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Perrysburg Junior High School Mock Trial
In the Perrysburg Junior High School Mock Trial Program, Judge Dwight Osterud and attorneys Mary Sue Barone, Ted Kurt and Jackie Shultz meet with 22 students once a week to practice after school and then more frequently as they near the annual competition date. Junior high teams compete at the Middle School Mock Trial Showcase at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in downtown Columbus, this year held on April 20, 2018. Local judges and attorneys judge the competitions. They award a “Best Attorney” and “Best Witness” award at each trial. Judge Molly Mack and her staff allowed the PJHS teams to practice at the Perrysburg Municipal Court twice in April to better prepare for the Showcase.
Students portray either attorneys or witnesses. Each team also has a student perform the role of bailiff/timekeeper. Each team presents both sides of the case at the Showcase in Columbus, prosecution side in one round and defense side in the other round. The Ohio Center for Law Related Education (OCLRE) creates the case materials, based on a book. The case this year was a criminal case, based on the novel by Avi, ”The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.”
Attorneys ask direct examination questions of three witnesses and cross-examination questions of the other side’s three witnesses. Each attorney also prepares and presents either an opening statement or a closing argument. Witnesses memorize their parts and work with the attorneys in developing their testimony, which must be based on the witness statements provided in the case materials.
Attorneys learn the mock trial Rules of Evidence and have the opportunity to raise objections (such as hearsay, relevance or speculation) to the opponent’s case, just like in actual trials. Students learn how to organize the materials into a coherent and persuasive argument, question witnesses to elicit favorable testimony and think on their feet. The coaches are very proud of the impressive progress that the students have made this year. They hope that they continue participating in Mock Trial in high school!
PJHS Mock Trial 2017-2018 included: Ysabella Aromas, Raushni Bumrah, Arthur Chen, Andrew Chung, Diego Diaz, Lucas Fiscus, Lauren Gorcz, Andrew Gudgeon, Brayden Hickerson, James Huynh, Fionna Lam, Jack Lamberger, Benjamin Liederback, Nikhil Methi, Daniel Mills, Kathryn Osten, Adam Roberts, Calvin Siefke, Nicholas Smith, Ashley Strayer, Ahan Trivedi and Evan White.
Alborz Salehi6th GradeHull Prairie Intermediate School
Alborz Salehi is known to be a curious and enthusiastic learner at Hull Prairie Intermediate School. Alborz was born in Tehran, the capital of Iran. When he was four years old, his family moved to Arlington, Texas. He spent his 1st and 2nd grade years in Findlay, Ohio then in 3rd grade he became a Yellow Jacket!
Visiting family is a journey – Alborz's closest relative is his Uncle who lives in Toronto, Ontario. Yet he and his mother visit his Grandmother and Aunt each summer in Tehran. Which means, it is good to have something to do while traveling to see family. Alborz found weaving in his Hull Prairie Art Class a great medium for traveling. He and his dad researched how to make a wooden loom and made one together! Now whether in the car or on an airplane, Alborz has his loom to create weavings, which make the long hours go faster. During the weaving unit, not only did Alborz want to learn the basics, but he was curious to learn several other weaving stitches. He always came to class The Jacket Way – READY!
We’re so proud of you, Alborz!
Megan Williams3rd Grade EducatorWoodland Elementary School
“Megan goes above and beyond to make sure her students feel welcome and valued in her classroom,” shared Brook Price, Principal, Woodland Elementary. “She is constantly modeling and reinforcing the positive character traits we wish to instill in children. Any student that has Mrs. Williams as a teacher is sure to grow both academically and social/emotionally!”
“Megan always puts the needs of her students at the forefront of everything she does,” shared Ashleigh Hamilton, 3rd Grade Educator, Woodland Elementary. “She is constantly analyzing her teaching and her students’ learning and will always share any resources and/or techniques with which she has had success. Megan supports her colleagues and is generous with her time to help problem solve. Megan has created many stress-busting kits for her students over the years, spending her own money and countless hours, in order to get the most out of her students. She cares about both the mental well-being of her students, as well as their academics.”
To suggest a program, student or employee for an upcoming Spotlight, please contact Rachel Zickar at [email protected].