In honor of Constitution Day, AP Government students at Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) come together to bring history to life through powerful recitations of America’s most influential document: the Constitution. Continuing the school’s annual tradition, on Thursday, Sept. 17th, seniors stepped into the spirit of U.S. history, dressing in the flag’s colors, red, white, and blue. Bursting with heartfelt symbolism, this PPCHS tradition transforms Constitution Day into a living memory where the voices from the past echo passionately through the voices of tomorrow.
“I think it’s really interesting; it’s like a senior tradition where everyone gets together, and we all share our [proud] American patriotic spirit,” says Christopher Hutchinson, a senior in AP Government.
Students share how they had grown up seeing this particular tradition since their freshman year, knowing it was established around 13 years ago. They express how excited they were to finally be able to step into that role, roaming the campus with passion and loud voices while reciting excerpts of the Constitution. Beyond all the excitement, not only does Constitution Day create a community among the students, but it also creates a sense of recognition towards history.
“I’ve been seeing this since freshman year, so it’s obviously something that I’ve been looking forward to. We were all getting ready last night, and it was fun preparing,” senior Shayan Chowdhury shares.
For years, AP Government teachers Mr. Quigley and Mrs. Hyacinth dismissed traditional worksheets or essays, choosing instead to bring history to the present. Rather than having students memorize facts and educational details, they encourage their students to step into the shoes of America’s founders through a sort of reenactment. What could’ve been an ordinary day was transformed into an engaging lesson, which is not only educational but also fun and memorable. The seniors finally feel that nostalgic feeling of finally taking part in the tradition that they grew up watching their upperclassmen do.
“The students were excited about it. It’s a way of doing something for the Constitution that isn’t an assignment, and hopefully it’s a little more fun, a little more cool, a little bit more interactive, and something they like,” Mr. Quigley says.
“This is a way the whole school can interact with the Constitution in some way, so it’s better than just doing it in a classroom because then everyone is exposed to it,” Mrs. Hyacinth notes.
Through this long-standing tradition, a sense of school spirit surfaces each year. Students get dressed up, take photos, get interviewed, and simply enjoy time with their friends. They come together to express exactly what Constitution Day means for them: celebrating not only history, but school spirit. For seniors, this is a day where they finally become part of this inspiring tradition, appreciating the effort that the teachers put into it as well.
Emmanuel Baptiste says, “I think it shows how great a teacher he is, and how unique an approach he takes in the classroom. And you see the excitement of the students at the [River of Grass], on the steps, and at the fountain. I think it really just shows how much he has the class come together and how much we enjoy it, so I really appreciate his teaching style.”
Here at PPCHS, Constitution Day is more than just a lesson in class; it is a celebration and recognition of history, community, and class spirit. Through the years of traditions, the seniors step into a role that allows them to honor history while creating wholesome memories with their friends. At PPCHS, the goal is to show that learning stretches further than textbooks and lectures; it’s also about engaging, participating, and creating experiences amongst the community that will carry lessons of history forward in a significant way.
