Fulton High School students just completed the regional competition for the Constitution Project. The competition brought together 16 teams to learn the basics of crime scene investigation, journalism and courtroom procedures and how those practices are founded in the US Constitution.
Last week, students participating in the crime scene investigation portion of the competition traveled to St. Louis, and they were faced with a mock incident to process.
According to Melody Hapner, who along with Jenna Brown sponsors the extra-curricular activity, students were presented with a single-car accident where the vehicle involved struck a pole. There was one death at the scene and two witnesses with different stories of the collision.
Students investigated the scene, gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses, and then make an arrest. A mock press conference was held as well, and students participating on the journalism team were scored on gaining information and writing their stories.
In Columbia Wednesday, the students who have been studying courtroom procedure took on roles of defense attorneys and faced off against students from Father Tolton Catholic High School, who assumed the roles of prosecuting attorneys pushing for a vehicular manslaughter conviction.
"The students were very excited," Hapner said. "They are all hoping to go on to the state competition."
The Constitution Project focuses on the First Amendment, which protects the freedom of speech; the Fourth Amendment, which protects against illegal search and seizure; the Fifth Amendment, which guards against self-incrimination; and the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to an attorney and a speedy trial.
Students, sponsors and mentors are all awaiting final scores from the competition, which will be forthcoming after the final teams participate.