CLEARFIELD COUNTY – GantDaily takes a look at one of the many unique organizations in Clearfield County, the Legal Eagles program.
the History
Started in late fall of 2001, Legal Eagles was a cooperative effort between Mark Falvo of the “ Young Lawyers Division of the Clearfield County Bar Association” and Clearfield County Crime Stoppers.
Initially offered to Clearfield Area Senior High School underclassmen and Curwensville Elementary School fifth graders, the goal was to deliver a civic education curriculum including responsibility to children across Clearfield county.
When asked how the idea for Legal Eagles originated Falvo recalls how he decided to go into law by accident. On a path for a degree in Education, he took a test that revealed a strength in history. A career counselor suggested perhaps he should go into law. So he did without reservation. Two years into his college career Falvo found himself on a career track that was going in the wrong direction yet with his current college credits his options were limited to a career in history or political science. He felt pigeon holed.
Wanting to keep other students from similar experiences, Falvo saw the need for a career education program that was interesting.
“This program is what I didn’t get to do. It exposes kids to careers related and not related to the legal system other than being a lawyer,” said Falvo.
Of course this would include civic careers but would not be limited to such.
This is where Falvo stops taking credit.
“I might be the man behind the curtain but this program runs because of many people,” said Falvo
Some of the People
Falvo first credits the year one participants at Curwensville Elementary. Principal Susan Wingard and the fifth grade teachers including: Donald Shaffer, Tom Wassil, Robin Butler and Cheryl Sutika embraced the program turning it into something special for students. The Legal Eagles became a successful club-like organization for 5th graders.
It seems that everyone Falvo could access in his professional network were willing to jump in and contribute to the growing program. Presenters from local law enforcement, local judges and justices and civic organizations were joined by representatives from the United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, United States Secret Service and the United States Marshals to provide programs as often as weekly for students in participating schools.
Equally important to the program’s success are Deputy Sheriff Jerry Nevling and Trooper Bruce Morris. Representing law enforcement these men go out of their way to bring educational and informative programs to Legal Eagle participants across the county. Falvo calls them each “his right hand man” in the project.
When asked what he thought made Legal Eagles the success it is today Nevling said, “I think it’s the excitement of the programs. Where else can kids hear from and ask questions of an astronaut or a secret service agent?”
When visiting a school Nevling’s goal is to build self esteem while he teaches the students the relationship between doing well in school, being a great citizen and being anything you want to be.
Morris, community service officer with the state police in Ridgway works in crime prevention and volunteers time to the Legal Eagles program.
“Legal Eagles puts a human face on who these people are.”, explains Morris.
Our community benefits directly from Legal Eagles when it humanizes the professionals that kids typically only see on television.
Morris says, “This program goes a long way to dispel the ‘us against them mentality’ children often learn.”
“If it (Legal Eagles) touches one or two and steers them from a bad decision later we’ve done more than we could have intended to do,” said Morris.
the Program
In 2007 Legal Eagle students from St. Francis and Curwensville visited the Clearfield County Jail and Clearfield County Courthouse. At the courthouse the Legal Eagles were treated to historical presentations and a mock trial from Judge Paul E. Cherry and President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.
In addition to career education participants learn civic responsibility and cultural diversity from positive role-models and mentors in promising fields that need them, while learning the consequences of unlawful actions on their adult lives.
Community Impact
Legal Eagles will have a positive impact on Clearfield County as it grows responsible citizens from a young age. This idea has been reflected in financial funding. Sam Brezler of the PA State Corrections Officers Association says that with programs like this perhaps we can stop building prisons in Pennsylvania and begin building schools. Brezler’s organization along with many local businesses and professionals financially fund Legal Eagles each year.
When asked why he dedicates full time hours to a volunteer project, Falvo went on to explain about “grabbing things that put a spark in his head” over his years. He recounted lessons learned from football coaches, parents, friends and more that he didn’t even realize were important at the time. He sees Legal Eagles as a way to share that knowledge with kids.
“I”ve heard so many reasons about why I’ve done this, but the real reason is my mom was a nurse and a teacher, my dad was a general manager at a local radio station, but, explained that this is where we teach, and my brother is a teacher. I was a late-bloomer who didn’t take advantage of things, and if I can plant a seed and it grows, well, that’s a success and the reason I do this,” said Falvo
Beginning its seventh year of operation in 2008 Legal Eagles has experienced a rapid growth. Now present in seven of the county’s eight school districts, Legal Eagle enrollment this year will top 1500 students. For the seventh consecutive year Legal Eagles will receive the “County Conference of Bar Leaders Award”.
Readers can view photographs, slide shows, videos and read more about Legal Eagles and their sponsors by clicking here.