In partnership with the Center for Constitutional Values' Scholarship Fund and the YMCA of the Treasure Coast, the Martin County School District conducted the seventh annual “Constitution Academic Competition” this week. Teams of students from each District-operated high school debated the U.S. Supreme Court case “Miller v. Alabama” before presiding judges - the Honorable Kathleen Roberts (19th Judicial Circuit Court), the Honorable William Roby (19th Judicial Circuit Court) and the Honorable Alan O. Forst (4th District Court of Appeals). The case addressed the constitutionality of enacting life sentences without parole for juveniles convicted of capital crimes.
Although all of the students eloquently and effectively articulated their positions, the presiding judges were tasked with determining debate winners for each school. The winning teams earned scholarships valued at $250 each and will advance to the next round of interscholastic competition in April, where they will compete for additional scholarships.
Jensen Beach High School
- Courtney Jones and Shea Powers (advocated for Miller)*
- Emilia Glover and Rachelle Korte (advocated for Alabama)
Martin County High School
- Nira Goyal and Gianni Porcelli (advocated for Miller)
- Laurali Firestone and Jordan LoSardo (advocated for Alabama)*
South Fork High School
- Noyana Pierre-Louis and Sophie Suereth (advocated for Miller)*
- Dawson Hawkins and Matthew Mastrosimone (advocated for Alabama)
*denotes winning team that will advance to next round of competition in April.