Fulton High School is one of six schools chosen this year to participate in the 2015 Constitution Project.
The project, in its third year, is the brainchild of Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Douglas Gaston and is intended to promote an understanding of how the legal justice system is founded in the Constitution.
The regional competition begins the week of October 19 when students are provided a mock crime scene to investigate. Then during the week of October 26 students will report about and eventually try the case through a mock court trial. To prepare them for the event, mentors from the community who are professionals in the areas of law enforcement, legal advocacy and journalism commit to teaching and advising the students.
"It's pretty intense," said Major Roger Rice with the Fulton Police Department who leads the team of students interested in crime scene investigation. "They are learning about blood and DNA samples, taking crime scene photos and developing a suspect. They'll also pick a lead detective who will eventually interview that suspect."
Rice said the students will then write up reports and hand them off to participants involved with the legal team. Press releases are handed off to those interested in journalism. To practice, mentors from the Police Department, who also include Detective Dall Hedges and Lieutenant Jason Barnes, set up a mock murder scene in the department's basement.
Fulton Sun Editor Rick Kennedy has served as mentor for the journalism participants, and he said his students are learning about press conferences and how to put together a story based on the journalistic principles one might find in a "Journalism 101" course.
"The project is really mentor and student driven," according to Jenna Brown, who along with Melody Hapner, sponsors the extra-curricular activity for FHS. "They're all really excited, and our mentors are great."
Hapner said that there have been several students interested in the project, which requires 12 participants to field a team, but because of conflicts with other after school activities, some of the students haven't been able to participate. "Most of the students involved have an interest in careers in legal justice or criminal investigation," she said.
The activities also involve studying those amendments of the Constitution that are the foundation of the program. The first amendment, which protects the freedom of speech; the fourth, which protects against illegal search and seizure; the fifth, which guards against self-incrimination; and the sixth, which guarantees the right to an attorney and a speedy trial are all the focus of study.
As the students take part in the competition, they may be stopped and asked if what they are doing is legal and to explain which amendment is the basis for their actions.
"Our freedom is protected by our Constitution," Gaston said in an email response. "And through the program, students don't just learn that, they live it. By experiencing our Constitution this way, they find greater understanding of, and love for, our country and learn some important skills along the way."
Other community mentors include Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wilson and Associate Circuit Judge Carol England who are leading the trial advocacy team.
"I have no doubt we have future lawyers, TV anchors, FBI agents and Presidents in this group," Gaston said in an email response, "The mentors in Fulton are truly helping shape the future of our nation."
Meanwhile, the mentors are enjoying their time with the students as well.
"It's exciting to share with students the idea that the Constitution isn't just an old, faded piece of paper," said Wilson, noting that he is borrowing his words from the Supreme Court justices who interpret and re-interpret the document even today. "The Constitution is a living breathing document that continues to impact our daily lives whether we realize it or not."