STATE COLLEGE — In honor of Constitution Day, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Making Our Voices Heard Roundtables will focus on the theme of “We the People.”

The free event is open to the public at a new location: the Delta High School, 653 Westerly Parkway, State College. Although walk-ins are welcome, the public is encouraged to register in advance at wpsu.org/constiutionday.

The annual event is organized by Constitution Day Centre Inc., a local nonprofit promoting the annual celebration of the U.S. Constitution and civil and civic conversations among people of varying beliefs and perspectives as part of our collective Democratic responsibility. 2025 partners are WPSU Public Media and the Delta Middle School & Delta High School, State College Area School District.

Led by group moderators and simple guidelines, participants will share their perspectives on three questions: What values do most Americans share? How could we make our political conversations more productive? How might the Bill of Rights be adapted for today?

At the conclusion, each group will present highlights of their discussions to the larger group. A summary of the roundtables will be shared with local media, public officials and the public.

David Hutchinson, CDC president, said, “These are not questions with easy or simple answers. But with thoughtfulness and a willingness to consider other perspectives, we can discover our areas of common ground and a place from which we can move forward.

“We need the practice of having civil conversations — and demonstrate that such conversations are possible, and potentially productive. If we are to fulfill Lincoln’s vision of a government by the people, we need to exercise our citizenship skills,” he added.

“Writer Alexandra Hudson suggested that we model a deeper, more demanding civility: one that embraces truth without cruelty, holds conviction without contempt and navigates disagreement without dehumanization,” said Hutchinson.

After the roundtable, there will be a brief presentation of the annual Madison Award for Civility in the Community. This award recognizes area residents or a local organization for their excellence in community leadership and civility.

Constitution Day Centre has hosted annual celebrations since 2017. More information is at constitutiondaycentre.org or by contacting info@constitutiondaycentre.org. The 2024 celebration has received support from the Proud To Be An American Fund at Centre Foundation, and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Funding is made possible by HVAB and the Centre County Commissioners.

Follow Cons2tu2on Day Centre on Facebook, Instagram and the YouTube Channel.