Copper Gazette: Copper youth recognized at Calaveras County Taxpayers Association luncheon with Congressman Tom McClintock

Four Calaveras youth were honored at a luncheon held October 19, 2011 by the Calaveras County Taxpayers Association featuring keynote speaker Congressman Thomas McClintock for their winning entries in the CCTA Constitution Contest. The Taxpayers group had reached out to all Calaveras schools to celebrate the U.S. Constitution, known as "the supreme law of the land", with a creative art, essay, and video contest, the winners were:

The essay (grade 8) $50 winner was Marshall Maness of Mark Twain Elementary school.

The first place art poster $25 winner was Matteo Arce, 2^nd grade, of Michelson Elementary school.

The second place art poster $15 winner was Gabriella Malamed, 4^th grade, of Valley Springs Elementary school.

The third place art poster $10 winner was Ellie Willard, 4^th grade, of Valley Springs Elementary school.

Copperopolis resident and Mark Twain 8th grader Marshall Maness chose to write his winning essay on the VI Ammendment. The title of his essay was "The Sixth Ammendment - defense of the indigent." In Marshall's essay he explained that the VI Ammendment "levels the playing field" for those with less means. Allowing for legal counsel for those not able to afford legal counsel. Pointing out that "If the sixth amendment wasn’t established many of the innocent who had been falsely accused for something they didn’t do wouldn’t have defense."

Marshall Maness with Congressman McClintock

Congressman McClintock took time to greet each child and thank them for their participation in the Constitution contest. With ease he was able to explain in terms the youth could understand how the Constitution was set up not so that Government could tell the people what to do but so the people could tell the Government what to do.