WASHINGTON -- Representative Tom Petri met with 12 Ripon High School students on the Capitol steps Tuesday. The 10 seniors and two juniors are Wisconsin's winning state team in a "We the People" social studies contest, and were in Washington to compete on the national level in which they made presentations and answered questions Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning until they were eliminated - an event which allowed them to spend extra time touring the national capital.

"They didn't make it this year, but they are going to be back," Petri said of Ripon's team. "They did really well and deserve congratulations. And I know they will be participating again next year, and hope to do even better."

John Clark Pahlas, a senior, said of the trip, "I've learned more than I learned all school year, just in a matter of two days. It has been really influential."

The students will return to Wisconsin late today.

Rep. Tom Petri joins 12 students from Ripon High School on the Capitol steps on May 2, 2007. The students were in Washington to compete in the "We the People" social studies contest.