The Journal - Students Get Schooled in Ways of the Courts

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The Journal - Students Get Schooled in Ways of the Courts

Supreme Court candidate Menis Ketchum visits students at the Country Day School

Students at the Country Day School in Kearneysville got a special lesson in leadership Thursday morning with a visit from Menis Ketchum, a candidate for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

Students in grades four through eight recently campaigned and elected representatives for student senate, a group of students who represent the student body to the teachers and administration.

Ketchum gave the students some insight into the working of another governmental body, the West Virginia Court of Appeals. He discussed how the judicial system works and answered questions from the students about the Supreme Court and how it functions as well as about his background and how he got started in public service.

Following the group session, Ketchum met with student senate members and talked to them about public service and the role of being leaders.

"Public service are duties you accept above your regular occupation," Ketchum said.

Ketchum encouraged students to be honest and above board as leaders in their newly elected roles.

Drake Marshall, a 10-year-old fifth-grade student, said he learned about different parts of the court system in the session.

Jessy Shakesprere, an 11-year-old seventh-grader, said she learned about the different courts.

"I most enjoyed learning about the five different judges and what their role is," Shakesprere said.

Ketchum said that education is the most important thing with regard to moving the state forward.

"It is important that school children are exposed to the workings of the different branches of government," Ketchum said.

Heather Marshall, director of development, said that the program got students more engaged.

"I'm very excited by the response of the children; I wasn't sure about the impact (it would have on them) but with the timing of the elections, it made a bigger impact on them," Marshall said.

Marshall said that the program encouraged the students to get more involved.

"You can't just be satisfied with sitting on the sidelines, but get involved in community matters; for them, their community is their school," Marshall said. "It's the whole 'for of those to whom much is given, much is required' concept; kids work hard at school and they can give back and continue that chain."

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