Adviser Update Adviser Update Spring 2017 | Page 28

They learned how to identify
plagiarized information. They
spoke with multiple individuals
at the University of Tulsa in the
theater department, admissions
office, records and the registrar.
They spoke to officials in
Stockton, Calif., the alleged
location of Corllins University.
They discovered a mountain and
chose to climb it.
On Wednesday, while the
students researched, the
superintendent arranged a
Skype interview with Amy
Robertson for Thursday, March
16.
How did six of the strictest
rule-abiding students cause the
resignation of a principal? By
seeking the truth. Throughout
the process of digging for
answers to simple questions,
the “Pittsburg Six” discovered
the importance of truth and
transparency. Six teenagers who
began this journey with wide-
eyed innocence now view the
world with an inquisitive and
cautious eye.
In fact, I think all of us involved
now share their lens.
What started out as a simple
introductory article quickly
shifted gears to an investigation
after simple questions did not
result in simple answers.
After being informed by USD
250 superintendent Destry
Brown of Amy Robertson’s
educational history, Maddie
Baden, Kali Poenitske, Gina
Mathew, Trina Paul, Connor
Balthazor and Patrick Sullivan
spent Wednesday, March 15,
researching.
They researched information
on Corllins University. They
learned about diploma mills.
They learned how accreditation
mills masquerade to validate
diploma mills. They perfected
how to reverse image search.
After reviewing the information,
in the spirit of honesty and
transparency, the students
decided they should speak with
the superintendent Wednesday
afternoon. He arrived within
moments and quietly listened as
they quickly summarized their
findings. Highlighted articles
handed over to him were briefly
glanced at.
The conversation filled with
words such as “sleuthing” and
“interrogation” ended after
the superintendent assured
the students he would not put
the high school or district at
risk by hiring an unqualified
principal. He recommended