On April 18 at 4 p.m., Philip Fogarty will be waiting to address a hushed crowd in the heritage courtrooms of the Vancouver Art Gallery. A panel of judges and lawyers will be waiting to hear the Elphinstone student speak in the Barry Sullivan Law Cup, a highly competitive, province-wide public-speaking contest that is a highlight of Law Week 2018 in Vancouver and sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch).
The Grade 12 student has been researching this year’s topic, “In light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada … is the criminal justice system the best forum to deal with offences committed by Aboriginal offenders?”
Fogarty will have five minutes to define, address and convince the panel that his presentation is one that they should consider for the $1,500 scholarship first place brings with it. However, participation alone is noteworthy: hours of research, writing and practice contribute to the construction of each participant’s piece.
Annually, panelists commend the speakers for their work on topics that can confound legal minds. Fogarty said he is ready, and feels that his Sunshine Coast upbringing has given him an informed perspective. His efforts are supported by principal John Brisebois, who said he is proud of his student’s representation of both Elphinstone and the Sunshine Coast School District.
– Submitted
