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Girard students gain first-hand experience with local government
By Sarah Lehr
GIRARD
As Girard High School student Matt Weiss pretended to stand trial on a theft charge, his buddy shouted “Free Weiss!” from the back of the courtroom.
A group of students participated in a mock trial Friday in recognition of civics day.
Close to 40 students spent the day shadowing city and school district officials. The students, many of whom serve on student council, also participated in mock school board and city council meetings.
For Weiss, a highlight of the day was being “arrested” from his classroom, handcuffed and transported in the back of a police cruiser.
“It was pretty realistic,” Weiss said.
Still, he said, he wished his classmate hadn’t decided to convict him for stealing adult diapers from Dollar General, adding that he felt there were flaws in the mock case.
Junior Kacie Spina, who served as the prosecutor, however, was unequivocal about Weiss’ guilt.
“I’ve always thought about being a prosecutor because I love interrogating them,” Spina said.
Senior Megan Payich, who acted as a witness during the trial, said civics day demonstrated how directly citizens can impact local government. She cited the ability to discuss the dress code before the board of education, as an example.
“It makes you realize that you really do have a voice,” she said. “We can go to them with issues, and they will pay attention.”
Mark Zuppo, treasurer for the city of Girard and a member of the Girard Board of Education, said the event teaches students how to enact change within the local system.
“What I’ve been preaching to them is: Get engaged,” Zuppo said. “Get involved in the local process. Demand more from your local officials. Get civility back into politics because what they’ve seen on the national level is horrendous.”