SCHS: Educational Resources — Rosette Detail

The Supreme Court and My Hometown

Registration is now closed.

The Society’s civics program, “The Supreme Court and My Hometown,” launched earlier this month and we are accepting student applications. This initiative will engage St. Louis area high school students, over the course of the 2023 fall semester, in a thorough study of the process and substantive issues of a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in a unique and personalized way. The program will also encourage students to interact with their local government and community based on what they have learned in the study, as described below. A distinguishing feature of this program is the focus on Supreme Court cases that originated in their hometowns and local courts. In this inaugural session, St. Louis students will follow Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) from its inception at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and finally to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. It will explore both the Constitutional questions in the case as well as the procedural history of the cases through a local lens.

The purpose of this program is to teach students about the role of the Supreme Court and its independence in our system of government, as well as the work of the federal court system, through a review of cases that enable students to connect more easily with the Court – in effect, to bring the Court “down to earth.” The course of study will immerse the students in a review of the facts, trials, and appeals that led to the Supreme Court decisions.  At the end of the review sessions, students will complete a Capstone Project that further solidifies their learning and enhances their creative skills. For St. Louis, the final project will be an installation at the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse. This installation will be located near the Tinker v. Des Moines exhibit.

This is an extracurricular program outside of the classroom, after school.  We recognize that classroom time is limited and educators would be challenged to incorporate enhanced and intense study for their students. Legal mentors from the community will be recruited to assist students with their understanding of the judicial system and this particular case. This program also responds to students’ desire for more in-depth, experiential, and locally-related learning.  The program is locally sponsored and supported by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern District Court of Missouri, the St. Louis Judicial Learning Center, and the St. Louis chapter of the Federal Bar Association. If you know any St. Louis area high school students, please encourage them to apply!

St. Louis Application

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Rising High School Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors* with an interest in civics and the judicial branch.
  2. Enrolled in a St. Louis area high school.

This program is intended for students who are available to participate in the full schedule. If you have any prior commitments and would be unavailable on any of the published program dates, you will be asked to make up the work on your own. Students will only be allowed 2 absences before being excused from the program. Space is limited, only 20 students will be accepted.

* This means you will be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in the 2023-2024 school year.

Important: Please have your academic reference submitted to nmaffei@supremecourthistory.org by the application deadline: June 2, 2023 at 11:59 CST

Program Requirements: This program is a semester-long commitment. Every student is expected to be present for each session listed below. Students will be allowed up to two absences and will be expected to make up the work on their own. All in person sessions will take place at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse. Students are responsible for their own transportation, parking passes will be provided at a nearby parking structure.

Date:
Time:
Location:
July 25, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
September 5, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
September 12, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Zoom
September 26, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
October 3, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Zoom
October 17, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
October 24, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
November 7, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Zoom
November 14, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
November 28, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
December 5, 2023
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
February TBD 2024
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse

Benefits of Participation: Students who fully participate in the program will receive the following benefits:

  • Supreme Court Historical Society Scholar Certificate
  • Supreme Court Historical Society Gift Bag
  • Mentoring from and networking with St. Louis area Legal Professionals and Scholars
  • Recognition for work on the Community Exhibit in the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
  • Valuable legal research and skills experience
  • Behind the scenes look at a federal courthouse

Registration is now closed.

Applications are due at 11:59 PM CST on June 2, 2023. Please be sure your Academic Letter of Reference is also submitted to nmaffei@supremecourthistory.org by that time as well! Good Luck! Accepted applicants will be notified by June 16, 2023.

United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Judicial Learning Center, Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse
Federal Bar Association, St, Louis Chapter