Pike Bar visits Wallenpaupack Middle School for Law Day
Hawley — The Pike County Bar Association Law Day Committee members met with many of the Wallenpaupack Middle School Gifted Students on May 1 in celebration of Law Day. PCBA President Elizabeth Erickson Kameen and Law Day Chairpersons Attorney Shannon Muir and Attorney Elizabeth Burton provided the outline for the students to perform a mock trial at the school. To begin, the students were given a “legal primer” with basic information regarding the theme of “equality under the law” including how it applies to people based on race, gender, religion or otherwise. The attorneys addressed situations of discrimination and how the Constitution, its Amendments, statutes and case law apply. In addition, students learned about the importance of attorneys and judges in the legal system.
“The combination of fun and education made ‘Law Day 2013’ a successful, informative and innovative program for the students.” stated Kameen. “Public schools are at the heart of any community and the bar association is honored to contribute to Law Day awareness in our local schools.”
Law Day Chairwoman Muir said that “few other professionals touch lives as teachers do and on behalf of the Law Day Committee we appreciate the opportunity to join those educators on Law Day.” As part of the program, Co-Chair Burton and attorney volunteers referred to the “Equal Protection Clause” of the 14 Amendment of the Constitution. Students and attorneys discussed discrimination from its most basic format — such as selling identical candy bars to all boys for 70 cents while all girls pay $1.00 — and discussing its fairness, to complex issues of employment discrimination based on race, gender, etc. Students were supplied with “Constitution booklets” and pens in further celebration of Law Day.
Pike County Bar Association President Elizabeth A. Erickson Kameen commended Law Day Chairwomen Shannon Muir and Elizabeth Burton for their creative writing skills in developing the fictional case of “the Green-Eyed Blues.” The case centered around “Suzie Green Eyes” and “Principal McGrumps” and their disagreement over the Principal’s new rule that green eyed students couldn’t eat lunch on Fridays. Kameen praised additional attorney volunteers Henry Nardi, Matthew Galasso, Kelly Gaughan, Tammy Clause and Randy Borden for their willingness to help with Law Day.
Students enjoyed the opportunity to role play “Judge Fairness,” the “Court Crier,” “Attorney Allright” and “Attorney Shapiro” at “counsel tables” along with their clients “Suzie Green Eyes” and “Principal McGrumps.” The attorney volunteers guided the students in the legal process including selection of the jury foreperson, jury deliberation and the rendering of the verdict. After “deliberations,” the “jury foreperson” delivered the verdict by stating “We the jury find in favor of the Plaintiff Suzie Green Eyes and conclude that “Suzie Green Eyes” and her “Green-Eyed classmates” were being unfairly discriminated against by Principal McGrumps.” The students learned a lot through the process of working through this fictional case.
President Kameen thanked Wallenpaupack Middle School Principal Keith Gunuskey; Mrs. Argyro Paspalas, Gifted Support K-8 Teacher; and Mrs. Colleen Edwards, Career Education Coordinator for their commitment to education. “The Pike County Bar Association’s commitment to education in our community brings real life experience directly into the classroom,” stated Principal Keith Gunuskey as he invited members of the Pike County Bar Association to make Law Day an annual event at the school. He added “Our students welcome the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about all aspects of the law and we look forward to the expansion of the program next year to reach more students.” Mrs. Edwards thanked the Pike County Bar Association “for providing an opportunity for our students to be so engaged in learning about the law, in a practical and fun activity, how nice for them to interact with such positive role models and professionals.”
The Pike County Bar Association is committed to the advancement of legal education within the community. More information can be found at pikebar.com