All essays are in format.

6th Grade

• First Place: Sarah Raich—L’Anse Creuse Middle School North, Macomb–Teacher: David Nordstrom, Jr.
• Second Place: Eli Sugerman—Tappan Middle School, Ann Arbor–Teacher: Wendy Raymond
• Third Place: Jooyoung Moon—Tappan Middle School, Ann Arbor–Teacher: Wendy Raymond

7th Grade

• First Place: Jessica Goletz—L’Anse Creuse MD School North, Macomb–Teacher: Ms. Furnas
• Second Place: Katie Gardner—Holy Name School, Escanaba–Teacher: Mrs. Bernson
• Third Place: McKenna Blackhurst—Jefferson MD School, Midland–Teacher: Ms. Julie Villano

8th Grade

• First Place: David Selden-Treiman—Gagie School, Kalamazoo–Teacher: Dr. Sandra Gagie
• Second Place: Jon R. Hilliker—homeschooled, Jonesville–Teacher: mother Elaine Hilliker
• Third Place: Christa Marie Byrd—L’Anse Creuse MD School East, Chesterfield–Teacher: Mrs. Kyra Hickey

"Should" Questions

1. Suppose that the executive branch has become aware that a congressman has been misappropriating federal funds and selling military secrets. Should the president issue an executive order expelling the congressman from the House of Representatives?

• See Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486 (1969)

2. Suppose that our elected officials in the United States Congress are displeased with the president’s military decisions, and have passed a law declaring the Speaker of the House to be the temporary Commander in Chief for a specified period of time. Further suppose that the Senate and the House of Representatives have overridden the president’s veto and it has become law. Should the judicial branch of government be able to overrule a law on constitutional grounds?

• See Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137 (1803)
• See Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court’s First Great Case ABA Lesson Plan

3. Suppose that the United States Congress wants to be the branch of government to decide whether an existing law is constitutional. Should Congress have the power of judicial review?

• See Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. 137 (1803)
• See Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court’s First Great Case ABA Lesson Plan

4. Suppose the United States is in the process of writing a new Constitution, as Thomas Jefferson once envisioned might be necessary every twenty years because the earth belongs always to the living generation. Should the constitution include more specifications of separate and mutually exclusive duties for each branch of government?

• See Mistretta v. United States, 488 U.S. 361 (1989)

5. Suppose that the president, acting on his own authority and without a court warrant, has ordered surveillance on suspected foreign terrorist operatives within the United States. Should the president be able to order federal officials to eavesdrop on people within the United States?

• See United States v. United States District Court, 407 U.S. 297 (1972)

6. Suppose that the President has chosen a Supreme Court nominee that some members of the United States Senate do not want to confirm. Further suppose that the nominee does not lack adequate legal training or legal experience, and that there is no evidence of unethical behavior such as racial or religious prejudice in the nominee’s background. Should members of the United States Senate be able to reject the president’s nominee for the Supreme Court because they disagree with his or her political beliefs?

• See Edmond v. United States, 520 U.S. 651 (1997)
• See Bill of Rights in Action Constitutional Rights Foundation Teaching Unit (See particularly the section titled An Issue of Consent)

7. Suppose that Congress wants to create a new Federal Land Agency that will have the authority to pass and enforce laws related to vehicle use on federally owned land. Should congress delegate the authority to make and execute laws to the same agency?

• See Bowsher v. Synar, 478 U.S. 714 (1986)
• See No Vehicles in the Park Washington Courts Judges in the Classroom Lesson Plan