By Tabassum Ali

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The 11th year of UK’s Constitution Day celebrations opens Monday, marking three days of celebration and contemplation of the American political system.

“A Conversation with U.S. Rep. Andy Barr on the U.S. Constitution” will open the events in room 122 of the White Hall Classroom Building. Journalism professor and Citizen Kentucky Project director Buck Ryan’s journalism class will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10:50. Students in the class will question the representative about the constitution and the press.

Ryan’s “Citizen Kentucky: Journalism and Democracy” class organized the Tuesday event, which begins with apple pie, lemonade and treat bags provided on the north lawn of the Main Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a reenactor of Kentucky statesman Henry Clay from the Kentucky Humanities Council’s Kentucky Chautauqua speaker series.

Singers from the Christ the King school in Lexington will also perform.

“It is part of our tradition, a fun way for them to understand their constitution rights and the candidates who are running,” Ryan said.

Pre-pharmacy freshman Scott Reams helped organize the event in the Citizen Kentucky class.

“When I first heard about the event, I was so excited to help out, as I think civic education is very important,” Reams said.

Biology freshman Faith Evans said the event is a good way to become involved with civic education on campus, as the event was created to make people aware of what is going on in the community.

Students attending will be encouraged to register to vote, Reams said.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray and UK Assistant Vice President for Public Safety Anthany Beatty, the two Nov. 4 mayoral election candidates, have also been invited to speak at the event, Ryan said.

Tuesday acts as a preview for the Oct. 28 “This I Believe … is the Future of Lexington” debate between the candidates. Gray and Beatty will discuss issues of safety and environment that will effect their time as mayor, Ryan said.

Wednesday will also mark the 100th anniversary of journalism education at UK and will be celebrated on the north lawn of the Main Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first Enoch Grehan prize will be awarded by Citizen Kentucky to Jamie Miller and Liz Palmer of Louisville, Ky.

It’s important for students to involve themselves in current events, Ryan said.

“If you do not do politics, politics will do you,” he said.

The goals for the event are increasing patriotism, helping students understand their constitutional rights and “energizing young voters to get involved and feel more confident in voting,” Ryan said.

“I hope that my fellow students will walk away with a sense of understanding,” Reams said. “As well as feeling like they enjoyed the event and see the importance of such a monumental document.”