Fishers Junior High School’s We the People team has set a high bar for itself.
After winning the national title two years in a row, Fishers placed second in 2019.
The team, made up of 26 eighth-graders, won its fourth consecutive state middle school title in December 2019. The team will head to the Eighth Annual We the People National Invitational May 1-4 in Washington, D.C. The team is attempting to raise $50,000 for the trip.
“We have that standard that is set for us before everyone who has gone to nationals before us,” team member Maddy Collier said. “Most of our team is just excited we made it to nationals. Once we get there, we’ll worry about the standard that is set. We’re going to do our best, but I think we’re just all excited we’re going to nationals.”
Team member Casey Alexander’s sister, Izzy, was on the first national championship team.
“Fishers has always had someone pushing them at the state. The first two times, it was Brown County,” Alexander said. “Then, we started winning, and it was still Brown County until Fall Creek showed up. Fall Creek is a close rival of ours.”
Collier said teachers Michael Fassold and Tony Sturgeon have the team well-prepared.
“Right now, we are just learning about the foundation of our country and major historical events in our country,” Alexander said.
The class has been studying the impeachment process and other presidents who have been impeached.
Fassold said We the People is part of a special history class. Students apply to get in.
“These are self-motivated kids who do most of the work on their own,” Fassold said.
Indiana has success with the program because of support from the General Assembly and the Indiana Bar Foundation, Fassold said.
Alexander said the team is working on setting up a Facebook live event to raise money.
“It’s almost like a telethon,” Alexander said.
In addition, Collier said the team is selling tickets for a Glow Dance at the school for students in March.
“We reach out to businesses to ask for sponsorships and reach out to family and friends,” Collier said.
To reach the Go Fund Me page, visit bit.ly/fjhwtp2020.
