Johnston Middle School Students Are "Boss For A Day"

Three Johnston eighth-graders recently learned the ins and outs of the Polk County Courthouse.

Becca McDowell, Lauren McDowell and Christian Johnson, students at Johnston Middle School, participated in this year's "Boss For A Day" event Sept. 21, sponsored by the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Probation Office.

"It was the first year we were able to go, it's usually just high school," Johnson said. "I was excited, I didn't know what it was going to be like but it was cool."

The students, along with Extended Learning Program teacher Kathy Paul, headed to the federal courthouse in Des Moines for a chance to interact with judges, lawyers, the clerk of court, Des Moines police, the Iowa State Patrol and parole officers. The program gives high school and college students a peek at what a career in different areas of law would be like.

"In the beginning, we had an introduction with speakers like judges, then we split up into groups and ours was clerk of court," Lauren said. "We learned about traffic tickets and how reports are done."

The students had a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the offices.

"They have two buildings that work together," Christian said. "One preserves stuff and the other is more paperwork."

The students also learned how evidence is processed and stored to meet legal requirements.

"They have a whole big closet of evidence they use for court," Becca said.

The students were chosen to take part in "Boss for a Day" after Paul asked her class to write essays if they wanted to attend. She was allowed to take four students; Christian, Becca and Lauren were the only ones in her class to apply.

"It's definitely a good program," Christian said. "You learn the technicalities of the system, besides a lawyer or judge."

Paul was impressed with the structure of the day.

"They had many opportunities to see first-hand how the legal system works," she said. "I hope my students were able to explore potential careers and to gain a further appreciation for the law. I know they were very interested in seeing a courtroom in action and it was fun to compare notes with them.

All three students said they would be interested in attending "Boss For A Day" again.

"I hope more Johnston students, both in middle and high school will be able to attend in the future," Paul said.