Although the team from Houston High School didn’t win the 2015 Constitution Project, it did have a successful showing.
The HHS crime scene investigation team won its division among the four squads at the annual competition’s state finals last week in Jefferson City. Senior Nathan Poynter was recognized as one of the top CSI performers in the finals and earned a $500 scholarship for his efforts.
Houston High School senior Nathan Poynter was recognized for his outstanding performance as a crime scene investigator in the 2015 Constitution Project finals.
Houston defeated West Plains, Rolla and Dixon to advance through the regional round, and finished as the state runners-up to champion Logan-Rogersville.
Now in its third year statewide, the Constitution Project is an intensive, hands-on competition that engages students in investigating a mock crime scene, reporting about the crime and the case as it progresses, culminating in a mock trial –– all under the mentoring of local professionals in the fields of crime scene investigation, journalism and trial advocacy.
The competition was founded by Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston.
The winning CSI team was mentored by Jim McNiell, former chief of the Houston Police Department. Along with Poynter, the group included Sevanna Rowland, Taylor Chipps and Charlie Sue Jadwin. McNiell and Casey Jadwin, a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, accompanied the group to the state finals.