National Awards
Awards will be presented to teams in three categories: Top-10, Unit, and Division.
Top-10 Awards
These awards are presented to the ten schools with the highest cumulative scores during the three days of competition. The team with the highest overall score will be awarded the National Championship.
2026 Winners
- Champions: California - Foothill High School
- 2nd: Virginia Wildcard - Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
- 3rd: Oregon - Grant High School
- 4th: Wisconsin - Wauwatosa West High School
- 5th: Virginia - Douglas Freeman High School
- 6th: Oregon Wildcard - Lincoln High School
- 7th: Washington - Tahoma Senior High School
- 8th: Connecticut - Trumbull High School
- 9th: Michigan - East Kentwood High School
- 10th: Nevada - Incline High School
Unit Awards
Special awards are presented to the schools achieving the highest cumulative scores, based on the first two days of the competition, in each of the six units of the We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution textbook:
- Unit 1: What Are the Philosophical and Historical Foundations of the American Political System?
- Unit 2: How Did the Framers Create the Constitution?
- Unit 3: How Has the Constitution Been Changed to Further the Ideals Contained in the Declaration of Independence?
- Unit 4: How Have the Values and Principles Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Instituions and Practices?
- Unit 5: What Rights Does the Bill of Rights Protect?
- Unit 6: What Challenges Might Face American Constitutional Democracy in the Twenty-First Century?
2026 Winners
- Unit 1: Arizona Wildcard - Corona Del Sol High School
- Unit 2: Massachusetts - Easthampton High School
- Unit 3: Colorado - East High School
- Unit 4: Connecticut Wildcard - Staples High School
- Unit 5: Virginia Open - Glen Allen High School
- Unit 6: California Wildcard - Amador Valley High School
- America250 Award: Florida - Hialeah Gardens Senior High School
Division Awards
Special awards are presented to the teams achieving the highest cumulative scores, based on the first two days of the competition, in each of the four divisions (A, B, C, and D). Divisions are composed in a way that balances teams based on prior performance.
2026 Winners
- Division A: Kentucky - Highlands High School
- Division B: Indiana Wildcard - Plainfield High School
- Division C: Nevada Wildcard - Reno High School
- Division D: New Jersey - East Brunswick High School
Alumni Awards
In addition to the awards for the National Finals competitors, the Center also honors We the People alumni at the National Finals Awards Ceremony:
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Presented to an alum, 18-34 years of age at the time of nomination, who has distinguished themself through service to their community, their country, or to society at large.
2026 Winner
- Akash Abraham
We the People Class of 2024
Faith Lutheran Middle and High School
Cincinnatus Award
Presented to an alum, over 35 years of age, who has provided extraordinary service to the world and who represents the ideals of virtuous service to benefit the common good.
2026 Winner
- Derek Chollet
We the People Class of 1989
Lincoln Southeast High School
Awards Ceremony
The 2026 National Finals Awards Ceremony took place on Sunday, April 19. This special event was streamed live via YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
Past Winners
The 2025 National Finals winners are listed below:
Top-10 Winners
- 1st Place: Lincoln High School & Sprague High School
- 2nd Place: Denver East High School & Fishers High School
- 5th Place: Reno High School
- 6th Place: Douglas S. Freeman High School
- 7th Place: Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies
- 8th Place: Staples High School
- 9th Place: Arcadia High School
- 10th Place: Corona del Sol High School
Division Winners
Unit Winners
