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09/12/2017

Ohio Center for Law-Related Education Announces Award Recipients

 

COLUMBUS (Sept. 15, 2017) – The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) will present its two highest honors—the Founders’ Award and the Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence—at the 27th annual Law & Citizenship Conference on Monday, Sept. 18 in Columbus.  

Richard (Dick) Smith is the recipient of the 2017 Founders’ Award. Smith is a retired educator who taught at Marysville High School (Union County) for 39 years.  Smith has been involved with OCLRE from its inception and is among the handful of teachers whose students participated in the inaugural Ohio Mock Trial competition in 1983. Following his retirement, Smith continued to assist the Marysville mock trial teams for many years and has volunteered for OCLRE in numerous ways, including having served on its Law & Citizenship Conference planning committee. Smith currently contributes his passion for education and civic responsibility through his service to the Marysville Board of Education and the Union County Courts. 

“Dick has shared his time, perspective, and expertise with OCLRE in many valuable ways – and always in the spirit of service to others, especially students and fellow teachers,” said Kate Strickland, OCLRE executive director.  

Scott Robe, an attorney based in Athens, Ohio, will receive the 2017 Eiler Award. Robe has served as advisor to the Athens-based Olivia Davidson Washington mock trial club for more than a decade. A model of civility and patience, Robe was nominated for the award by current and former students because he inspires them to achieve their individual “best,” and instills in them an appreciation and respect for the law, as well as for their fellow mock trial competitors. Former student Christian Thomas wrote in his nomination, “[Robe] frequently emphasized that we practice and refine our cases with an end goal of excellence, not necessarily victory.”  

 OCLRE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose goal is to improve society by developing citizens empowered with an understanding of our democratic system.  OCLRE is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio Attorney General, Ohio State Bar Association and American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation.  OCLRE programs are funded in part by a grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation. For more information, visit www.oclre.org.   

The Eiler Award is named for Lori U. Eiler, a retired teacher, Shaw High School, East Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Eiler taught at Shaw High School for 35 years and was an advisor to its mock trial teams.  

Named in honor of OCLRE’s founding members, the Founders’ Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the ideals and growth of civics and law-related education. Recipients develop or support programs that engage students in learning about democracy and the importance of civic responsibility.  

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