Tri-City Herald Kennewick, Wash.
January 11, 2010

EDUCATION: Richland team takes second in state civics competition

By Herald staff

Richland A team from River’s Edge High School in Richland took second place over the weekend at the state “We the People” competition in Olympia. It’s the highest showing ever by an alternative high school in the history of the national civics competition, said teacher Jackie Ives.

“The kids were (really) excited. They did really well,” she said.

Ives and colleague Denise Rosenblum teach the "We the People" class at the small Richland school. The competition tests students’ command of history and government.

The students won the regional competition -- which covered the state’s 4th Congressional District -- in the fall. Ives said she hasn’t yet received a final breakdown of state scores but was told the margin between first and second place was very close.

Tahoma High School in Covington ended up the winner.

The Richland school has been blazing trails in “We the People” for a few years. During the 2007-08 school year, River’s Edge became the first-ever alternative high school to win a regional competition.

Gary Bullert, a political science professor at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and one of the state “We the People” judges, said he was impressed with River’s Edge performance.

“It reinforces my faith in the future of the country when I see these students’ knowledge of government,” he said.

The River's Edge students are: Meagan Grnya, Hannah Duim, Emily Charboneau, Lexor Adams, Luke Thompson, Kevin Ashley, Mary Lambel, Kristina Smith, Jessica Miller, Nala Watters, Geoff Shepperd and Becca Coronado.


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Karen Whitaker, Program Manager
Public Relations
818.591.9321, ext. 288