Students honored for essays on “What Justice Means to Me”

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Twelve middle school students were honored Wednesday for their essays on the topic: “What Justice Means to Me.”

The event at the Hall of Justice was the seventh annual award presentation of J.U.S.T. L.A.W., an initiative to promote better understanding between court officials and students in Rochester.

The winners are:

• Angelina Ceravolo-Mercado, Thurgood Marshall Middle School, eighth grade
• Ja’Cier Cowart, School No. 16, sixth grade
• Finn Delehanty, School of the Arts, seventh grade
• Charlee Dilley, School of the Arts, seventh grade
• Christian Dukes, School No. 16, sixth grade
• Amira Jilane, John Williams School No. 5, sixth grade
• Arlin Johnson, School No. 16, sixth grade
• Reagan Johnson, East Lower School, eighth grade
• Daniel Mykins, School No. 16, sixth grade
• Karon Odum, Loretta Johnson Middle School, eighth grade
• Annabelle Ortiz, East High School, seventh grade
• Thalia Sampel, John Williams School No. 5, sixth grade

The students received certificates, medals of honor, and prizes.

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 Seventh Judicial District, radio station 103.9 FM WDKX, the Rochester Black Bar Association, and the Rochester City School District.

Each year, the program begins with visits by judges to Rochester schools to present information on how the justice system works and the role it plays in the community.

Students were asked to write a 250-word essay on the topic: “What Justice Means to Me.” The J.U.S.T. L.A.W. executive committee selected the top 12 essays.

The program selected 12 winners to mirror the jury selection process, which typically involves 12 jurors.