PAL Mock Trial 2011

PAL Youngsters Seek Justice

PAL student sworn in by Officer Holmes

 
After weeks of dedicated practice, 25 youngsters from Audenried PAL performed their first mock trial Wednesday night. Participants have been working with PAL Board Member and prominent Center City lawyer, Gino Benedetti, and some of his colleagues from Dilworth Paxson LLP. Students from Drexel University’s Earle Mack School of Law also helped the youngsters prepare.

PAL's future lawyers with Judge Jones

After reading the case, each PAL student selected a part to play in the trial: lawyer, witness, suspect, victim or juror. They drafted questions to interrogate the opposing side and prove suspect, “James Page,” guilty of robbery, burglary, theft and simple assault beyond reasonable doubt. After much deliberation, the jury was hung for all charges except simple assault, where he was found not guilty.

Gino Benedetti gives certificates to PAL participants

The trial was followed with a reception hosted by Dean Mary McGovern of the Earle Mack School of Law. The PAL youngsters created lasting relationships with the lawyers and Drexel students. There are promising law careers in these youngsters’ futures!

Thanks to all participants, volunteers, Drexel University and Judge Darnell Jones, who presided over the trial!

PAL Youth Honored

PAL Youngster is Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Gatorade, in collaboration with ESPN RISE recently named its 2010-2011 Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Amile Jefferson, a 6’8” junior at Friends’ Central School and a longtime PAL youngster received the award, which has been given to NBA greats Dwight Howard, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh in the past.

Jefferson has been a member of Officer Cedric Jones’ PAL center for years. Jefferson participates in all that PAL has to offer, and even helps Officer Jones mentor the younger members in his PAL center. Aside from being an accomplished Basketball Player, Jefferson also recognizes the importance of education, and has maintained an excellent average in his studies.

In addition to the Gatorade Award, Jefferson was also recognized for his accomplishments in school and at PAL, and was selected to participate in Lockheed Martin PAL Day at City Hall where he shadowed Mayor Nutter’s Chief of Staff, Clay Armbrister.

If you’d like to learn more about PAL and how you can help the City of Philadelphia’s youth, contact PAL today at 215-291-9000 or go to www.phillypal.com.

Lockheed Martin PAL Day at City Hall

Future Leaders Run City of Philadelphia for a Day

PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 28, 2011 -Twenty-six deserving PAL students who have achieved success both in school and in their PAL centers were rewarded for their hard work, dedication and efforts. Lockheed Martin PAL Day at City Hall, a 40-year tradition in Philadelphia, took place on February 28, 2011. Joey Bozzelli, a Gibbons PAL youngster who was selected to be PAL Mayor for the day, has been involved with PAL since he was a child and has participated in all that PAL has to offer. The 26 PAL students were then transported to City Hall where they met with their Government Representatives and were appointed their positions for the day Mayor Nutter spoke to the youth, congratulated them on their achievements and let them know they had their work cut out for them. Nutter’s speech was followed by Bozzelli’s speech, which focused on the wonderful opportunities that PAL provides for youth and echoed Nutter’s sentiments of congratulations. Bozzelli also encouraged all youth to get involved with PAL, mentioning that he doesn’t know what he would have done without PAL.

Following Bozzelli’s speech, the students took the Oath of Office and were called up individually with their representative to be recognized for their accomplishments. Nutter spoke personally with each of the “new government officials” and presented them with a glass plaque commemorating the occasion. Jokingly, Nutter asked the new head of the Philadelphia Parking authority to “help him out with a few old tickets.”

After a meet-and-greet lunch, students were off to work for the day, tackling real issues and running the City Government. PAL Day at City Hall was a huge success, and PAL’s youth constituency deserve to be commended for a job well done. Thanks to Lockheed Martin Corporation for sponsoring this wonderful event, the City of Philadelphia for its partnership with PAL and Charming Shoppes, Inc. and Tate’s Menswear for providing the young women and men with business attire for the day.