Disclaimer: The author was a part of Franklin’s constitutional law team.
Seniors Matthew Meyers and Colin Williams from Sprague High School in Salem, OR have defied expectations and broken records with their qualification for the national We The People constitutional law competition, which takes place in Washington D.C. from April 9-11. The pair are the sole members of Sprague’s constitutional law team — in steep contrast to the typical team size of around 18-36. They are the first two-person team in history to qualify for the national tournament, which began in 1987.
The national competition typically features 48 teams, each representing their respective states. Oregon routinely stands out on the national stage — in the last 20 years, teams representing the state have earned six national titles, two national runner-up titles, and six third-place wins.
If capacity allows, a state’s second-place team may also be invited to attend the National Finals as a Wild Card entry. As the second-place finisher at this year’s Oregon state competition, Sprauge was lucky enough to receive the Wild Card. “Disbelief. Total disbelief,” Meyers said of their reaction. They were informed just two days after their impressive state run. “We still haven’t processed any of it. It’s just been one huge dopamine hit after another.”
The two initially got involved in constitutional law as sophomores when it was offered as a demonstration program at their school — meaning the students prepared for the competition but never actually competed. They found themselves drawn to the unique blend of legal analysis and public speaking that the competition required. “I just loved the method of thinking,” Williams explained. “Both of us want to go into STEM fields, but con law tests your abstract reasoning skills in a way nothing else really does.”
When the program was discontinued the following year due to challenges like COVID-19, staffing changes, and already limited resources, Meyers and Williams refused to let their passion fade. They formed an independent club, carrying the bulk of the workload themselves with just four other students — once again, the students only engaged in the activity for fun and did not attend official competitions. This year, it’s just the two of them as a team — and in a first for the program, they’re officially competing. With such a small program, preparing for nationals has been an intense undertaking for the duo.
The students also do not have any coaches, another striking difference from the substantial coaching staff — made up of mostly lawyers and judges — that represent the five other Oregon state finalists. Instead, they are represented by their social studies teacher Jacqueline Pope, who among other things, accompanies them to their competitions. Pope is also a former competitor. Matthew explains, “[Pope is] absolutely a baller teacher. She delayed her maternity leave so that we could [compete], you know, give her teacher of the century for that.”
Last year, Lincoln High School won the state competition and ended up claiming sixth place at nationals. In addition, Grant High School, who earned their bid to nationals through the Wild Card, won the national title. Lincoln will return to nationals this year, as the reigning state champion. At state, Grant earned a well-fought third-place win — meaning Meyers and Williams have already beaten out a national champion.
The competition is run nationally through the Center for Civic Education, but Oregon’s state and regional competitions are run through the non-profit Civics Learning Project (CLP). The company, who works to encourage participation in democracy by providing educational resources, also runs a variety of other competitions and scholarships for students across the state. Also known as “Con-Law,” the We The People competition tests students’ knowledge and analytical skills related to both historical and modern interpretations of the U.S. Constitution.
Preparing for the competition is a serious commitment. For the national tournament, the students must prepare 18 different speeches — three speeches per constitutional law unit. On the first two days of the competition, teams will present one speech per unit, delivering a total of six speeches each day. Only the top 10 teams from the initial rounds advance to the final day of competition, where they will present one additional speech per unit. The duo has made it their goal to advance to the final day — a serious challenge when competing against teams.
Meyers and Williams dedication has clearly paid off this year. Preparing for the national tournament has been an intense undertaking for the duo, with estimates of 18-36 hours per week spent on research, writing, and practice. Yet, despite the demanding schedule, both students remain enthusiastic about the competition. As Meyers expressed, “Even if we place dead last, this whole process has just been an absolute joy.”
The program, already burdened by limited resources and the aftermath of the pandemic, is currently fundraising for their trip to nationals in Washington D.C. — where the fee to enter alone is $7,000, not to mention the hefty travel costs. You can support the team at: https://or-salemkeizer-lite.intouchreceipting.com listed under “Sprague High School” in the activity section: “Advanced Con. Law – Donations.”
