Central Academy Students Win “Know Your Constitution” Contest

Thirteen Central Academy students have been selected as finalists in the Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division “Know Your Constitution” contest.

Finalists from Central Academy are Abby Callaghan (Hoover), Olin Carty (Roosevelt), Caroline Closson (Van Meter), Mark Gee Jr. (Johnston), William Karr (Roosevelt), Alex Lopez (North), Will Percival (Roosevelt), Prisma Ruacho (East), Luke Sheeley (Roosevelt), Benjamin Sides (Lincoln), Josh Swagler (North), Nathan Walton (Van Meter), and Demetrius Watson (Roosevelt).

The “Know Your Constitution” project is designed to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of the Constitution. The students participating in the project were required to familiarize themselves with Constitution related issues. A quiz was completed by each participating student. An essay question accompanied the quiz in case of a tie. 

One hundred finalists were selected from the more than 1,000 students across the State of Iowa who participated in the “Know Your Constitution” competition. The finalists will be honored at a luncheon at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel in West Des Moines on January 11, 2013. This year’s Keynote Speaker for the event is the Honorable Judge Stephanie Rose, Federal District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

From the finalists, five students and their teachers will be chosen in January by a random drawing to attend the all-expense paid, Close-Up Foundation’s five day long education work session in Washington, D.C., in February 2013. The work sessions are designed to develop a deeper understanding of government and the political process.

“The ‘Know Your Constitution’ essay competition is a fantastic way for our students to think creatively about how the nearly 250 year-old United States constitution applies to current problems and situations,” said Crista Carlile, Central Academy supervisor. “These finalists were selected from among Iowa’s brightest and most talented students for their deep understanding of our government, and for their ability to articulate their knowledge in a well-crafted essay.”

This program is sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association, with additional funding from the Iowa State Bar Foundation and many of the county Bar Associations across Iowa.