We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution – California
We the People is a national civics curriculum and competition in which student teams simulate congressional hearings, testifying as constitutional experts before panels of judges. California's state finals draw 200+ students to the Sacramento area each February, with the winning team advancing to national finals in Washington, D.C.
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American Legion Oratorical Contest – California
The American Legion's High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is a constitutional speech contest requiring students to deliver original orations on the U.S. Constitution and citizens' duties to government. California students compete through post, district, and area rounds before an annual Department (state) final, with winners advancing toward national competition for college scholarships.
Northern California Regional High School Ethics Bowl
The Northern California Regional High School Ethics Bowl, hosted by UC Santa Cruz's Center for Public Philosophy, brings Bay Area high school teams together to collaboratively deliberate on contemporary ethical and policy dilemmas rather than debate adversarially. The regional serves as an official qualifier for the National High School Ethics Bowl.
TeenPact California
TeenPact Leadership Schools' California program brings students to the State Capitol in Sacramento for a hands-on multi-day class in the legislative process, including a mock legislature, bill-writing, parliamentary procedure, and a public speaking workshop.
San Francisco Youth Commission
The San Francisco Youth Commission is the city's official youth advisory body, made up of 17 commissioners ages 12-23 who advise the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on budget and policy decisions affecting young people. Commissioners are selected through a written application and interview process.
American Legion California Boys & Girls State
American Legion California Boys & Girls State is a weeklong, coeducational hands-on civics program where rising seniors build and run mock city, county, and state governments, campaign for office, and pass legislation. The 87th session runs June 20-27, 2026 at California State University, Sacramento.
California Student Mock Election
The California Student Mock Election, run by the Secretary of State's office, lets middle and high school students cast ballots in a statewide mock vote timed alongside real general elections, giving students hands-on experience with the voting process before they are eligible to vote.