Government Class Trip to the Courthouse



CCS Juniors with Judge Hicks



On Tuesday, May 8^th, the Government class took a trip to the Muskegon Courthouse. Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Beals were our wonderful chaperones. We left school around lunchtime, and went to the Grand Traverse Pie Company for a quick bite to eat before their big adventure.

After we had their fill of yummy food and pie, we headed over to the courthouse. As we walked in and took our seats we were encouraged to turn off our phones or the bailiff would take them if they rang! We all quickly obeyed. J

Then, the judge came in and we all rose and then took our seats again. It was a slow start as the sentencing began. There were people in handcuffs at the front of the courtroom and then there were people who just came from the audience to get there sentencing; some were taken away to jail, some left free with just a fine. We all were doing our best to keep up with the entire courtroom lingo.

The judge mentioned us while he was talking to one of the criminals. He said, “So, for all these kids from Calvary Christian School, if they were pulled over for something, they should not run away from the police because that would only make things worse, right?” and the criminal said, “Right, Sir.”

Then, Judge Hicks called a special recess just so he could take us aside and talk to us. He took us in the Jury room and answered all our questions (and Mrs. Meyer’s too). He told us about how long he has served as a judge and also how this is an important year because it’s an election year. He even took his picture with us! We learned a lot while we were in the courtroom. It was such an interesting experience!

- Natalie Kapanka, Junior