Hurffville Elementary School ELEMEnTS students who took first place in the New Jersey State Bar Foundation Law Fair competition include RJ Ford (back row, left to right), Michael Lyons, Timothy Loper, Bryce Bernardo, Francesca Braine, Bianca LaPlacido, Nora Kovolisky, Noah Ravior (front row), Cecelia DeVecchis, Reagan Ruoff and Robert Cahall.
The Washington Township School District’s fifth-grade ELEMEnTS students recently reached a significant milestone in their study of the justice system. The students – from Hurffville, Whitman and Birches elementary schools – have been named winners of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation Law Fair competition, for students in third through sixth grades.
The Hurffville team took first place, Whitman took second and Birches got an honorable mention.
The statewide competition challenges students to research legal issues and write original mock trial cases. Out of 86 entries submitted from across New Jersey, the township students’ work stood out for its clarity, legal reasoning and attention to detail.
Developing a winning case requires a high level of dedication. Students had to brainstorm a unique legal conflict, research the relevant laws, and fully develop the testimony and evidence for both the prosecution and the defendant.
“I am incredibly proud of these students,” District ELEMEnTS teacher and Law Fair advisor Arlene Gerber said. “It is not easy to come up with an idea for a case and fully develop it into a trial. Watching the students accomplish this has been a highlight of the school year.”
The fifth-grade winners have been invited to the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick in May to present their cases before a judge and jury.
Hurffville Elementary School ELEMEnTS students took first place in the New Jersey State Bar Foundation Law Fair competition. They include (left to right): Back row – RJ Ford, Michael Lyons, Timothy Loper, Bryce Bernardo, Francesca Braine, Bianca LaPlacido, Nora Kovolisky; Front row – Noah Ravior, Cecelia DeVecchis, Reagan Ruoff, Robert Cahall.
Whitman Elementary School students earned an honorable mention. They include (l to r): Back row – Alexa DeAngelo, Carter Onwuka, Francesca Nardello, Claire Wicklund, Annalina Nicoletti, Ryan Popelack, Christian Opalka; Front row – Emily Graves, Aliya Cao, Greyson Ridge.
Birches Elementary School students earned second place in the Law Fair competition. They include (l to r): Back row – Miles Kavalchick, Abdul Waheed, Dexter Skovronski, Emma Summerfield, Sofia Palestini, Justin Golingho;. Front row – John Tavella, Lucian Celano, Jack Higgins.
