing your knowledge for things that are really crucial for a successful community as a whole,” said Oparowski. “I feel like the farthest strides I’ve been able to take in my life, feeling like I understand the world around me and understanding what I need to do to live the way I want to live, I feel like have come in the past year definitely with the help of the We the People program and understanding as an informed citizen, it’s going to be a lot harder for anybody to pull one over on you.”
Multiple students said they had an interest in pursuing law in college. Others said the class helped them grow more confident and comfortable with open discussion and debate. These positives and more for students have all been in thanks to the We the People experience.
“I remember during the candy bar hearing I tried to defend a candy bar. I remember Miss Brown gave me a lot of confidence when she said I had a lot of ethos when I was talking because I didn’t have a script in front of me to read or anything, but I remember that really set me on the right path,” said Anthony Incampo.
A part of the program’s success also worth noting is how the connection to the team doesn’t just end after your year on it. Class of 2019 student Shane Gravel volunteers to assist in We the People training and courses throughout the school year, continuing a pay-it-forward mentality the program sees from various former students.
“I think even after that experience, while I don’t necessarily deal with the constitution every day of my life, I think I encounter an opportunity to use the skills we learned whether its agreeing or disagreeing with people, civil discourse, thinking on your feet and digging into the details,” said Gravel.
The program’s growth in popularity has also created resources from the community through practicing lawyers and scholars that will visit and prepare with students.
With another shot at the nationals set, Brown gives all the credit to her student’s hard work and commitment to success.
“I always say that the only thing we can be is the best that we can be. We can’t control anybody else, but we can be the best us that we can be and that’s always my goal and why I put the work in,” Brown said to The Reminder and her class. “I want to try and make you [students] the best you, you can be, and I think you guys know that’s what we aim for.”
As the We the People team is set to return to Washington, D.C., on April 8-12, they are still looking for donations to its fundraiser to cover travel costs. At press time, it had reached 56% of the $44,000 goal. To learn more about the team or to donate, visit tinyurl.com/u7754xn3.
Brown added if people want to send a direct donation, they can send a check made out to “Easthampton High School” and mail it to: Easthampton High School c/o Kelley Brown, 70 Williston Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027.
