As the first-period bell rings, voices shouting the beginning of the U.S. Constitution begin to travel around different parts of Charter’s campus. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, […]” Shouts the AP Government students to celebrate the annual PPCHS tradition of Constitution Day.
12 years ago, the state of Florida passed a bill mandating teachers to give an activity about the Constitution each year on September 17th. “Being not a traditional teacher, I didn’t want to do it by just doing something in class that was typical and boring; I wanted to do something which would get my students up and about and doing something,” said AP Government teacher Mr. Quigley. He and Mr. Bayer then decided to do something unheard of: have students recite the Constitution throughout campus. Thus a PPCHS tradition was born.
While Constitution Day is a tradition, it can give students different perspectives on the celebration. “Carrying the tradition is an honor to keep it alive; It’s something I have looked forward to ever since I was an underclassman,” says Dylan Capiro, a volunteering senior for the event. “On regular days in school, you’re told things you can or can’t do. It feels nice to be able to let ourselves go while screaming the Constitution [and have no one tell us otherwise].”
“I wasn’t nervous to be in the activity; as a freshman, you see this happening and want to be a part of it. Being able to go to Party City, purchase U.S-related decorations to wear, and learn the Constitution as you scream it to everyone in the school; it’s fun and eventful!” Says Brianna Lamy as she watches her group reading out the Constitution.
Constitution Day always confuses new underclassmen in the school. PPCHS freshman John Abohasen discusses, “I was confused and unsure on why they were screaming The Constitution around different parts of the school. [When I was] listening to them scream The Constitution, I wondered what it was like to be up there screaming with them as well.”
Mr. Quigley, the spearhead of the event, hopes that students “get an experience of doing something where they stand out from their fellow students and that they realize that standing up and speaking up isn’t gonna kill [them].” However, he centers Constitution Day around having fun and being brave. “I always love to see what the kids do with it and what their experience with it is. For many students, this may be the first time they’ve ever stood in front of their fellow students, most of whom are strangers, and do something.”
This special day at Charter is also a tradition that is very near and dear to Mr. Quigley’s heart. “[The students’ dedication makes it feel] like they’re making it their own. Like this is no longer my activity, it’s their activity. So when they take it and run with it… it feels like they’re taking ownership of it.”
Moreover, it’s worth noting that this year is an election year and one of the most important elections at that time. Though it didn’t affect his view on Constitution Day, Mr. Quigley said “I don’t really think about that; what I think more of is the patriotism and pride I hope students feel a little bit of by celebrating the greatest document in the history of the world when it comes to government.” He went on to explain that while Gen Z is often dubbed as “anti-American” and accused of loathing the U.S. government, seeing the students’ dedication to Constitution Day proves to him that Gen Z still has lots of love for their country.
As the dismissal bell nears, American Flags and megaphones are returned to classrooms. AP Government has completed yet another successful Constitution Day. The campus is not filled with the chants of students but with a buzz of excitement for next year. Though Mr. Quigley and the students have given back all of their scripts and American accessories, they have also given back immensely to the Pines Charter community.
