24 APRIL 2024 By Kylie de Best Every year, Boy Scout Troops across America participate in a service project called Scouting for Food. The goal of the event is to help fight hunger after the busy holiday season while encouraging community service among the troops. Scouting for Food originated in St. Louis in 1985 and spread nationwide in 1988, officially making its way to the Boy Scouts of America. This year, the Grand Canyon Council Boy Scout Troops – including Arcadia Troops 6 and 201 – collected over 30,000 pounds of canned goods. A huge team effort was made, and each scout held various responsibilities. Scouts were in charge of distributing bags to friends and neighbors, asking for canned and nonperishable food donations. They put door hangers on front doors to inform neighbors of the project. On February 3, Scouts returned to each house to pick up the cans and door hangers. From there, the food was delivered to various food banks in the Valley, including Feed Our Children at the Feeding Students USA pantry on 40th Street in Arcadia. Scouts in Troops 6 and 201 have participated in this event since they were Cub Scouts. Troop 201 partnered with Pack 100 this year so they could assist in distributing door hangers and picking up cans. The Grand Canyon Council is known for holding impressive numbers during the Scouting for Food service project. Since 2021, they have collected over 150,000 pounds of cans and accumulated 8,000 service hours with 2,400 youth and 1,500 adults. The Boy Scouts in both troops said they felt amazing about their impact on so many lives. “Boy Scouts teaches you how to be a good member of the community and to help others in need,” Troop 6 member Kenyon Smith said. Troop 201 member Joshua feels the same: “This event brings the troops together to do something good for the neighborhood – and it’s a lot of fun.” Brad Beebe, a Troop 6 leader, explained that one of the core pillars of Boy Scouts is service to the community. “Part of the Oath that our Scouts pledge weekly is to help other people at all times. This initiative is a great way for Scouts to fulfill this pledge, and they enjoyed a competition to see who would collect the most pounds of food,” Beebe said. “The Boy Scouts love what they do, and their hard work is greatly appreciated. Being a direct hand in helping the community we serve is very rewarding. With a few thousand steps and heavy bags of food, we are making lives better through our service work,” Organizer Corinne Winters said. “The facility where we donate our collected items had overflowing shelves once things were sorted and stocked.” Arcadia Boy Scouts rally the Troops for annual donation event Cooper and Parker Beebe of Troop 6. PHOTO: BRAD BEEBE !"#$%&%'()%#$*+,&-.%,#(/,% &-.%$(&01%2&3,%*'%'**.4% )(%&5(%6&7"-3%8"0(,%2(##(5% #$5*+3$%*+5%,(50"9(%)*57: By Rachael Bouley Veritas Prep’s Mock Trial team has continued its successful run this season, taking first place in regionals and scoring a spot at the state championships. The program started in fall 2015, with the first regionals competition happening a year later. The teams won at regionals in 2018 and ‘19 and four times in a row from 2021- 2024. They brought home the Arizona State Championship in 2019, 2021, and 2022 and placed third at nationals two years ago. Attorney Bill Klain coaches a team comprised of 26 students divided into three squads. They practice three nights a week, adding more sessions leading up to competitions. “Mock Trial is designed to help students develop their public speaking abilities, critical thinking skills, and understanding of the legal system by having them prepare to present both sides of a case,” Klain said. Organizers prepare the assigned case for each competition, including witness statements and exhibits, and students learn firsthand about plaintiff and defense in civil cases and prosecution and defense in criminal cases. For each trial, three student attorneys, three student witnesses, and a timekeeper participate per side. Student attorneys present opening statements, direct examinations of their witnesses, cross-examine the other team’s witnesses, and present closing arguments. The student witnesses, in turn, are examined and cross-examined during the trial. With a mix of veteran and novel participants, Mock Trial put on an impressive performance, which wrapped up with the State Tournament on March 23 at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse. “Apart from the team’s success at regionals, they also took second and third place and won seven individual awards at the Yale University Bulldog Invitational Tournament in the fall,” Klain said. At Regionals, Students Aubrey Klain, Mila Mestaz, Salma Ahmed and Brooke Bice were named All-Region for Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witness. As team captain, Aubrey said she was pleased to finish her four-year Mock Trial career on a high, receiving her second award at regionals. “Both times, I have felt so glad that the passion and long hours my team and I put into building our case was ultimately a success,” Aubrey said. “Seeing other incredible competitors named makes me feel grateful to be included in such a talented group.” The senior hopes to attend college and law school to pursue a career in the legal field, inspired by lessons learned during trial competitions. “My favorite part of Mock Trial is adding new pieces to arguments on the spot during the trial,” Aubrey said. “It teaches the critical thinking skills necessary to think on your feet.” Fellow senior Brooke Bice learned to be a better speaker during her three years in the program, and looks forward to applying her new skills to medical school. “This is my first time receiving a Mock Trial award. I was honored to see my hard work recognized,” Brooke said. “I feel like I am so much better at talking in an organized way.” Experienced leaders like Aubrey and Brooke made a major difference to newcomers like Mila, who was elated to earn All-Region honors as a freshman in her first year of Mock Trial. “When I heard my name announced, I felt like this is where I belong, with these people who have such passion for the sport,” Mila explained. “Upperclassmen who I never would’ve known welcomed me and taught me so much and became my friends along the way. I aim to carry on the team’s reputation and bring the new generation to nationals.” All-Region winner Salma Ahmed is a junior with three years of trial experience, including being squad captain. “I put so much effort into my performance, and for that effort to be rewarded was an absolute honor,” Salma said. “I’m eager to continue striving for excellence and working with amazing teammates. I want to attend college and medical school. I hope to use the skills I learned in Mock Trial to evaluate ethical principles in health care.” Veritas Mock Trial wins first at regionals Salma Ahmed and Brooke Bice received All-Region honors. PHOTO COURTESY OF VERITAS PREP

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