Leaders in government, education and the community will judge We The People Showcase at Sunset Elementary School

Vancouver, Wash. – On Friday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m., leaders in government, local business and education will gather at Sunset Elementary School to support civic education by judging Sunset's first We the People Showcase. Guest judges will include: State Representative Deb Wallace; State Representative Jim Dunn; Bob Digenthal from Senator Maria Cantwell's Office; Rod Hill from Channel 2 the local KATU affiliate and representatives from throughout the community and Evergreen Public Schools.

"We really appreciate the time and effort put forth by this amazing panel of leaders," said Sunset teacher Karen Morley-Smith, who is organizing the event. "It lends a lot of credibility to the program and the impact it has on students, to have so many organizations and offices represented."

The We the People program is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded program that aims to provide civic education to young people. At the secondary level, students compete and advance from district to state and national competitions. At the elementary level, fifth grade students showcase what they know in a non-competitive format.

All five of the schools' fifth grade classes will participate in the showcase and the judging panels will rotate from room to room for the four minute student presentations. The judges will also have time to ask the students questions and then provide feedback on what went well and where improvements could be made.

Sunset Elementary School is located at 9001 NE 95th St., Vancouver.