(June 16, 2021) The Rochester City School District would like to congratulate 12 of its students who completed the J.U.S.T. L.A.W. program for the 2020 – 21 school year. J.U.S.T. L.A.W. stands for Justice, Understanding, Societal Trust and Literacy, Attendance, and Writing. Through a partnership with the City of Rochester, the 7th Judicial District, WDKX 103.9, the Rochester Black Bar Association, and the RCSD, judges from the local area visited students in grades 6 – 9 virtually to teach them about the judicial system.
This program explores several topics including the importance of school attendance, ways for students to express concerns, questions, desires, and/or expectations relating to the court system. Students also had an opportunity to submit an essay on the topic of “What Justice Means to Me.” This school year, over 90 students entered this essay contest and 12 were selected as winners. The following 12 winners were honored during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, June 15:
- 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
Essay contest winners received a medal, an Amazon Fire tablet, and a check for $103.90. Students will also be partnered with a mentor from the Rochester Black Bar Association.
