Russellville High School’s deGraffenried Auditorium has played host to a wide array of events – school assemblies, plays, and band recitals, to name a few. Recently, it took on a new role – that of a courtroom – as Mr. Corey Waters’ AP World History students put “Genghis Khan” (portrayed by teacher/coach Mr. Pete Ries) on trial for being an uncivilized ruler and leader many centuries ago. 

‘Judge’ Waters presided over the event, and students took on the personas of prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, and witnesses such as Kublai Khan and Marco Polo. Members of Ms. Jessie Baker’s AP class served as jurors and/or observed the trial. Several parents also served on the jury. 

Attorneys for the prosecution presented evidence of the often violent manner in which the defendant expanded his empire, and the attorneys defending Khan pointed out that Khan's reputation may have been exaggerated and that he always made an offer of peace prior to waging war. 

Although the jury did return a verdict, winning or losing was not the point. What really mattered was that students had an opportunity to look at history in a fresh, interactive manner. No doubt, they will remember Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire much longer and more vividly than if they had simply read about them in a textbook.