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Brown Co. students prove themselves legal experts

BROWN COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – When you think Brown County you think fall foliage, primitive shopping and maybe fried biscuits dunked in apple butter. Junior high students are now adding legal experts to that list.

Eighth graders in Mike Potts’ “We the People” class are headed to yet another national competition in Washington DC.

“We the People” students study the U.S. Constitution.

Then they get in front of a panel of judges made up of legal experts who hold mock congressional hearings. They are judged by how well they know the law.

“We have to study a lot. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun,” student Caly Rice said.

“It takes a lot of dedication, a lot of time to put in for speeches and follow-up questions,” student Josh Parry added.

After winning a district competition, BCJHS students went on to win state. It’s their 5th year winning the state title.

They’ve also won the only two national titles since the class, in high school curriculum but opened to junior high kids.

“Everybody always asks me how we win. I tell them hard work pays off. We outwork the competition,” teacher Mike Potts explained.

The group heads to Washington D.C. April 17th.

According to Potts, the trip cost a little more than $30,000 to cover airfare and hotel accommodations for students and adult chaperons.

We the People is fundraising for the trip.

The Lions Club in Nashville is holding an event on Tuesday to raise money, and the Nashville Town Council is also fundraising on Thursday. Both events begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public.

Donations are also welcomed at Brown County Junior High School during business hours.