Students argue complex issues in front of prominent legal professionals in mock constitutional trial

“To see high school students really digging in to very difficult and complex issues and handling them in a very civil and smart manner, it just gives you a lot of hope for the future.” – Hon. Gary Lynch, retired Missouri Court of Appeals judge. 

Seven schools gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center in Columbia on April 8 to compete at Show Me the Constitution, The Missouri Bar’s annual mock congressional trial competition. The students were given the unique opportunity to argue complex constitutional issues before a panel of judges comprised of leaders in the legal and educational fields.  Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, from Kansas City, won first place at this year's competition.

“I find it incredibly invigorating to see the students interact with our governmental history, our constitution, and prior supreme court cases and apply what they’ve learned from our history to modern events,” said Joe Goff, partner at Armstrong Teasdale in St. Louis. “It makes me feel better about where we are going as a society … spending time with the students in this program reassures me of our future and how secure it is in their hands.” 

This year students tackled free speech, affirmative action, and judicial review, applying these time-tested precedents to themselves and modern society. 

“Its really neat to see them interact with older documents in application to their own lives and that gives them ownership over what they’re talking about,” said Jennifer Wells, a teacher at Kickapoo High School in Springfield. “I think it plays a vital role in the passing down of government from generation to generation.” 

Preparing for a competition like this takes an immense amount of preparation and cooperation with teammates. The students must listen to their teammates and discuss these complex issues amongst themselves before they can argue their case. Lynch applauded the students for their cooperation with one another and their willingness to learn from one another after learning that one student changed their mind on the issue because they listened to their teammate who helped them understand a new perspective. 

“The most powerful thing you can do is to listen to another person.” Lynch told the team. “You will be the leaders of society and we need you to help the others understand.” 

View photos from this year’s Show Me The Constitution competition here.

The Missouri Bar citizenship education departments hosts numerous events throughout the year and provides resources that can be implemented in the classroom. View dozens of resources at MissouriLawyersHelp.org.