TOP STORY OF THE DAY: DAR: Constitution Week

HAYLEY COOPER PHOTOS - Jackson Township Elementary Principal Brad Ennen signs the school proclamation declaring it Constitution Week 2023. Two fifth-grade witnesses, Nolan Theimann and Sydni McNeely, stand beside him. (Left) Members of Eliza Rizley Stacey Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution: Janella Knierim, Donna Wells, Cheryl Steuerwald, and Karen Webb on the other side. (Right)

DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, are making their patriotic rounds announcing Consitution Week.

Last Week, Mayor Brian Wyndham signed a proclamation declaring September 17-23 Constitution Week in Brazil. This Week, the Principal of Jackson Township Elementary School, Brad Ennen, signed their school proclamation with two fifth-grade witnesses.

The proclamation states in part, "Whereas, September 17, 2023, marks the two hundred and thirty-sixth anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. Whereas, it is fitting and proper to officially recognize this magnificent document and the anniversary of its creation."

After being invited by Principal Ennen, DAR chapter members visited the school to share the celebration with two fifth-grade classes. They lined the halls with Constitution Week posters, and students enjoyed learning about the Constitution and hand motions for the Preamble. Students also received bookmarks and a birthday card to fill out and color for the Constitution. DAR member and chairperson of the Constitution Committee, Donna Wells, brought in an old school bell to demonstrate that bells were used to signify the finalization of The Constitution.

"When the founding fathers finally finished and agreed on The Constitution, when they went out, the church bells all rang because that was in celebration of 'they finally got it!' because it took them months to get to that point," explained Donna Wells.

Wells says Constitution Week wasn't recognized when she was in school but believes it's essential to learn about.

"It's something they need to learn about, the Constitution. I know we had to memorize the Preamble," said Wells.

This was DAR's first time doing a program like this, but the hope is to do more. Next year, if other schools want to do something similar, there are already talks of dividing into smaller groups to accommodate more local schools.

"This is our first year doing something like this. I think we had a good time; I think the kids had a good time," explained Wells. "We might have to divide up, and a couple go to each school."

The children's and DAR member's favorite part of the program was learning the hand signals for the Preamble, which included waving your arms like an Eagle.

"I enjoyed doing the motions to help them memorize the Preabmle, and I think they enjoyed that too."

DAR member Karen Webb echoed that statement, saying working with the kids was here favorite part of the experience.

"Working with the kids, teaching them the hand signs because they were so good, and they were excited. They caught on right away."