INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The We the People team of constitutional scholars from Incline High School ranked 10th in the country during last week’s national finals in Washington, D.C., while the team from Reno High School placed first in Division C during the same competition. The two teams from Nevada successfully competed against hundreds of students from across the country during the annual three-day event.
“More than 25 percent of Incline High School’s senior class is involved with We the People this year, and I am extremely proud of how my students have risen to the occasion all year and competed at an elite level,” said Milt Hyams, a social studies teacher at Incline High School who coaches the We the People team. “What makes this group of students special is their teamwork, sincerity, and passion to improve our nation while ensuring that we live up to our core principles of liberty, equality, and justice articulated in our founding documents. Our community and coaches have supported the students every step of the way and the students have responded, growing into thoughtful and engaged members of our Constitutional Democracy.”
“Civic education is alive and well in Washoe County,” said Brien Karlin, who teaches AP Human Geography, History through Film, Freshman Seminar, and coaches the Reno High School We the People team. “This program is a community effort, and I am humbled by the outpouring of support by unit coaches, practice judges, and donors. I am indebted to my students for practicing grace while I work through my first year at the helm of this program. Their curiosity and drive are incredible. I’m thankful to be part of their life’s journey.”
Three schools from the Washoe County School District (WCSD) swept the Nevada state competitions earlier this year: Incline High School placed first, Reno High School placed second, and Reed High School placed third.
The national competition is sponsored by the Center for Civic Education and requires students to make formal presentations in front of panels of scholars, attorneys, educators, public officials, and court judges to showcase their extensive knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and American government. The competition is intense, as students must be prepared to defend their presentations and explore the history, implications, and outcomes of complicated principles.
Questions posed to students during the 2026 national competition included:
- What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System?
- How Did the Framers Create the Constitution?
- How Has the Constitution Been Changed to Further the Ideals Contained in the Declaration of Independence?
- What Rights Does the Bill of Rights Protect?
High school teams begin preparing for these competitions early in the school year, devoting countless hours to researching American government principles and preparing their presentations for local, state, and national matches. Eighteen students represented Incline High School and 27 students competed for Reno High School this year.
WCSD celebrates a long tradition of achievement and excellence in local, state, and national We the People competitions. Last year, Reno High School placed fifth overall in the nation and has qualified for the national competition 13 times. Incline High School has attended the national competition 17 times and placed first in the nation in the Division C competition in 2024. In 2023, We the People teams from Reno High School and Reed High School placed first in their respective divisions during the national competition in Virginia.
