Harley's High School "Better Project"
Hawthorne High School was known throughout the state as a bold public high school, so when they introduced a new class simply titled, Better, educators throughout the state became intrigued. The purpose of this one open-ended semester class was for a high school student to choose a practical problem to solve to make the world better.
The class grade would be determined by whether the student chose an achievable goal and succeeded in meeting that goal. Harley was a mischievous 11th grader who signed up for this class. He was a member of the drama group at the school, the people who loved to thumb their noses at stuffy traditions. When the teacher for the Better course asked students to submit their proposals, Harley developed a mischievous, but practical plan for his "Better Project."
The nearby pizza store closed at 9 pm on weekdays. Harley found this inconvenient for his late night studying sessions and he was determined to extend the closing hours. Harley's plan was to initiate a court case with the goal of declaring that the closing of pizza stores at 9 pm to be unconstitutional, depriving him of his First Amendment right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of pizza with all the toppings.
His mother, an appellate court judge, was skeptical that this Better Project was worth pursing, but Harley was persistent -- and garnered the support of the teacher for this class. Harley, armed with his audacious plan to challenge the constitutionality of the pizza store's closing time, knew he needed some heavyweight support to make his case compelling. With a mischievous glint in his eye and a strategic mind, he set out to involve the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in his Better Project.
First, Harley meticulously drafted a persuasive letter outlining his argument: the 9 pm closing time was an infringement on his First Amendment rights, specifically the pursuit of happiness through the consumption of pizza. He argued that late-night pizza consumption was a vital component of his pursuit of life, liberty, and, of course, gastronomic satisfaction.
Harley then reached out to the local ACLU chapter, explaining his case and emphasizing the broader implications of a successful challenge. He highlighted the potential for setting a precedent that could influence similar cases across the nation. His letter was eloquent, infused with humor, and tailored to catch the attention of the ACLU lawyers.
The local ACLU chapter was intrigued by the unique nature of Harley's case and saw an opportunity to advocate for individual rights in a lighthearted yet impactful way. They decided to take on his case, viewing it as an opportunity to challenge societal norms and perhaps shed light on the importance of individual liberties in unexpected places. The ACLU lawyers began working with Harley, refining his arguments and crafting a legal strategy. They recognized the potential for using this case as a platform to raise awareness about broader civil liberties issues, using the seemingly trivial matter of late-night pizza as a gateway to discussing more significant constitutional rights.
Word spread quickly, and soon, Harley's Better Project gained attention not only within Hawthorne High School but also in the local community and beyond. The media picked up on the story, turning Harley into an unwitting advocate for the intersection of constitutional rights and late-night snack cravings. As the case gained momentum, the pizza store found itself at the center of a legal and cultural storm. The ACLU's involvement attracted even more support, turning Harley's mischievous plan into a symbol of the ongoing struggle for personal freedoms.
Harley, the drama group enthusiast, found himself thrust into the spotlight not just as a mischievous high school student, but as a catalyst for a unique legal battle that would leave an indelible mark on Hawthorne High School and the surrounding community. Little did he know that his pursuit of extended pizza hours would become a lesson in the power of creative activism and the unexpected ways in which individuals can challenge the status quo.
First, Harley meticulously drafted a persuasive letter outlining his argument: the 9 pm closing time was an infringement on his First Amendment rights, specifically the pursuit of happiness through the consumption of pizza. He argued that late-night pizza consumption was a vital component of his pursuit of life, liberty, and, of course, gastronomic satisfaction.
Harley then reached out to the local ACLU chapter, explaining his case and emphasizing the broader implications of a successful challenge. He highlighted the potential for setting a precedent that could influence similar cases across the nation. His letter was eloquent, infused with humor, and tailored to catch the attention of the ACLU lawyers.
The local ACLU chapter was intrigued by the unique nature of Harley's case and saw an opportunity to advocate for individual rights in a lighthearted yet impactful way. They decided to take on his case, viewing it as an opportunity to challenge societal norms and perhaps shed light on the importance of individual liberties in unexpected places. The ACLU lawyers began working with Harley, refining his arguments and crafting a legal strategy. They recognized the potential for using this case as a platform to raise awareness about broader civil liberties issues, using the seemingly trivial matter of late-night pizza as a gateway to discussing more significant constitutional rights.
Word spread quickly, and soon, Harley's Better Project gained attention not only within Hawthorne High School but also in the local community and beyond. The media picked up on the story, turning Harley into an unwitting advocate for the intersection of constitutional rights and late-night snack cravings. As the case gained momentum, the pizza store found itself at the center of a legal and cultural storm. The ACLU's involvement attracted even more support, turning Harley's mischievous plan into a symbol of the ongoing struggle for personal freedoms.
Harley, the drama group enthusiast, found himself thrust into the spotlight not just as a mischievous high school student, but as a catalyst for a unique legal battle that would leave an indelible mark on Hawthorne High School and the surrounding community. Little did he know that his pursuit of extended pizza hours would become a lesson in the power of creative activism and the unexpected ways in which individuals can challenge the status quo.
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Public domain -- freely distribute in digital or print form.
He/Him/His
"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options." David Suzuki
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