On December 19, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP will host the third round of We The People competitions for the top three high school teams in Indiana at the firm’s Indianapolis office. Taft will also be in charge of recruiting judges. Despite high demand, the third round was cancelled when federal funding for the state finals was eliminated in 2011. High school teachers sought the third round of questions since they spend a semester preparing their students for a range of topics about the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and American history.

“These students work hard all semester and present their answers impressively at the state finals,” said Charles R. Dunlap, executive director of the Indiana Bar Foundation, which manages the We The People program in Indiana. “It’s great to have Taft attorneys step up, yet again, to further civic education in Indiana.”

Dunlap was referring to Taft’s commitment to supporting civic education financially for the next five years in addition to hosting the third round of the competition.

“Taft is honored to host the finalists and help promote civic competence and responsibility among our high school students,” said Geoffrey Slaughter, Taft partner and member of the Indiana Bar Foundation board of directors. “We The People is an innovative instructional program that we strongly embrace and support.”

Taft is a benefactor in the campaign An Hour for Civics, which raises much-needed funding for the We The People civic education program. Attorneys are asked to donate the equivalent of one billable hour to the Indiana Bar Foundation to support civic education in Indiana. Any gift at any level will continue the legacy of civic education in Indiana.

About We The People
We The People teaches fifth, eighth and twelfth grade students about American history, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. After a semester of study, the students testify before panels of judges, usually attorneys, members of the judiciary, and community leaders, to demonstrate their knowledge in response to questions posed. The curriculum and teaching methods used help the students develop critical thinking, teamwork, research and public speaking skills.

About Taft’s Community Involvement
Since the firm’s founding, one of Taft’s fundamental principles has been that giving back to the community is an integral part of what defines a responsible company and its employees. Today, Taft attorneys and staff are actively involved in more than 150 organizations in the communities where we live and work. From the arts and cultural groups to non-profits and professional organizations, the firm takes great pride in its volunteer service.