The winning team, center, with their teachers Mike Hicks, far left, and Staci Parvin, far right, along with Lee University’s Dr. Ana Shippey and Dr. Mark Scully
Shippey welcomes competing high school students to this year’s Constitution Bowl at Lee University
Lee student Ben Wycoff asks quiz questions during one of the competitions
Lee University hosted the 10th annual Constitution Bowl, welcoming students from local and regional high schools to compete. The Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities organizes this event each year to honor the Constitution and recognize the work of local students to learn this foundational document.
Throughout the day, teams of high school students competed against each other by answering questions about founding American documents and local documents such as the Tennessee Constitution. They are quizzed on the Articles of Confederation, the Founding Era, the Basic Presidential Line of Succession, and court cases such as Dred Scott v. Sandford.
“The Constitution Bowl is important because God calls us to be faithful stewards that promote justice, freedom, and equality,” says Dr. Ana Shippey, associate professor of political science at Lee. “We can do this by knowing about governmental institution and how they work.”
The Constitution Bowl brought more than 100 high school students to Lee’s campus from eight high schools. These schools included Girls Preparatory School, Hardin Valley Academy, Lookout Valley Middle/High School, Notre Dame, Polk County High, Speak to Lead Humanities Co-op, Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, and Walker Valley High.
The opening session began at 9 a.m., followed by the first quiz at 9:30. The semi-final game included Girls Preparatory School Team 3, Hardin Valley Team 2, Hardin Valley Team 4, and Speak to Lead Humanities Co-op Team 1. The championship game was held between the two Hardin Valley teams at 3:15 p.m., where Hardin Valley Team 4 won.
“My students and I look forward to attending this incredible event as a chance for my students to be challenged academically and civically,” said Staci Parvin, social studies teacher at Hardin Valley Academy. “The students work hard all semester to study for the competition, and it is always enjoyable to see them delve into the foundational documents of America.”
More than 50 Lee students participated in the Constitution Bowl. Some were team mascots who led students around campus, took them to lunch, and prepped them for the competition, while others asked quiz questions and recorded team points.
“Out of all of the events that the political science department organizes, this event is closest to my heart as it has given me a chance to see the direct impact on the broader community,” said Lee senior Melissa Haley. “I have continually been blown away by the hard work and passion that these younger students have shown in preparation for the event.”
For more information about the Constitution Bowl or Lee’s Department of History, Political Science and Humanities, contact 614-8137, email hipsc@leeuniversity.edu, or visit https://leepoliticalscience.wordpress.com.