Community volunteers provide support for first eighth-grade Teen Court Summit

On Friday, May 9 more than 200 eighth-grade students from North Putnam and South Putnam middle schools attended the inaugural Teen Court Summit sponsored by the Putnam County Youth Development Commission Teen Court Program.

PCYDC Director Linda Merkel was thrilled with the results of the day.

"We are humbled that so many community individuals shared their time and energy to participate," Merkel said. "Because of their efforts students may now be prepared to make better decisions for themselves and their friends in the future. Our agency is thankful to Mr. Terry Tippin, North Putnam Middle School principal, for his willingness to serve as the host school and to the PIE (Prevention, Intervention & Education) Coalition for the grant funding that certainly helped make this event possible."

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter was the opening guest speaker. Students were respectful and listened intently to his message of the importance of making wise choices and how inappropriate choices can change their lifes forever. His message identified with the day's theme, "Choices Determine Destiny."

Community participants were assigned to one of the eight different stations where students listened to and participated in exhibits on the long-term effects and dangerous outcomes of binge drinking, alcohol poisoning, prescription drugs and their inability to maneuver a vehicle when intoxicated. A Wheel of Misfortune and Spin the Bottle games engaged students in conversation and understanding of negative consequences of using drugs and alcohol.

Students were presented with information about the Indiana Lifeline Law, which gives amnesty from prosecution for underage drinking and many related drinking offenses to a person who calls to report a medical emergency or crime.

Merkel expressed her thanks to a number of community members, including Dr. Anthony Heavin, Putnam County Hospital; Paula Fry, Co-Alliance Avon; Roachdale Police Chief Mike Mahoy and Drug Dog Toby; Bill Merkel, teacher/coach, Craig Kinney, Operation Life director; Renee Marsteller, PC Juvenile Probation, Jerrod Baugh, ISP Excise Officer, Cory Robinson, ISP, Carol Emery and Dominique Gibson, PCYDC Board Members and to Sherlyn Mark for coordinating lunch for all in attendance.

The summit concluded with the inaugural mock trial competition. For this, Merkel extended her thanks to North Putnam High School Assistant Principal Jason Chew that the auditorium was available for our courtroom trial. Local attorneys Eddie Felling, Karen Temple and Darrell Felling participated as the judging panel for the competition.

The team from North Putnam was led by Captain Bennett Hazelgrove, Alexandra Land, Hannah Powell, Anna Sims, Haven Trent, Kayla Clodfelter, Kaitlin Mindiola, Trae Straziscar, Jonathon Goode and Bronwyn Spencer.

South Putnam was led by Captain Katie McHugh, Miriah Cherry, Cora Neudeck, Ashley Schroer, Jake Schroer, Aerial Higgins, Grady McHugh and Madison Egold.

The court case involved a young student athlete who made an inappropriate choice to take drugs, putting his academic and athletic career in jeopardy. The judges were challenged to select the best overall performance by one of the six attorneys and a best overall convincing performance by a witness.

The judges complimented the student teen court volunteers for their professionalism and ability to prepare and perform before more than 200 students and staff.

The day concluded with Madison Egold of South Putnam selected as the best overall witness and Bennett Hazelgrove selected as the best overall attorney. The North Putnam Team was also selected for the best overall compelling performance.

Students were asked to complete pre and post tests with hopes the data will indicate that students thought processes improved throughout the day.

Merkel also thanked a number of businesses and school programs that helped to provide lunch for this event: Anthony's Pizza, Area 30 Career Center Culinary Arts Program, Greencastle McDonald's and Greencastle Kroger.

"We thank you for the opportunity of working together as we continue to meet the needs of Putnam County children," Merkel said.