As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Mid-Shore Constitution Alliance is putting a distinctly local focus on civic education. Its second annual Mid-Shore Constitution Bowl will bring together teams from eight area high schools at the Talbot County Free Library on September 12 and 19 for a fast-paced competition testing their knowledge of the Constitution, American government and history. Members of the winning team will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Richard Holman, chairman of the Mid-Shore Constitution Alliance and a former vice president of Booz & Company and managing director for innovation, and Washington College professor Joseph Prud’homme are leading the effort. Prud’homme is the college’s Burton Family Chair in Religion, Politics, and Culture, an associate professor of political science, and founding director of the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture. The institute has made civic education and thoughtful discussion across political differences central to its work.
In the Spy’s conversation with Holman and Prud’homme, the Constitution Bowl is really the starting point for a broader discussion about how young people learn to become citizens. They discuss why knowledge of the Constitution still matters, the importance of giving students tools to discuss difficult public questions, and their hope that programs like the Bowl can encourage a new generation on the Mid-Shore to take a more active role in civic life.
This video is approximately 8 minutes in length. For more information go here MidShore Constitution Alliance
One Response
It’s encouraging to see young Americans learning about the Constitution and the principles that have shaped our country for 250 years. Knowing our history and understanding our rights and responsibilities as citizens is something worth celebrating. Programs like this help keep the spirit of American civic participation alive in the next generation. Thank you Richard & Joseph!