Delco re:View Summer 2018 - 34

www.DelcoBar.org

The final two teams from the Competition advanced to
Regionals this year, where they competed for a spot at the
statewide championship in Harrisburg...Congratulations to
Merion Mercy Academy and Delaware County Christian School!
Congratulations further to the proud Coach Paul Clementi and
his Mock Trial Team of the Merion Mercy Academy, who won
Regionals and advanced to the State Tournament, finishing in 6th
place out of 300 in the State of Pennsylvania. Members of the
Mock Trial Team include: Nicole Archidiacono; Maddie Ltika;
Katrina McDermott; Anna Norton; Savanna Urban; and Gabriela
Marziano.

an all-time high. This means it is time for the three branches of
government to act in order to protect current and future students.
Like I said, the U.S. government is divided into three
branches, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the
Judicial Branch. Each of these branches have a different role
and different power. The Legislative Branch, which includes the
House of Representatives and Congress, has the power to create
laws. The Executive Branch, which includes the president, has
to power to enforce laws. The Judicial Branch, which includes
the Supreme Court, has the power to interpret laws. The system
of checks and balances keeps one branch from becoming more
powerful than the other branches by keeping the other branches
"in check."
With this system, the government must immediately address
the pressing dilemna of school shootings. A new law, for now
let's say putting armed forces in schools, must be created and
agreed upon by the Legislative Branch. Before this law is passed,
the Judicial Branch must decide whether or not the law conflicts
with the Constitution. If the law does not show conflict and is
passed, the President has the power to enforce this law and the
people must obey.

"Separation of Powers: Framework for
Freedom" ... Essay Contest
1st Place Essay Winner, High School ...
A.J. Tinari, Garnet Valley
Son of DCBA Member Kathleen A. Piperno, Esquire,
and Joseph Tinari
Describe how the checks and balances of "separation of
powers" in our government are working by focusing on an
example in current U.S. events.
We have to address one of the most critical issues facing
me and my fellow students: school shootings. In response to
the emotional aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School
shooting, there have been several ideas proposed in order to
protect students. Some of these ideas include putting armed
forces into schools, changing the layout of schools to ensure
escape routes, and of course the infamous idea of arming
teachers. School shootings are alarming and the threats are at

34 | Summer 2018

Now more than ever, the three branches must come together
in order to keep schools safe for all students. All three branches
must solve this problem that has affected kids for far too long.
The process will be lengthy as the branches must all come to a
mutual agreement before their law gets passed. There will be
vetoes from the executive branch and constitutional conflicts,
but I'm sure that when an agreement is reached it will be for the
good of my fellow students and me..
Although I understand that the system of checks and balances
will take time, the three branches of government need to know
that we are out of time and that the freedom of owning a gun may
be outweighed by school safety. In the end, all that matters is that
we are safe.

DELAWARE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
LAW DAY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Robert F. Kelly, Jr., Esq., Chairman; Eugene A. Bonner,
Esq.; Steven Lee Chanenson, Esq.; Patrick T. Daley, Esq.;
David S. Daniel, Esq.; Patricia H. Donnelly, Esq.; Andrew
J. Edelberg, Esq.; Karen E. Friel, Esq.; Joan D. Gallagher,
Esq.; Gerald Gebhart, Esq.; Craig B. Huffman, Esq.; Amanda
K. Konyk, Esq.; Enrique Latoison, Esq.; Jane Ann North,
Esq.; Kathleen A. O'Connor, Esq.; David E. Robbins, Esq.;
Kristen M. Rushing, Esq.; Aimee M. Taylor, Esq.; Ex Officio:
Vincent B. Mancini, Esq., President; William L. Baldwin, Esq.,
Executive Director; Tracy E. Price, Public Relations Director *
http://www.DelcoBar.org
Delco re:View Summer 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Delco re:View Summer 2018
