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COLUMBIA - Columbia Public School district hosted it's first 9th Grade Government Capstone Showcase event Tuesday night. The top 9th grade government students showed off their knowledge of the United States government to friends, community members and judges.

The event is based off a program called "We The People" by the Center of Civic Education and was nationally funded.But that funding was cut. Social studies coordinator Nick Crammer said the district felt a need to bring it back.

"We decided at Columbia Public Schools that this program was so good and we wanted to preserve it and expose our students to the opportunity for the first time."

Crammer continues to say this is the first time Columbia Public Schools have decided to make government class year long instead of a semester that is why they created a capstone event.

Students have been working up to this event all school year but spent the last month and a half rigorously preparing. Jefferson Junior High participant Elizabeth Opton said it was well worth it.

"Even though it is over now I had a great time preparing, my teacher really inspired us to do a good job and I feel like we made him proud," said Opton.

Opton also says she is excited to see how a program like this will effect her classmates in the future.

After the hearings and presentations keynote speaker Former U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof gave praises to all students and parents who participated in the event. He told stories and laughed with the audience but then urged the 9th graders to continue in their education.

Each student that was a part of the event was given an award for their hard work.

Community members say they hope this becomes an annual event because of the impact it can have on first year high school students.