St Louis Park High School - Echowan Yearbook (St Louis Park, MN)

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J MOCK TRIAL TEAM MEMBERS: Front I Row:). Davis, P. Grochow, S. Larson, J. I Willis, M. Landis. Row 2: C. Willey, M. Anderson, C. Fisher, T. Coleman, M. Hughes, J. Lichterman, S. Christensen, D. Morine, K. Grover. J Mock Thai lawyers, Jon lichterman and Chris I Fisher confer on the legal aspects on this year s | Mock Thai case about the First Amendment. Learning new strategies The ability to speak, act and plan a strategy, along with a strong knowledge of the legal system were characteristic qualities of the members of the mock trials group. Students were challenged to prepare cases and present them in a realistic format. During mock trials, students took on the roles of attorneys and witnesses. The hypothetical cases differed from year to year, this time centering on the First Amendment, specifically the right to peaceful assembly. Students learned and assumed the roles of both sides (plaintiff and defendant) similar to a legal debate. The experiences of the trials left members with better communication skills. Some found it challenging and exciting to speak in front of people and present a case. John Lichterman, senior, said, I enjoy preparing a convincing argument and competing with others.” A consensus of students felt that mock trials was an activity that could be of value for their future. Dawn Morine, senior, thought that mock trials offered experience. It is very valuable for a career in law to learn how the judicial process works, she commented. A number of attorneys that students talked to stated that they wished they had an activity like mock trials in high school. The schedule of the mock trial members called for roughly 10 hours of preparation time for their cases. Never cut and dried, the cases offered students a lot to work with at their meets. Mock trials had three scheduled meets with the chance to go to state and national competitions. Both Park teams won in their first meet. In March, one team became the regional champions, winning the opportunity to advance to state competition. Students in mock trials learned a more rational, analytical way of thinking. Lichterman quipped, Don't misquote me, or I'll sue. Ilennifer Willis keeps track of the time used by the speakers as they are given limits to their time for speaking during the trial. 28 Mock Trials

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m As captain of the Boys' Varsity Soccer team, |ohn I Martin earns points which help to make him I eligible to apply for the NHS scholarship. m NATIONAl MONO SOCItTV: Front Row: I But ™ S Gmmwo. ( Rmim K $ tu k. $. l«xon. K I Coomtn. I Krlty. C SthoHmlv»ur . B Ha.5 buMti. I M. Muni. H Thonuv M Rotmbnft Row 1: S. fun. I C Fithof. 8 BrfUnrf. M. l non. I. Wood . C. ■ K PMfvwv K lillolxon. D Vhfo«1«f, 1 I Gtlvxv | Brrndt. O. Sh w, I. Ctnlihon. Row 1:1 I Bt-x'W s Trump. S Slonhouw. N Slonr. I Wild M I Si SCirtin. I lUtdm. M. Formo. C MritVjmp I Sumrwf. I. Mrdlund. ISlfoW I luAr. A Frilm. I. Dixon Row 4: | Ounvn, K D . S. Morrw. I Mwtin K Mu 4rr. D. ( nlov. I iHblpriTun. P GoMluxl.C Brown. 8 Bromlim. A. CuxUfcon. S.Cmxhow. R R« hlcr, Row S: I DuB. S. 8«kw . M. Andcrxon. A Roe, S Solb» £ I FVrmulh. D Andr wn. | (.iKlrr R Dixmxki. A FinkrKlitn. P Brrmjn, I WiHrrn, S Burxlnn. M Hughrx. ( NjuK I Ellen Hanson, captain of the Girls' Varsity Basketball team, shoots to score in basketball as well as in her other sports and activities. Achievement is 'honor' They had it all! With eighty-five members, the National Honor Society (NHS) made up almost one-fifth of the graduating class of 1987. NHS was characterized by a high grade point average, leadership and participation in athletic and other school-related activities. All students with a grade point average of nine or above on a thirteen point scale became candidates. To become a member from being a candidate took much more than just grades. NHS members were selected from the candidates after a careful study of all of the activities that each student participated in. Members were chosen on a point system. A certain number of points were received for grades and or each activity that they participated in. The eighty-five students with the most points became members of the National Honor Society. 1 Ellen Hanson and John Martin received the highest point totals, making them eligible to apply for the NHS scholarship. Hanson lettered in three sports, was a writer for the Echowan, and received highest honors (GPA of 11.5 or above). Hanson commented, “I feel honored that I was one of the two seniors that was eligible to apply for the NHS scholarship. Being a part of the sports and activities that I participated in throughout high school and working hard for my grades have given me a lot of satisfaction. Martin was the captain of the Boys' Soccer and Tennis teams and lettered in cheerleading, was the vice president of the student council, was chosen for Boys' State, and received high honors (GPA of 10.5-11.49). Martin said, By becoming part of NHS and working hard all through high school, I found out just how important leadership really is. Being part of NHS was a prestigious position to hold. With their activities, high grades, and achievements, they set a good example for underclassmen. They did have it all. Njtiorul Honor Society 27

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- E. Sundt, M. Parrington, C. Sellnow. L. Galvin, T. I Virum and C. Heitkamp actively participate in the | game called, The Human Knot. Committed to saying no Just Say No. This was a theme throughout the year for members of AFDA. Athletes for Drug Awareness (AFDA) was a group not only of athletes, but other student leaders committed to reducing drug use in their activities. The group talked about how they could prevent the use of mood altering chemicals both during the sports seasons and in the off seasons. Another important goal of AFDA was to provide the members of with better communication skills within their activity. AFDA helped me become a better leader because it showed me how to understand problems relating to drugs that might come up, stated synchronized swimming cocaptain Laurie Sumner, senior. According to Pam Fogel-Canning, advisor, in small groups the members talked about problems they had faced. Then the student leaders learned from each other how to handle different situations in which their teammates were using drugs. Along with becoming aware of drug abuse, AFDA members also learned how to communicate with other people. Swimming co-captain Wendy Schmitz, senior, commented, I think a major goal of this group was to develop better communication between captains, teammates, and coaches by understanding each other. AFDA has helped me understand different problems people have, said basketball co-captain Matt Parrington, senior, which means I am able to talk to them more easily about their problems. AFDA members had a busy schedule. They met at least twice a month, had morning breakfasts, and attended a sport education workshop. They also listened to speakers on nutrition and relaxation and spoke at the Junior High. Through these activities, the members were able to become more effective leaders. A Pam Fogel-Canning introduces Karen Oftendahl, a I guest from Hazelton Sports Educational Program who talks about promoting drug free activities. A AFDA: Front Row: J. L. Goldman. S. E. I Gannon, S. A. Gannon, T. Fischman, I Sumner, T. Manning, C. Heitkamp, R. Tillotson, K. Mueller, Row 2:). Roller, M. Skaug, D. Hop, L. Bannick, P. Grochow, N. Trump, S. Solberg. M. Hawkins, B. Bar-Coehn, M. Parrington, B. Yellen, Row 3: A. Fracassi, H. Thomas, M. Hunt. AFDA 29