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West Plains High School Among 12 Schools Chosen for 2014 Constitution Project
The Supreme Court ofMissouri’s Committee on Civic Education has announced the West Plains High Schoolis among 12 schools chosen to compete in the annual Constitution Project, whichwill hold regional competitions during the fall 2014 semester and willculminate with championship rounds in Jefferson City later in the fall.
This year’scompetition will feature teams from: in the eastern region, Cardinal-RitterCollege Preparatory High School in St. Louis, Clayton High School in Clayton,Park Hills Central High School in Park Hills and Washington High School inWashington; in the central region, Dixon High School in Dixon, Father ToltonRegional Catholic High School in Columbia, Helias High School in Jefferson Cityand St. James High School in St. James, and, in the southern region, HoustonHigh School in Houston, Logan-Rogersville High School in Rogersville, Nixa HighSchool in Nixa and West Plains High School in West Plains.
The ConstitutionProject gives students a mock crime scene to investigate, report about andeventually try in a mock trial, all under the mentorship of local professionalsin the fields of crime scene investigation, journalism and trial advocacy. Theproject started three years ago at Houston (Missouri) High School by TexasCounty Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston, the competition expanded last yearto include more than 70 students from eight schools in four regionsparticipating in The Constitution Project’s inaugural year as a statewidecompetition.
This year’scompetitors were chosen based on school district excellence, capability inteaching the three disciplines of the competition and student aptitude. Inaddition, to be chosen, each community was required to pledge commitments fromthe school, local judges, law enforcement, media and attorneys.
“It was difficult tonarrow down the applications and select the final competitors from the talentedgroup of high schools that applied,” Judge Gaston said. “But this competitionrequires collaboration by the entire community, and the schools selected forthis year’s competition have the proven support, partnerships and communityexcellence necessary to win.”
Winners will be namedat the team and individual level for each discipline. Individual award winnerswill receive $1,000 scholarships from sponsoring organizations. Statewidecosponsors of the project include the Missouri State Highway Patrol, MissouriSheriff’s Association, Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Missouri PressAssociation, Missouri Broadcasters Association and The Missouri Bar.
To learn more aboutThe Constitution Project, please visit www.courts.mo.gov/constitutionproject.