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Phil Balkus Maintains Law & Order with Mock Trial Club By George Jdey

Law was created by mankind, so that they could rise above barbarics and differentiate themselves from savage animals. While laws in every civilization shape to fit in with a society's morals and values, the fundamental principles of law remain so that order and justice stay intact.

Teens today, especially WHS students, struggle to name any Supreme Court Justices besides Kavanaugh, cannot name all the amendments in the bill of rights or even give the opening sentence for the U.S Constitution.

For Walpole High history teacher, Phillip Balkus, that is not acceptable. As teacher adviser to the school’s mock trial team, Balkus makes it his duty to make sure his students are prepared to enter the world of laws and order.

Balkus oversees the Mock Trial team's practices and listens to group's direct examination by Prosecution (Photo/ George Jdey)

“Most practices are just practice scrimmages against our own team,” senior Harry Katsaros said. “This ultimately puts us in a good position to succeed.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Balkus oversees mock trial practices for the club’s case competing with other schools in January. In the past, the team has done relatively well, especially last year when two out of the three trials were won, only losing the third by a few points.

One grouping from the Mock Trial team practices cross-examining by the prosecution (Senior Josh Bubly) on the defendant on the stand (Senior Darren Skinner). (Photo/ George Jdey)

“We’ve had success. We usually win two and lose one, so we haven’t gone off yet to the playoffs. But we have to go on against tough competition, so I am glad we have that winning record,” Balkus said.

The team’s case this year was based on a true event that occurred here in Massachusetts where a police officer fired his weapon and killed a young teen. In January and early February, Mock Trial won one trial against Medfield and lost the other two to Xaverian and Newton South.

The 2018-2019 Mock Trial Team poses in the Framingham District Court following their first trial versus Xaverian (Photo/Julie Corcoran)
“We’ve had success. We usually win two and lose one, so we haven’t gone off yet to the playoffs. But we have to go on against tough competition, so I am glad we have that winning record,” Balkus said.

While the mock trial club as a whole was established before Balkus’ time, it was when he and some students renewed it five years ago that the club really took shape. It was really the students that advocated for the clubs revival, but they needed a teacher who shared their same passion for law and order to sponsor the team. Of course, Balkus was the obvious choice. Being an AP U.S History and Street Law teacher of eighteen years who served around 6-7 years with the marines, Balkus was an obvious choice to be the adviser.

“I think mock trial is one of those things they don’t realize is so much work, but once they get in front of a judge and do really well there is a certain pride that goes along with it,” Balkus said.

Another grouping for the Mock Trial team rehearsal where the prosecution (Senior Avinash Makkena) practices their direct examination of the expert witness (Chris Merrikin). (Photo/ George Jdey)

Balkus accepted his role with the team because he enjoys U.S law and the history behind it, and sharing his passion with his pupils is gratifying.

“It’s rewarding for me because I watch all the trials and I see how bad they are at the beginning and then see how great they are at the end, so it’s nice,” Balkus said.

“It’s rewarding for me because I watch all the trials and I see how bad they are at the beginning and then see how great they are at the end, so it’s nice,” Balkus said.

While Balkus’ passion for teaching remained throughout his life, his enthusiasm for history is what cultivated after serving with the U.S Marine Corp Reserves and going back to school at UMASS. Balkus joined the Marines at eighteen to better discipline himself after “not doing so well” in his classes at university.

“Then I joined the Marine Corp,” Balkus said, “contemplating questions like ‘Why do people go to war?’, ‘What is justice?’, and that sort of stuff.”

In 1991, Balkus and his unit at the Marine Corp Reserves were called to war during the Gulf War for operation Desert Storm. Fortunately, the conflict died down before he and his unit were deployed. After coming home from his time with the Marines, Balkus returned to college and accomplished his goal of better disciplining himself.

“I got all A’s when I came back, so it was worthwhile,” Balkus said. “I wouldn’t recommend it to get yourself together, but if you need it.”

Balkus stands alongside most of the 2018-19 Mock Trial team at one of the team's Thursday meetings (Photo/ George Jdey).
“I got all A’s when I came back, so it was worthwhile,” Balkus said. “I wouldn’t recommend it to get yourself together, but if you need it.”

Balkus has served for his country once and now feels as if it is his duty to educate the youth today about the processes of law and order. Under his leadership, the students at Walpole High can better explain the fundamental laws of the country and now share that knowledge to others.

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