SKILLS - High School -- LawWorks

Gordon D. Schaber (GDS) Competition

What is GDS?

The Center for Youth Citizenship’s (CYC) Gordon D. Schaber (GDS) Competition is a model school and legal community partnership providing schools and communities in five counties (El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sacramento, and Yolo) with service, leadership, moot court, and mock trial activities that increase youth understanding of the law and our judicial system. In its 28th year, the GDS Competition brings area youth valuable connections to the local legal community, opportunities for future career exploration, and the chance to develop the academic, service, and leadership skills needed by our young citizens.

The GDS experience challenges participating youth to learn to work as a team, develop their critical thinking, analytical, public speaking, leadership, and problem solving skills, and interact with local leaders, including Superior Court Judges, Appellate and U.S. District Court Justices, and other Sacramento area legal professionals. In Moot Court, participating youth prepare and argue an appellate level case before a panel of three judges that evaluate the students on the quality and persuasiveness of their legal reasoning and presentation, as well as their unscripted responses to spontaneous questions from the bench. The Mock Trial event simulates a trial level proceeding in which students portray the roles of pre-trial counsel, prosecuting or defense attorneys, witnesses, court clerks, bailiffs, and jurors. Courtroom Artist and Courtroom Journalist competition events are also offered through Mock Trial, where participating students observe and capture through images and words the details of their school’s mock trial proceedings. The GDS Law Program also offers students a variety of service and leadership opportunities including student mentoring, student internships, court related service, and community outreach and education.

All high schools from the greater Sacramento region are invited to take part in the GDS Competition. Annually, approximately 500 student leaders from more than 25 local high schools participate, and nearly 200 individuals from the region’s legal community volunteer their time and resources.

This program is conducted by the Center for Youth Citizenship with the support and partnership of the:
• Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento;
• California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District;
• U.S. District Court and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California;
• Sacramento County Office of Education and area districts and schools;
• Sacramento County Bar Association/Law Foundation and area firms and legal organizations; and
• Legal Professional Volunteers from throughout the Greater Sacramento Region.

Copyright ©2003. Center for Youth Citizenship. All rights reserved.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 269003, Sacramento, CA 95826-9003
Physical Address: 10170 Missile Way, Mather, CA 95655
(916) 228-2322 . Fax (916) 228-2493 . cyc@scoe.net