10/09/2026
When you invest in Beyond 250, you invest in students like Ashu. Learn more about how you can support the civic future of Michigan students: https://miciviced.org/beyond-250/
“Civic education has always been an area that I’ve been passionate about. I enjoy the humanities, particularly civics and government, and I’ve developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in the legal field. As I’ve explored that interest, however, I’ve found that it can be challenging as a high school student to find meaningful opportunities to learn more about the field and gain firsthand experience. When I discovered Mock Trial through the Michigan Center for Civic Education, I was excited to have an opportunity to explore my own interests in law and civics in a hands-on way. At the same time, I saw an opportunity to help create those same experiences for other students who might be interested in these fields. That realization inspired me to found my school’s Mock Trial program, creating a space where students could explore similar interests, even if they had never had the opportunity to do so before. I hope to continue helping expand access to experiences like these for students across Michigan, and I am especially grateful to now be a part of MCCE and contribute to an organization dedicated to that mission.
I believe that students should have the ability to discover their interests, explore potential careers, and find meaningful ways to participate in their communities. At the same time, I think civic education is especially important today because our communities depend on people who understand how our government, legal system, and civic institutions work and who are willing to participate in them.”
