News Release - J.U.S.T. L.A.W. Student Essay Winners to be Recognized at Virtual Awards Ceremony

City of Rochester

News Release


(Monday, June 14, 2021) - J.U.S.T. L.A.W., an initiative designed to promote better understanding between court officials and city youth, will hold its third annual awards ceremony, noon–2 p.m., tomorrow, Tue., June 15 to recognize the 12 students selected as 2020-2021 essay contest winners. The virtual ceremony will take place via Zoom at: https://cityofrochester.zoom.us/j/98342195480; Webinar ID: 983 4219 5480.

The event will be co-hosted by Mayor Lovely A. Warren, the Honorable Craig J. Doran, 7th Judicial District Administrative Judge and Rochester City School District Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small.

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 an opportunity for students in grades 6–9 to interface with judges and other court officials in an effort to better educate them about the U.S. legal system.

During Tuesday’s virtual ceremony, each of the 12 honorees will recite their winning essays. Invited guests include parents, school principals, judges, Hall of Justice employees and members of the Rochester Police Department.

Over the course of the program, judges from the 7th Judicial District visited students at 10 city schools to discuss how the justice system works and the role it plays in the community. Students shared their perspectives and experiences with the justice system, fostering an important dialogue between the court officials and participating youth. Following the school visits, students were asked to write a 250-word essay on the topic, “What Justice Means to Me.” 12 winners were chosen to mirror the 12-member jury selection process.

The 2020-2021 J.U.S.T. L.A.W. student winners are:

• Elizabeth Soffa, 6th grade, Francis Parker School No. 23
• Gregory Harvey, 7th grade, Nathaniel Rochester Middle School
• Maeve Caine, 7th grade, World of Inquiry School No. 58
• Javier Sosa, 7th grade, World of Inquiry School No. 58
• Aniya Lewis, 7th grade, World of Inquiry School No. 58
• Wadah Saeed, 7th grade, Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19
• Amari McGee, 7th grade, Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No.19
• Yarielys Castro-Lopez, 7th grade, Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19
• Kenarvis Hurst, 7th grade, Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School No. 12
• Timyra Lovett, 8th grade, Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School No. 12
• Shavonne Burrows, 8th grade, Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School No. 12
• Yeriel Benitez, 8th grade, Anna Murray-Douglass Academy School No. 12

The students will receive a certificate of mayoral recognition, a J.U.S.T. L.A.W. medal of honor, an Amazon Fire tablet and a check for $103.90 at the J.U.S.T. L.A.W. mentor/mentee pairing event 1–4 p.m., Sat., June 19 at Ellison Park’s Island Shelter. For more information or to RSVP, please send an email to: info@rbbalaw.org. School administrators or students who would like more information about J.U.S.T. L.A.W. should contact Liliana Ruiz at (585) 428-7045.

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