After a long break caused by COVID restrictions, Law Day has been reintroduced to Bellefonte High. On this day, seniors walk to the courthouse and do a variety of law-themed activities. On May 2, students were split into groups and visited four stations across town: talking with the FBI Agents, probation officers, a K-9 officer, and a Rockview inmate.
First, the Senior Class gathered in the main courtroom at the Centre County Courthouse for a talk with Judge Julia Rater and a mock court session. Students then broke into their groups run by two chaperones each: Mrs. Durney and Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. Fitzgerald and Mrs. Kyte, Mrs. Kreiger and Mr. Myers, and Mrs. Baughman and Mrs. Sandoval.
At the FBI station in the courthouse, students talked with two FBI agents, who shared their personal experiences and stories. Many were curious and asked questions about the agents and the FBI.
The probation officers talked about their programs and what they do. Students mainly focused on the example ankle monitors the officers brought. They passed around the devices, and explained house arrest, the sensors in the monitors, and more.
The K-9 officer, on the courthouse steps, demonstrated how the dog finds substances during a mini mock course. He first explained the history of Bellefonte’s newest K-9, before bringing the European-born dog out of the police car to go through the mock course.
The Rockview inmate was a popular station. Inside the YMCA, seniors gathered around the inmate, Anthony. He shared his experiences inside and outside of jail, and taught the groups lessons. Many students asked questions and listened intently.
Government teacher Mrs. Allyson Durney, the teacher in charge of organizing the day, believes that the students liked the judge’s mock trial and the inmate the most. She enjoyed doing the hands-on activities alongside the students.
“My favorite part of Law Day is getting out of the classroom and seeing aspects of our curriculum in real time. It’s great to speak with experts on different topics; I learn something new each year,” she said.
Math teacher Mrs. Allison Kyte, who was also a chaperone, also thinks that students liked the inmate the most.
“Students said their favorite part was meeting the convict from Rockview. It was enlightening to hear what life is like there and how he felt about being incarcerated and how it helped him to become a better person. They were very kind to him, and really wanted to hear about his experiences,” Mrs. Kyte said.
This year was the first Law Day since COVID shut down the activity. Mrs. Durney explains how the newly-returned activity benefits the students, and the chaperones as well.
“It was really nice to be able to revive this field trip after COVID. Students get a chance to learn things and interact with community members that they may not normally have the chance to. The chaperones like learning things, too,” Mrs. Durney said.
Law Day gave students a nice opportunity to experience fun activities leading into their final month of high school.
