Outstanding People

Our heartfelt thanks to all the judges for this year's competition.  We appreciate their generous commitment of time, talent and enthusiasm for this program.
 

Joan Beaver, Stillwater teacher 
John Branstom, retired teacher 
Dr. Joanne Buggey, UMN College of Education
Edward Cleary, Board of Professional Responsibility 
Jeanne Cooney, U.S. Attorney's Office
Darrel Erickson, Plymouth Middle School 
David Garfield, Wells Fargo Bank 
Gail Huschle, St. Croix Catholic School 
Emily John, UMN Law Student 
Don Johnson, Hennepin County Attorney's Office 
Victoria Newcome Johnson, Consultant 
Deb Noll, University of Minnesota Foundation
David Pace, UMN Extension Service 
Mary Robison, teacher, Cretin-Derham H igh School 
Bruce Robb, retired teacher 
Mitchell Rothman, Office of the Ramsey County Attorney 
Charles Skemp, MN Department of Children, Families and Learning
Rick Theisen, retired teacher, past president of NCSS

Justice Joan Ericksen Lancaster (left) being introduced by Jennifer Bloom, Director of the MN Center for Community Legal Education.  Justice Lancaster was the guest speaker at this year's Showcase.  Justice Lancaster has been nominated by President Bush for a federal judgeship.  It was a great opportunity for the students to ask questions about the nomination and her current role on the MN Supreme Court.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kari Coppinger, Center for Civic Education, attended this year's Showcase as an observer.  Or at least that's what she thought!  She quickly jumped in and assisted with details for the Showcase like setting up rooms, putting up signs, etc.  Kari also awarded the First Place Plaque to the Duluth Central team.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We also want to thank the students from Stillwater High School who served as timers for this year's competition.  Without them our judges would have a difficult task of staying on time because they get into such great discussions with the students!

Lissa Gotz, Court Information Office, Sandy Wendt, Secretary, Judge Peterson and Linda Vandusartz, Judicial Center Receptionist were instrumental in the success of the program.  These women reserve the rooms, notify the employees in the building of the more then 150 people who will be arriving for the Showcase and provide assistance on the day of the Showcase.  Without them, ...well I just don't know what would happen!

And my personal thanks to Kitty Atkins, Hamline University School of Law Dispute Resolution Institute.