VHHS team headed to nationals

After months of preparation and one practice competition within the district, the Vestavia Hills High School team showed off their debate skills in the state competition for “We the People”, a mock congressional hearing competition, locally sponsored by the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education and hosted by Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.

This year’s 18-member team, composed entirely of senior students from Vestavia Hills High School, impressed the judges with their carefully prepared opening statement. Following opening statements, students were peppered with questions from the judging team, comprised of educators, judges, alumni participants in the program and attorneys from across the state. The team is sub-divided into six teams of three students each, who prepare to answer questions regarding a particular article of the Constitution.  

The Vestavia Hills High School “We the People” program is often referred to as a dynasty, since they typically win state competitions year after year. Team sponsors Maddox and Schaefer are a large part of the reason for that reputation, along with the school’s inclusion of the program in their advanced curriculum. Last year, the team placed fourth in the nation, an honor that this year’s team hopes to improve upon. Preliminary competitions will be held at George Mason University, followed by Top Ten competitions in the senate hearing rooms on Capitol Hill.  The team is currently raising money, through corporate and individual sponsorships, to fund their travel to national competitions in late April.    

To help the team fund their $25,000 travel and competition expense, please contact sponsor Amy Maddox, maddoxav@vestavia.k12.al.us.