Waynesburg U. Stover Scholars present annual Constitution Day production

The Waynesburg University Stover Scholars presented a screening of their annual Constitution Day video production Thursday, Sept. 19, in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center in celebration of Constitution Day.

Having the opportunity to be a part of this process is always a rewarding challenge. It's a project that I get to learn from and employ my creativity in, but also one that allows me to work together with some truly wonderful people."

This year's production titled, "Who's Going to Carry the Steamboats: An Interstate Dilemma," focuses on the 1824 U.S. Supreme Court Case, Gibbons v. Ogden, a landmark case that established the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce on navigable waters, led by Chief Justice John Marshall.

In the case, two steamboat operators, Thomas Gibbons and Aaron Ogden, enter into a legal dispute over state laws regarding operations on the water. Ogden, who held an exclusive New York state license, sued Gibbons, who held a federal license, in an attempt to prevent him from operating in New York waters.

The Court, stating the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution provided Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce and override state laws, ruled in favor of Gibbons.

"The Stover Scholars have continued their annual tradition-lasting over a decade-of compellingly dramatizing a landmark United States Supreme Court case, this time telling the story of two steamboats in New York Harbor fighting over the meaning of interstate commerce and its relation to navigable American waters," said Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton, professor of ethics and constitutional law and director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership. "The students have been studying Gibbons v. Ogden since January in preparation for this Constitution Day presentation."

The drama was written, directed and filmed by members of the Stover Scholar Constitution Day Committee, chair Kimberly Trump and committee members Joshua DeFries, Kristie Faber and Dheaven Kelley. Stover Scholar alumnus T.J. DeNofrio ('20), also a graduate of the New England School of Law in Boston, produced the film.

"Having the opportunity to be a part of this process is always a rewarding challenge. It's a project that I get to learn from and employ my creativity in, but also one that allows me to work together with some truly wonderful people" said Trump. "I cannot thank everyone involved enough for their patience and effort, and hope everyone enjoys the show!"

Every year the Stover Scholars select a Supreme Court case or a constitutional topic to research, write and perform for their annual Constitution Day production, providing an exciting way for students to bring the case or theme to life for the campus community.

"Who's Going to Carry the Steamboats: An Interstate Dilemma"

*This presentation is student-produced content.

The full cast list includes:

• Narrator and Journalist 2 - Kimberly Trump, a senior psychology major from Fairchance, Pennsylvania
• Editor 1 - Gracie Rape, a freshman psychology major from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
• Editor 2 - Anna Robertson, a senior psychology major from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
• Journalist 1 - Caroline Poole, a senior early childhood education major from Greencastle, Pennsylvania
• Interpreterand Justice Marshall - Joshua DeFries, a senior computer science major from East Aurora, New York
• Team Member 1 - Sydney Kratsas, a freshman forensic accounting major from Harmony, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 2 - Olivia Toth, a sophomore middle-level education (social studies) major from Carmichaels, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 3 - Rachel Arhin, a freshman political science major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 4 - Emma Shashura, a freshman accounting major from Fredericktown, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 5 - Emily Barker, a senior criminal justice major from Mount Sterling, Ohio
• Team Member 6 - John Scott, a freshman digital design major from Ellsworth, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 7 - Kristie Faber, a senior business management major from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
• Team Member 8 - Makai'o Nihipali-Sanchez, a freshman forensic accounting major from Waianae, Hawaii
• Webster - Dheaven Kelley, a senior pre-law major from Washington, Pennsylvania
• Witt - Alex Solomon, a senior political science major from Morgantown, West Virginia
• Emmitt - Alex Canestraro, a senior social science (political science) major from Wheeling, West Virginia
• Oakley - Tessa Eggleston, a freshman nursing major from Jefferson, Pennsylvania
• Justice Johnson- Jason Polgar, a senior political science and biblical ministry studies major from Follansbee, West Virginia