Congratulations to two of our outstanding sixth-graders who earned first and second place in the U.S. District Court essay contest!
 
Amare Xavier Brillant of Quibbletown Middle School took first place, under the guidance of social studies teacher Jamie Tympanick. Leyla Vargas of Conackamack Middle School took second place, guided by social studies teacher Joan Greenwald. 
 
The contest was open to schools throughout the U.S. District Court Trenton Vicinage, which covers a large swath of Central Jersey, which makes it even more special for Piscataway to have the top two finishers. Their essays addressed the question, “Does the U.S. Constitution address the grievances in the Declaration of Independence?” which aligns with their sixth-grade civics lessons.
 
Both students were honored along with their classmates on May 5 at the Clarkson S. Fisher U.S. Courthouse in Trenton. They read their essays from the judge’s bench, and students were able to meet several judges and members of the court to discuss laws and civic engagement. They were accompanied by Quibbletown Principal William Gonzalez, Conackamack Principal Dr. Matthew Ritchie, and Superintendent Erskine R. Glover. 
 
Thanks to K-8 Supervisor of Social Studies Christopher Irovando for coordinating the visit.