J.U.S.T. L.A.W., an initiative designed to promote better understanding between court officials and city youth, will hold its fifth annual awards ceremony at noon on Wednesday, June 7 at the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Blvd. 12 students will be recognized for their outstanding 2022-2023 essay submissions.
Rochester Deputy Mayor Patrick Cunningham will host the event, and be joined by the Hon. William K. Taylor, the Hon. Craig Doran, the Hon. Fatimat O. Reid, and RCSD Superintendent Dr. Carmine Peluso to congratulate the participants. Rochester Black Bar Association President, Jessica Simon-Rutledge, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
Justice, Understanding,Societal Trust and Literacy, Attendance, Writing (J.U.S.T.L.A.W) is a collaborative effort between the City of Rochester, the 7th
Judicial District, radio station 103.9 FM WDKX, the Rochester Black Bar Association, and the Rochester City School District. The initiative provides students in grades 6–9 the opportunity to interface with judges and other court officials and learn more about the U.S. legal system. The program was founded in 2017 by WDKX Owner and General Manager Andre Langston, along with Justice Craig Doran in collaboration with the City of Rochester.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, the 12 honorees will have an opportunity to recite their winning essays to invited guests including parents, school principals, judges, and Hall of Justice employees. The ceremony can also be viewed live https://notify.nycourts.gov/meet/0agzrn.
The winning essayists will receive Certificates of Special Mayoral Recognition, an Amazon Fire tablet, and a check for $103.90. Winners will also receive a J.U.S.T. L.A.W. Medal of Honor from the Rochester City School District.
Over the course of the program, judges from the 7th Judicial District visited 12 RCSD schools to present information on how the justice system works and the role it plays in the community. Students shared their own perspectives and experiences with the justice system, fostering important dialogue between court officials and participating youth.
Students wrote 250-word essays on the topic, “What Justice Means to Me.” More than 100 essays were judged by the J.U.S.T. L.A.W. executive committee members, and the top 12 essays were selected as the winners, to mirror the jury selection process and the 12 jurors selected for a trial.
The 2022-2023 J.U.S.T. L.A.W. student winners are:
Joel Canales RISE Community School 6th grade
Zoe DeBlieck School of the Arts 7th
grade
Kidielys Diaz Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 8th
grade
Zahra Hassani School of the Arts 7th
grade
Nyomi Lee-Riley RISE Community School 6th grade
Paola Lorenzana Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 8th
grade
Keriam Ocasio Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 7th
grade
Patricia Padilla Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 7th
grade
Edialis Trinidad Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 8th
grade
Alana Williams Dr. Alice Holloway School of Excellence 8th grade
Mason Wolff Anna Murray-Douglass Academy 7th
grade
Maria Yohana Dr. Alice Holloway School of Excellence 8th
grade
For more information on the Just Law program, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/justlaw/.
Original source can be found here.
