Thousands of students across the nation competed, but in the end two teams from Palmetto Middle School emerged victorious in the National Constitution Center's Pen in Hand contest, copping both first place and runner up.

First place winners Hillary Blake, Lauren Snitzer and Kimberly Gouz are presented with their awards by Ralph Archbold dressed as Ben Franklin.

The competition required students to write and then defend an amendment to the constitution.

Pictured are (left to right) assistant principal Alfred Meneses; first runners-up Jackie Orta, Susan Luo and Vicky Rabin; teacher Iris Katz; Ralph Archbold dressed as Ben Franklin; and the first place team of Hillary Blake, Lauren Snitzer and Kimberly Gouz.

The winning team was made up of students Hillary Blake, Kimberly Gouz, and Lauren Snitzer, while the runner-up team included Susan Luo, Vicky Rabin and Jackie Orta.

"We're very proud of the students who worked very hard for this," said Iris Katz, who teaches gifted-advanced courses in U.S. History. Katz said she was also speaking on behalf of her colleague, teacher Paul Stahley.

Many students attended a presentation on the life and times of Ben Franklin, as portrayed by actor Ralph Archbold. The veteran thespian has played the American icon for more than 20 years. Archbold's portrayal included a monologue and he later presented the Palmetto Middle School teams with their awards.

The Palmetto Middle School name, as well as the names of the six students, will be inscribed on the wall of the National Constitution Center, now under construction in Philadelphia.