Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration

Members, Berks County students, and local officials celebrated the 65th annual Law Day at the Berks Bar Law Day Luncheon on May 11 at the Reading Country Club in Exeter Township. This year’s theme was “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration.” Keynote Speaker Jim Gerlach, president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and former Congressman for PA’s 6th District, reflected on his bi-partisan efforts during his tenure in the United States House of Representatives as well as answered insightful questions from the audience regarding his predictions on the future workings of our government, on both the local and federal levels. In addition, the Bar Association recognized Fleetwood High School’s Mock Trial team for winning the 2023 Berks County Mock Trial Championship; this is an impressive eighth consecutive year Fleetwood took home the Berks title. President Gabby Raful also congratulated six Berks County students who placed in the 2023 Law Day Multimedia Competition Awards: Moses Mast, 5th grader from Oley Valley Elementary School; Juliana Reinard, 6th grader from La Salle Academy; Emma Rodriguez, 6th grader from La Salle Academy; Catherine Basehoar, 7th grader from La Salle Academy; Lillian Orient, 7th grader from La Salle Academy; and Emma Byers, 7th grader from Oley Valley Middle School.

Members, Berks County students, and local officials listen as keynote speaker Jim Gerlach, president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and former Congressman for PA’s 6th District, speaks on his encounters with civics, civility, and collaboration during the Fireside Chat portion of the luncheon, moderated by Julie Marburger, Chair of the Law Day Planning Committee, and Kelsey Frankowski, Vice-Chair of the Law Day Planning Committee.

President Gabby Raful presents Emma Byers, a 7th grader from Oley Valley Middle School, the 1st place award for the 7th and 8th grade category in the 2023 Law Day Multimedia Competition. Emma submitted a video which explores difficulties between teammates on her field hockey team, on and off the field, how their coach allowed them to air out their issues in a safe and controlled environment, and suggests the same approach can be used with legislators as they work through their disagreements.

Rose

President Gabby Raful (right) presents Moses Mast (left), a 5th grader from Oley Valley Middle School his award for third place in 5th and 6th grade category in the 2023 Law Day Multimedia Competition. Moses submitted a video in which he showed how legislators can use compromise to overcome worldly conflict, such as the war in Russia and Ukraine. When Moses and his brother had a disagreement over which movie to watch, they compromised that his brother would pick the movie one week and then Moses would the next, allowing everyone to eventually achieve what they want.

President Gabby Raful with Emma Rodriguez, a 6th grade from La Salle Academy, who placed 1st in the 5th and 6th grade category in the 2023 Law Day Multimedia Competition. Emma’s submission, which discusses her and her brother arguing over who to take their new dog for a walk, is a perfect example of why overcoming conflict is so important because a lot of the time, the people arguing are not the ones hurting from the issue, someone else is.