Wauwautosa West students Brenna Blaney; Kate Darling, daughter of Attorney Eric Darling from Schmidt, Darling and Erwin S.C.; Libby Dennik; John Dettlaff; Lakia Faison; Adam Fendos; Aidan Gabriel; Dana Gaertner; Alyssa Goodwillie; Ella and Nick Hagopian, children of Attorney Gregg Hagopian of the Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office; Olivia Harris; Rachel Haynes; Chrissy Hembrook; Claire Kartz; Alex Lee; Aubrianna Mierow; Nicole Mystrow; Jordan Pasbrig; Jake Plantz; Lindsey Starrett, daughter of Attorney Jay Starrett from Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary P.C.; Brandon Toye; Jordan Tracey; Truman Tyson; Nyjia Williams-Treadway; and Morgan Zygmunt.
Teacher Chad Mateske and Mentoring Attorneys Mark Young and Tom Schneck.
Teaching assistants for the group include Wauwatosa West seniors Nina Best, Emelia Zaeske, and Sabrina Black.
April 1, 2015 – After winning Wisconsin’s “We the People” state competition for the eighth consecutive year, 26 students from Wauwatosa West High School are heading to Washington, D.C., to represent Wisconsin in the national competition on April 24 to 29.
The “We the People” competition tests students’ knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, including its philosophical underpinnings, amendments, seminal case law, and modern-day applications.
The students divide into units specializing in particular constitutional areas, with each unit responsible for an opening statement to a panel of judges who work in law, history, education or government. Like oral arguments, the students must answer questions from the judges that range from historic or philosophical interpretations to current events.
In 1987, the Center for Civic Education started the “We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution” program. Since then, more than 28 million students and 75,000 teachers throughout the U.S. have participated.
Lawyers as Mentors
The Wauwatosa West team is led by history teacher Chad Mateske and by mentor attorneys Mark Young of Trapp & Harman S.C., Brookfield, and Tom Schneck of Andrew C. Ladd L.L.C., Waukesha.
Both Young – who has mentored the team for eight years – and Schneck – a seven-year mentor – became involved with the team when their children participated in the program. Both continue to be involved because the commitment that these students show in learning about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and government is beyond impressive.
From left: Wauwatosa students Alex Ball, Dana Gaertner, John Dettlaff, Mentoring Attorney Mark Young, Mentoring Attorney Tom Schneck, and students Olivia Harris and Libby Dennik.
In addition to spending five class periods per week with Mateske preparing for the competition, students work with their mentoring attorneys in brainstorming sessions and research. The attorneys provide feedback during dry runs and help them with their statements. As the competition draws near, it is not uncommon for the attorneys to volunteer 10 to 15 hours each week.
“Each of these students has a firm grasp of the foundation of our government and its modern applications including historic and present major case law,” said Young. “They are some of the best and brightest students out there, and are certain to become some of our top future attorneys, elected leaders, and lobbyists.”
Working with the students is fulfilling, Schneck said.
“To see the intellectual development of young minds and see them as juniors in high school tackle graduate level material is awe-inspiring. Working with students keeps me on my toes, keeps me young, and keeps me energized,” Schneck said.
Understanding Constitutional Principles
The state competition, held Jan. 10 at the Marquette University Law School, simulated a congressional hearing with students testifying before panels of judges, answering questions, and demonstrating their understanding of the Constitutional principles of our democratic government.
Heidi Fendos is owner of Fendos PR, Milwaukee, and the mother of Adam Fendos, member of the Wauwatosa West ‘We the People’ Team.
In addition to the intensive preparation needed for the national competition in Washington, D.C., students are currently involved in a variety of fundraising activities. They are approximately half through a campaign to raise $60,000 to ensure that the entire team can travel together to the national hearings. Donations to the group can be made via a secure website at gofundme.com.
Attorneys interested in volunteering for the We the People Competition should contact James Kegal at jkegel@charter.net.
