Students hear case of Big Bad Wolf
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
A Moody County courtroom looked a little different this past Friday — and so did the case on trial.
A jury of local students ultimately ruled that the Big Bad Wolf was, in fact, up to no good when he showed up at the home of Ms. Curly Pig.
The mock trial of The Big Bad Wolf vs. The Three Little Pigs brought second and seventh grade government students from Flandreau Public Schools into a packed courtroom for a hands-on lesson in how the legal system works.
For many, it was their first time inside a courtroom.
The goal was simple: make government and civics real. Students followed the full hearing, listening as the Wolf claimed he was the victim — alleging Curly Pig tried to cook him when he came down the chimney. Curly Pig, played by Elementary School Principal Baylee Hemmer, told a different story, saying she was simply at home and trying to protect herself.
Students were given questions to think about throughout the case and, after hearing both sides, returned a verdict placing the blame on the Wolf.
After the trial, a panel of local legal professionals — including Carrie Sanderson, Jason Unger, Connor Hickman, Bob Pesall, Paul Lewis and Corey Bruning — stuck around to answer questions.
One of the simplest questions drew one of the biggest reactions.
“How many laws are there?” asked second grader Azure Eastman.
Judge Pesall answered by stacking book after book on his desk.
“I thought there were maybe just like 15 or 20 … there were way more than that,” Eastman said.
Beyond the laughs, the message was clear: the courtroom is a place meant to serve people.
“If you’re interested in law, there is no path that can stop you from getting there,” Unger told students. “No matter your interests, law school can open doors to anything you want to do.”
Pesall echoed that, encouraging students not to be intimidated by the setting.
“Don’t be afraid of the courthouse,” he said. “This system exists to help people solve problems and offer a fair way to sort things out.”
Hickman added that while the legal field may seem centered on arguments, there’s more to it.
“It’s completely okay to disagree,” he said. “You just need to do it in a way that’s civil and respectful.”
For some students, the experience shifted perspectives.
Seventh grader Joshua Weston said he had never considered a future in law before.
“I kind of want to do it now,” he said. “Actually, I think being a judge would be fun.”
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