Judge Ken Tapscott (L) with attendees
Shelton School hosted its 16th annual ethics symposium February 24. Sophomores and juniors from six schools attended the day-long event. Activities included guided discussions, small group exercises, and panel discussions with guest presenters. Keynote speakers and panelists engaged students with lessons learned from experiences within their respective professions. Attendees, selected for their leadership potential, included students from Shelton School, Episcopal School of Dallas, Hill School, Jesuit, St. Mark’s School of Dallas and Ursuline Academy.
Judge Ken Tapscott (Dallas County Court No. 4) gave the charge for the day and encouraged students to lead by example, vote without ceasing, and embrace jury duty service. He provided attendees with copies of the Constitution of the United States and stressed the importance of all citizens knowing their basic rights.
Shelton ethics instructors Zack Ladd, Zac Paxton, Mary Bashara and Tobin Knox led interactive discussions throughout the day.
Three panels engaged students in discussion concerning ethics – media, medicine, and business / law / politics. Panelists included Debbie Fleck (Dallas Morning News), Phyllis McNight (D Magazine Partners), Jason Wheeler (WFAA Ch. 8), Paul Neubach, MD, Chris Dreiling, MD, Travis Pierce (Compass Professional Health Services), Bruce Bradford (N. Dallas Chamber of Commerce), Adam Dougherty (Ogletree Deakins) and Terri West (Texas Instruments).
“We look forward to this day each year,” says Shelton Head of School Linda Kneese. “Our students learn from one another and from our panelists who share their real-world experience. Ethics is obviously such an important topic in our complex world today. At our event students get to hone their decision-making skills.”