As the Supreme Judicial Court's Judicial Youth Corps (JYC)
program has grown, so has the popularity of the JYC Appreciation
Day event.
On Aug. 15, high school students and their families were treated
to a standing-room-only reception at the John Adams Courthouse,
where members of the judiciary joined court personnel and lawyers
from around the state to celebrate the 2014 JYC graduates. A total
of 42 students from Boston, Worcester and Springfield completed the
program, which ran from May to July.
The JYC program gives urban high school students an opportunity to
experience the judicial system and learn about the law through
educational sessions and hands-on internships in the courts. The
SJC first established the summer program in Boston in 1991. The
Massachusetts Bar Association has partnered with the SJC since 2007
to expand the program to Worcester. This year, the MBA partnered
with Western New England University School of Law to return the
program to Springfield following a 13-year absence from the
city.
New SJC Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants opened the reception by
welcoming the students, whom he said were now part of the "court
family." Several JYC graduates either took to the podium or stood
from the audience to recount their experiences and share their
gratitude for their opportunity to be a part of the court
community.
MBA President-elect Marsha V. Kazarosian congratulated the
students and thanked the volunteers, teachers and sponsors,
including the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the primary sponsor of
the Worcester program. She offered special words of gratitude to
recently retired Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland, a long-time
supporter of the program who served as the master of ceremonies
during JYC Appreciation Day.
"While he will no longer be active on the bench, we are so
incredibly fortunate that Justice Ireland will continue to work
with the Judicial Youth Corps program even in retirement,"
Kazarosian said. "We can't thank him enough for his ongoing
dedication to the students in this program."
Reflecting on the JYC graduates' accomplishments, Kazarosian spoke
about the educational advantages of learning by doing. "This
summer, our students did just that," she said. "From all of us at
the Massachusetts Bar Association, we wish each and every one of
you good luck as you pursue your future careers."
Student reflections from the Judicial Youth Corps
The things I liked the most during my internship were
…
"The good feeling I have because I am now working at the
courthouse!"
"Saying 'good morning' to the judges and also having conversations
with them."
Some of the more interesting things I recall from my
internship are …
"Watching the mediation sessions and observing settlement of
cases."
"Seeing the two sides of lawyers. … In court they are all serious,
but in the file room they are joking around."
Some of the saddest things that I recall were
…
"When people were not showing up for court."
"Watching a lady cry after almost losing her child to DCF."
Some of the funniest things that I witnessed during my
internship are …
"When a fellow intern said that when he grew up he wanted to be a
plaintiff."
"Watching a 93-year-old woman and her husband. … She gave him a
friendly tap with her banana."