From Feb. 11-13, Caroline Fulks, Raeanne Beckner, Roger Matheny and Tristan Nolte attended the three-day Youth and Government Seminar in Charleston. Students who had an interest in politics and law careers were extended the opportunity and ultimately selected by BMS teacher Mrs. Keri Lambert.

 

“It’s an annual event,” Lambert said. “Mr. (Carl) Wunderlich, Mr. (Bill) Shaver and I offered the experience to interested eighth graders. Those who came to a meeting were given a time period to study for a test on government and we selected four students – two girls and two boys – based on the test scores.”

 

The experience provided an overview of how state government works as students had opportunity to sit in on the current legislative session. Also included was a mock trial and night court, with discussion of actual cases. Middle schools from throughout the state were represented. A banquet was held for participants. Delegates attended and some followed up with students about letters they had received prior to the session.

 

Lambert said the trip was interesting and educational to both students and adults.

 

“The night court on Thursday was extremely interesting as we were able to go into a magistrate’s courtroom and experience what it is like,” she said. “There was one case being heard. The person came in and had his bond set. The kids got to see the process and the bailiff talked to them about it and took them behind the scenes to see the holding cells and even see the graffiti that had been scraped into the walls with handcuffs.”

 

The students’ facial expressions indicated they were quite enlightened, Lambert said.

 

The mock trial was likewise interesting, she said.

 

“The students put it on themselves with the help of Jackson & Kelly,” Lambert said. “There were 10 kids in the entire program. It was a fictional case and the kids got to vote on whether he was guilty or not.”

 

The students also thoroughly enjoyed touring the state Capitol and meeting and taking photos with our delegates, Lambert said.

 

Julie Fulks said her daughter Caroline’s experience was one to remember and provided excellent opportunity to obtain an up-close look at how West Virginia government operates.