North Smithfield Students Capture State Title

This past Valentine’s Day, a group of 34 freshmen from North Smithfield High School captured Rhode Island’s We The People state competition title. Among these 34 talented students was Jacob Haner, son of Residential Properties’ own Christine Haner. “We are so proud of Jacob and his fellow honor students,” exclaims Christine, currently a relocation counselor in RPL’s Relocation Division. “These students have been working so hard since September to earn this achievement.” The competition thrusts students into a simulated congressional hearing where they must work together as a team to answer questions, defend their stance, and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles in front a panel of 72 judges who score them through a performance-based assessment. Jacob and his classmates will now travel to Washington, D.C. to take place in the National Finals held from April 26 through April 29 at George Mason University as well as actual hearing rooms on Capitol Hill. During their time at the competition, Jacob and the other North Smithfield High students will have the opportunity to tour the nation’s capital and meet with members of Congress and other dignitaries. “My family and I are very much looking forward to traveling to Virginia,” explains Christine. “We are so excited to watch Jacob and his classmates compete against students from throughout the nation.” This marks the seventh straight year that North Smithfield has won the state competition. Last year, the school enjoyed their most successful campaign, finishing in the top half of the nation. The previous year, North Smithfield earned the state’s first-ever Unit Award. Teams are broken up into six different units, with the highest scoring units in each category earning a Unit Award. This was the first and only Unit Award that Rhode Island has earned in the competition's 25-year history. The North Smithfield students are currently planning a myriad of fundraising events to help cover the cost of their trip, including: - a car wash at N. Smithfield High on April 7 from 12-3 pm - a Gator’s Pub Night on March 27 from 5-9 pm In preparation for the National Finals, North Smithfield High will be hosting a Dress Rehearsal event on April 22. The event will be open to the public and begins a 6:30 p.m. with refreshments to follow. Anyone interested in supporting North Smithfield High’s winning freshman class can submit donations by mailing checks made out to “NSHS” to North Smithfield High School, 412 Greenville Road, North Smithfield, Rhode Island, 02896.