I wrote this essay for my college application process...it had some politics in it, so I figured I'd post it here...enjoy!!
Presenting before a panel of three complete strangers, all constitutional scholars, is certainly no walk in the park. We had been preparing for this day for months. We were finally in Washington, DC, participating in the national competition for We the People; an organization designed to familiarize students with the teachings of the United States Constitution, and its message of liberty. Participating in this activity not only helped me become more cognizant of US legal history, it also taught me how to work effectively in a group, and was key in establishing my set of values and goals.
Leading up to the competition in Washington, my four teammates and myself had quite a bit of work to do. Besides preparing speeches, researching court cases, and developing arguments, we had to learn how to work as a group. Most of us were strangers. The ideological spectrum in my group was very wide as well. Between intense arguments ranging from citizenship to abortion, we managed to accomplish our goals. Additionally, with the assistance of University of Iowa law students and We the People alumni, we were able to peacefully overcome our differences. In Washington, nervously sitting in front of the judges, prepared for our six minutes of unscripted cross-examination, we knew each other well enough to provide succinct, thought out responses—albeit with a few disagreements along the way.
Researching the history of the founding period had the greatest impact on my sets of values and goals. Participating in We the People required us to not simply read the founding documents, but to understand the arguments behind Hamilton and Madison’s Federalist Papers, Jefferson’s Declaration, and the Constitution. Delving into Supreme Court history, and spending a gratuitous amount of time on news sites, has given me the background to make more informed decisions based upon the Constitution—and not just on partisan talking points. The class taught me that rights of the accused are just as important as the right to free speech and press, and that states’ rights are fundamental to the success of the Union. Walking into that class, I was looking at medical programs at colleges and universities. Walking out of that class, I am looking at law programs. The class taught me to be appreciative of our rights and freedoms, and to never take them for granted. As an adult, I hope to be able to defend those rights for other citizens.
