LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) – After the best finish by a southern Nevada team in the recent state-wide “We The People” competition, students from the West Tech Career Technical Academy are gearing up to represent the Silver State at the national level.

West Tech Teacher Ryan Handlon says:

“The greatest thing about this program is that it really takes this current generation of students and turns them into future leaders.”

Handlon explains that the class puts students through pretend Congressional hearings, and that – in competitions – they’re questioned by judges who in many cases are actual judges, testing not only their knowledge of the constitution, but also their ability to think on their feet.

West Tech student Marissa Yang:

“Coming into We The People, I didn’t know a lot about the government and the law in general.”

As the two dozen or so students study and practice for next month’s trip to DC, they say the program has made them better citizens.

Teacher Handlon:

“They’ve really worked hard. They’ve put a lot of effort into this. They really want to make the city proud. Every day I tell them to get up and get after it. And they are.”

The team has raised about $5,000 of the $20,000 they need for the trip.

If you’d like to help their fundraising effort, click – – – > HERE.

Good luck to the West Tech Wranglers at the national competition.

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