Speaking of talented students, students at West Career and Technical Academy are headed to Washington, D.C., to represent Nevada at the national competition of We the People.

The program puts students through a simulated congressional hearing and test their knowledge of the Constitution.

Joining me now from West CTA is Teacher Ryan Handlon and Students Reagan Catlett and Daniel Malchov.

Thank you all for being here.

-Thank you.

-And congratulations!

So proud of you guys.

I have to ask you first.

For people not familiar with We the People, tell us about this wonderful opportunity.

(Ryan Handlon) Yeah.

So We the People is an incredible program.

And I had a chance to kind of come alongside people a few years ago, a chance to be trained on it, and then I got a chance this year to take it-- last year I got a chance to take it over myself.

What We the People does is exactly like you said, it puts students through simulated congressional hearings.

And for people that don't really know that, it's sort of like what you see on TV when there's a panel of experts that have to present in front of congressmen and congresswomen and they get grilled on their knowledge of a topic.

So in their case, what they do is they are given a subject matter, they're given a question, they have to research it deeply, they have to research Constitution, court cases.

They're then put in front of real-time judges, lawyers, politicians, and then they give a speech with their teammates.

And then they have to defend it in cross-examination.

Usually, like 10 minutes of cross-exam from real-time people who do this for a living, That put them to it, and they make them earn it.

-Hey, they're getting a trip to Washington, D.C. Well deserved!

They definitely earned it.

Reagan, tell me about this experience for you on a personal level.

How did you get involved?

(Reagan Catlett) So last year, as a junior, I had the opportunity to take either AP Government or We the People.

And knowing that I really wanted to learn in depth about the Constitution, I figured We the People would be the best class for me.

And going on, it really has been.

I've been able to work hands-on with the Constitution, court cases, I've been able to go to Reno, and now going to Washington, D.C., has just been an amazing experience and allowed me to really learn about our government system.

-And Daniel, how about you, how long in the program?

(Daniel Malchov) I've only been this year, my senior year.

But the experiences I've learned this year are basically a lifetime of being in this program.

-To be able to say you're going to Washington, D.C., I mean, how does that feel?

What are your family members saying?

-It's honestly so amazing to be there and see all of our hard work being able to be paid off and go see what we have been learning for the past senior year.

-And what about you, Daniel?

-My parents are extremely supportive, and they can't wait to see me in Washington, D.C. And I myself am extremely excited to be at Washington, D.C. -And I have to ask you, you guys hold a very important distinction because you've been there, this will be your second trip, and tell us why that's so important.

-So, yeah, I mean, we are one of only several teams in the last 23 years to be able to go and represent Southern Nevada in Washington, D.C., in the national competition.

I was able to go along with some people a few years ago, and that gave me kind of a little bit of knowledge I needed to then take it this year and try to push it forward.

So yeah, it's just, it's mind blowing.

-And in 23 years, Southern Nevada has only been invited three times, right?

This is the third time, and you guys went twice.

-We went twice, yeah.

-And when you go to Washington, D.C., will you have time, I mean you'll be busy, but will you have time to see all the beautiful monuments and the sights?

-Yes, absolutely.

We have a planned-out schedule every single day.

We're going to be visiting the Washington Monument, the White House on the first day, the African American Museum, the Jewish Historical Museum, the Korean War Museum, and plenty of others across our time there.

-Reagan, will you be able to meet with some Nevada lawmakers while you're there?

-I don't know who is on our judging panel.

I do hope to be able to meet some.

Anyone, any politicians would be super great to meet.

-And Mr. Handlon, it's a big group going.

How many students?

-We have 26 going.

-Okay.

And that takes a lot of money.

What's going on with that?

You need help?

-Yeah.

You know, it does obviously take a community effort to do that.

So, you know, any support that we can get, we're looking for.

It's definitely one of those things.

We want to represent Southern Nevada well, so anything that anybody can do to give us a little push, we would take it.

-Well, congratulations and good luck.

I've been to D.C., and it's beautiful.

And what a wonderful experience.

-Thank you.

-Can't wait to welcome you back after you go.

-Yes.