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Message PMCCIVICSwww.pmconline.orgPENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERN COURTS2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR ROUND-UPISSUE NO.01written by amelia mccloy
02We launched this program just last school year, and have since watched it growbefore our eyes thanks entirely to the incredible commitment of our volunteersand educators.To our volunteers: You are shaping the future lawyers, judges, and jurors ofAmerica. Your generosity, time, and willingness to show up month after monthhave brought civics education to life.To our teachers: You spend every day developing the hearts and minds of thestudents we see just once a month. Your trust in us to enter your classrooms andtake part in that work is deeply appreciated. We’re so incredibly grateful to beon this journey with you.FROM PENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERN COURTSwww.pmconline.org
03Issue No.01 | PMC SCHOOL CIVICS ROUND-UPOUR MILESTONE YEARThis year marked significant growth forPMC’s Civics Education Program:We tripled our volunteer base,onboarding more than 75 volunteerjudges and lawyersWe expanded our reach to 17 schoolsacross Pennsylvania, doubling our classesfrom 50 to 100+We hosted nearly 125 students forcourthouse field tripsWe nearly tripled our number of students,reaching 600+ in total These numbers represent real connectionsand growth happening across our state, andwe couldn’t be more proud.STATS ON STATSwww.pmconline.org
Volunteer support makes it possible for PMC to offer all programming free of charge to schools. But things like fieldtrips, travel, and growing our internship program depend on generous community donors like you.At PMC, we are committed to making the courts accessible, showing students and families how to navigate thesystems that shape their lives. With your help, we can continue growing, breaking down barriers, and ensuring everystudent gets the best possible experience.Donate today to strengthen civics education and empower the next generation. Thank you for believing in this work!Here’s what your donation can do:$15 provides lunch for one student on a courthouse trip, keeping them fueled and focused!$18 provides a transportation pass for a student to attend PMC’s summer program$50 supplies teaching materials for PMC volunteers, offering them the tools needed to deliver impactful lessons.$250 reimburses volunteer travel for the month, making it easier for passionate community members to give theirtime.$350 covers a bus for a courthouse field trip, making sure no student misses out on seeing justice in action.$1,000 funds a stipend for a student attending PMC’s summer program 04HELP BRING CIVICS TO LIFE Donate here!pmconline.org/donate
05CURRICULUM OVERVIEW What We TaughtThroughout the year,students participated ineight engaging anddiscussion-based civicsclasses.Core Classes (4):Three Branches ofGovernmentCourt BasicsJudicial SelectionJury BasicsSupplemental Classes(4):Juvenile Justice4th, 5th, and 6thAmendmentsFirst AmendmentArt, Expression orEvidence?: YoungThug TrialThese sessions invitedcuriosity and criticalthought, laying thegroundwork for informedcivic engagement.www.pmconline.org
WHAT MAKES AGOOD JUDGE?JUST ASK OURSTUDENTS.06Below you’ll see Shahirah Brown, Esq. and Alison Stohr,Esq., two lawyers who partnered with The U School thisyear. This photo was taken just after our students steppedinto the role of judge. Students debated what qualities,experiences, and values make a fair and qualified judge. After thoughtful discussion and speeches, the class casttheir votes. The conversation centered around fairness,life experience, and the ability to remain unbiased."MY TIME AT THE USCHOOL WAS BOTHINSPIRING ANDEMPOWERING. IT WASINCREDIBLE TO WITNESSYOUNG PEOPLEENGAGING DEEPLY WITHCIVIC ISSUES ANDDEMONSTRATING ASTRONG DESIRE TO USETHEIR VOICES TO DRIVEMEANINGFUL CHANGE INTHEIR COMMUNITIES." -SHAHIRAH BROWNwww.pmconline.org
07A true highlight of the year: our courthouse field trips!Above you’ll see our Mary McLeod Bethune class withFederal Judge Mia Perez and her team, who welcomedstudents into the courtroom for a memorable morning.Students were over the moon to see their classroompresenter in action, learning that, while real-life court maynot look exactly like it does on TV, it’s still pretty dangcool. FROMCLASSROOM TOCOURTROOMA QUOTE PROVIDEDBY MR. RONALD LEEOF BETHUNE WHICHHE FELTUNDERSCORED THEIMPORTANCE OFSUSTAINEDTEAMWORK WITHINOUR PARTNERSHIP:"COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING,KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS,AND WORKING TOGETHER ISSUCCESS." - HENRY FORD www.pmconline.org
08It is no small task to walk into a classroom of nonchalant teenagers or tochannel the energy of 12-year-olds, but these volunteers make it look easy.Thank you to Judge Kelly Eckel, Mr. Barry Davis, Esq., Judge Gary Glazer, Mr.Alan Promer, Esq., Judge Massiah-Jackson, and Mrs. Leigh Ann McGeever,Esq. for returning this year and continuing to set the tone for our entireprogram.Your ongoing support has not only deepened the experience for students, butalso set a strong example for new volunteers to follow.SEASONED AND STEADY:HONORING OURRETURNING VOLUNTEERSwww.pmconline.org
09We’re called Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and thanks toour AmeriCorps member’s alma mater, Central Mountain HighSchool, we were able to expand our reach beyond Philadelphiaand the collar counties to plant roots in the heart of the state!A special thank you to Clinton County Commissioner AngelaHarding, District Attorney Dave Strouse, and Judge Heidi Wrightfor spearheading our program at CMHS. This year, studentscovered our four core civics topics, with plans to hopefully adoptthe full eight-month curriculum next school year.In addition to the classroom sessions, students had the opportunity to sit down with Chief Judge Matthew Brann andJudge D. Brooks Smith to learn about their journeys to the benchand the importance of civic engagement.What an incredible group of students and an exciting start to ourexpansion!GOINGSTATEWIDE: OURCLINTON COUNTYKICK-OFFwww.pmconline.org
Hi everyone!I won’t pretend I’m a ghostwriter... it’s me, Amelia,the one who has relentlessly been in your inboxthese past few months. I’m an AmeriCorps VISTAserving as PMC’s Civics Education ProgramCoordinator.I’m originally from Lock Haven, PA, and I attendedThe Ohio State University (shoutout to JudgeGlazer!). I returned to Pennsylvania with onecondition: no more cornfields. That’s how I foundmy way to the Philadelphia Higher EducationNetwork for Neighborhood Development(PHENND), and eventually to PMC.In the past, I’ve researched voter behavior, internedin the U.S. Senate, and worked on campaigns, all ofwhich helped me see just how important civiceducation is.It’s been so lovely getting to know our students,volunteers, and teachers. Thank you for being partof this journey. I can’t wait to see where it goesnext!MEET THE VISTA10www.pmconline.org
11After connecting with Franklin TowneCharter at a civics education event, weknew we wanted to design something new,engaging, and impactful for their students.That’s when PMC went back to the drawingboard and partnered with the incredibleFirst Amendment attorney, Vernon Francis,to create a customized course focusedentirely on the First Amendment.The students began their journey with thefoundations, learning court basics, beforeexploring the complexities of the FirstAmendment. They explored hot-buttonissues like the TikTok ban and the Drake v.Kendrick beef, engaging directly with JudgeMassiah-Jackson and First Amendmentexpert Vernon Francis. FIRST AMENDMENTSPOTLIGHT AT FTCVernon Francis and Judge Massiah-Jackson with FTC studentsThe class then tackled the controversial topicof rap on trial, debating whether lyrics aloneshould be admissible in court. Judge JamesGiles joined the discussion to shed light onthe importance of sitting on a grand jury andhow real legal decisions are made.Finally, students capped off the year with ourYou Be the Justice activity, sliding on theirSupreme Court robes and ruling on landmarkFirst Amendment cases, putting everythingthey’d learned into action with Judge MeganSullivan.www.pmconline.org
12Before diving into their semester-long journeythrough the court system and constitutional rights,students at Franklin Towne Charter had the excitingopportunity to engage directly with a panel ofesteemed legal professionals.They came prepared with thoughtful questions,asking about everything from courtroom experiencesto the path each panelist took to get where they aretoday. The panel featured an impressive lineup: PASuperior Court Judge Megan Sullivan, First JudicialDistrict President Judge Nina Padilla Wright, JudgeEdward Wright, Jaysan Jayaprakash, Esq., Sophia Lee,Esq. and Deborah Gross, Esq.“GETTING TO LEARN DIRECTLYFROM CURRENT AND FORMERJUDGES AND LAWYERS THROUGHOUR PARTNERSHIP WITHPENNSYLVANIANS FOR MODERNCOURTS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.THEY BRING A WEALTH OFEXPERIENCE THAT MAKES THEJUSTICE SYSTEM FEEL REAL ANDRELEVANT TO US. IT’SESPECIALLY ENJOYABLE TO HEARHOW THEY DISCOVERED THEIRCAREERS — IT SHOWS US THERE’SNO SINGLE PATH. SOME OF THEJUDGES WE’VE MET GREW UP INNEIGHBORHOODS RIGHT IN OURBACKYARD HERE INPHILADELPHIA, WHICH MAKES ITEVEN MORE INSPIRING. FOR MANYOF US, THIS EXPERIENCE ISMOTIVATING US TO EXPLORECAREERS IN LAW AND CRIMINALJUSTICE.”— MOCK TRIAL STUDENT, FRANKLINTOWNE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOLwww.pmconline.org
13PMC had the privilege of bringingstudents from The Drew School in SanFrancisco, CA, to Philadelphia’s federalcourthouse as part of Envoys’ LearningBeyond Borders program. While exploringthe city’s carceral history, students metwith Third Circuit Court of Appeals JudgeRestrepo and Angela Sledge, ProbationOfficer, to learn firsthand how his STARReentry Program is setting a nationalprecedent for reentry and rehabilitation. COAST TO COAST CIVICS: OUR CALIFORNIAPARTNERSHIPwww.pmconline.org
14 My name is Christopher J. Leonard, and I am a teacher of social studies and religion at the DePaulCatholic School in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. I am writing in reference to a programthat our school has participated in for the past two years called Pennsylvanians for ModernCourts. This necessary program works with my seventh grade students once a month concerningissues associated with the Constitution of the United States and city, state, and federal courts. I am an enthusiastic supporter of this valuable learning tool. Let me share with you some personalexperiences. My students look forward to seeing them each month. When our presenters enterthe classroom, they are welcomed with a standing ovation. The presentations are always wellplanned out and well organized. The lessons are presented on a powerpoint with informativecomments from experts in the field. The lessons are various in approaches. We had a classroomcourt case reenactment, studied the amendments, had small group discussions on constitutionalissues, and analyzed how the court system works. These topics are so relevant and timely.In closing, I am a strong supporter of the programs provided by the Pennsylvanians for ModernCourts. The students are benefiting greatly from the information provided by this program'sinstructors. The topics covered in this program are subjects necessary for all citizens, and I thankthem for giving us the opportunity.Mr. Christopher J. Leonard TEACHERTESTIMONIAL“WHEN OURPRESENTERSENTER THECLASSROOM,THEY AREWELCOMEDWITH ASTANDINGOVATION.”DePaul students from 2023-2024 school year *www.pmconline.org
15PARKWAYCHALLENGEGroup 1Willow McDonald, Jayden Bryan,Zachary Downing, Mekhi Bey,Saahirah Muhammad-Smith,Sabria WhiteGroup 2Jamaiya Harper, Jeleah Andrews,Jamirah Ballard, Milan Harrison,Z’ynalove Johnson, Taylor Wimswww.pmconline.org“DURING MY EXPERIENCEWITH [PMC], I LEARNED ALOT. IT HELPED MEUNDERSTAND HOW THECOURT SYSTEM WORKS ANDHOW JUDGES PLAY ABIGGER ROLE IN OUR LIVESTHAN WHAT WE REALIZE.THIS EXPERIENCE OPENEDMY EYES TO THEIMPORTANCE OF FAIRNESS,JUSTICE AND THE IMPACT OFEVERY DECISION MADE IN ACOURTROOM” - PCCMCSTUDENT JAMIRAH BALLARDTwelve students from ParkwayCenter City Middle College took onthe Parkway Challenge inpartnership with PMC. Split into twoteams, for 3 weeks, the studentstackled a critical question: How canwe get more people, especiallyyoung voters, excited, informed, andmotivated to vote in judicialelections?Despite the courts shaping major lifeissues, judicial elections often flyunder the radar. Many voters don’tparticipate simply because they feeluninformed or disconnected fromthe process. These students workedto change that.
16Through research, interviews with Judges andC70, and court watching, both groups designedoriginal campaigns aimed at boosting civicengagement and turnout in judicial races. Frommedia content to community outreach, theirideas had the potential to influence not justParkway, but the broader Philadelphiacommunity. At the Parkway Challenge, ourstudents showcased incredible creativity andcivic engagement. Two groups developed fullcampaign portfolios to inspire young voters—including logos, websites, merch, social mediainfographics, and even a student-written andproduced music video. Group 1’s slogan was “TrustYour Judgement,” and Group 2’s was “Vote Now,Judge Later.”During presentations, Group 1 was selected for thefinal round and went on to take home bronze!We’re so proud of the way our students usedartistic expression to spark a democratic spiritwithin their peers. Thank you to Parkway for thisamazing opportunity!Special thanks to Tanisha Bezue with C70, President Judge Nina Wright-Padilla, Judge Timika Lane, JudgeGary Glazer, and Judge Cierra Thomas-Street for meeting with our Parkway students to discuss theircampaigns, and Judge Mia Perez and Judge Mark Kearny for hosting them in court!
17Behind the Bench: PMC’s Summer LegalProgram returns this July 8–31, 2025, buildingon the success of last year’s pilot program.Held in Center City, Philadelphia, the programimmerses rising high school juniors, seniors,and recent graduates in the legal systemthrough courtroom observations, guidedreflections, and intimate conversations withjudges and attorneys. Over four weeks,participants attend real hearings, write weeklyjudicial journals, and explore diverse legalcareers firsthand. The program runs Tuesdaythrough Thursday, totaling 15 hours per week,and concludes with a Certificate ofCompletion recognizing each student’sgrowth and commitment to civic learning.BEHIND THEBENCH:PMC’SSUMMERHIGHSCHOOLPROGRAM www.pmconline.org
18JOIN US NEXTYEAR!SchoolsEmail us at staff@pmconline.orgby end of August 2025 toconfirm your participation forthe school year VolunteersEmail us at staff@pmconline.orgthroughout the year to checkavailability for volunteer spots fromOctober 2025 -June 2026.www.pmconline.org
www.pmconline.orgTHANK YOUAGAIN FOR ANINCREDIBLEYEAR!