We The People in Action: A Live Student Hearing and Community Conversation

The evening begins with a live, simulated congressional hearing featuring students from the 2026 We The People North Dakota State Championship team. In this format, students present and defend their understanding of constitutional principles, responding to questions from The We The People Summer Institute scholars Chris Cavanaugh, Tim Moore, and Mike Williams.

During the hearing, students will explore the following question from Unit 5 of the text:

In proposing the Bill of Rights to Congress, James Madison warned that the “greatest danger” to liberty is not found in the legislative or executive departments of government but “in the body of the people, operating by the majority against the minority.”* How does the Bill of Rights heed Madison’s concern and protect minorities against the danger of majorities?

○ To what extent, if any, should individual rights set forth in the Bill of Rights be limited by the will of the majority?

○ Which rights do you think need the most protection today, and why?

*James Madison, Amendments to the Constitution, June 8, 1789, Founders Online, National Archives and Records Administration, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-12-02-0126.

It is a chance to see young people think critically, speak with clarity, and engage directly with complex ideas.

Following the hearing, Aruna Patel, Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Center for Civic Education, will reflect on the broader impact of the We The People program. Her remarks will explore how this work supports teachers, challenges students, and contributes to stronger, more connected communities.

The event will conclude with a short audience Q&A.

This is an opportunity to see civic education in practice and to better understand how programs like We The People prepare students not just for academic success, but for thoughtful participation in public life.

Scholar Bios:

Chris Cavanaugh taught social studies for 28 years in Indiana, where his students participated in We the People congressional hearings, AP Government, and dual credit U.S. History. He now teaches in Bismarck and continues to support civic education through mentorship and national professional development programs.

Tim Moore is Deputy Director at the Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin, where he works on the Documentary History of the American Constitution. A former high school teacher of 30 years, he develops curriculum and outreach programs focused on the American founding.

Mike Williams, JD, PhD, is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of San Diego. His teaching and research focus on comparative politics, democratization, and constitutionalism, with particular expertise in African politics and governance.

Aruna Patel is the Senior Director of Civic Education at the Center for Civic Education, where she oversees national programs including We the People and Project Citizen. Her work focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to participate thoughtfully in civic life. Prior to this role, she led New York State’s Seal of Civic Readiness initiative, expanding access to high-quality civic education across diverse school communities.