September 17 is Constitution Day, which commemorates the day in 1787 when 39 delegates signed the United States Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The day has special significance this year as the country continues to celebrate its 250th birthday. For the past 12 years, NCRA Immediate Past President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, of Shawnee, Kan., has joined her colleagues at the 10th Judicial District Court to celebrate the signing of our founding document.
“We have gone from having elementary students come to the courthouse to a full-blown Zoom event that included more than 50,000 third grade students from 47 different states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries around the world at Department of Defense schools,” said Isaacsen.
This year’s event included esteemed guests from each branch of the government: Legislative: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran; Executive (state level): Gov. Matt Meyer of Delaware; and Judicial: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
The third graders participated as jurors in the event’s mock trial, which involved a defendant who was charged with violating a law against running in school hallways between the hours of 7 a.m.-4 p.m. The defendant was played by the son of a 10th Judicial District Court judge.
“This was their opportunity to play a part of the judicial system that we see every day,” said Isaacsen. “I was honored to be the court reporter in our mock trial, and I hope that out of all these third graders at least a few of them say, ‘That looks cool! I want to be a court reporter one day,’” said Isaacsen.
She recommends fellow NCRA members participate in events like Constitution Day or any other event that involves highlighting the court reporting and captioning professions.
“I highly encourage you to step up and say: I will do it,” said Isaacsen. “It’s the best feeling to show everyone that we are a vital part of the judicial system.”
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