Three Criminal Justice students from the LoGuidice Educational Center were recognized for essays written to mark the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.
Julian Rivera, a junior from Lake Shore, earned first-place honors in an essay contest coordinated by the court to recognize its storied history.
Christina Zastrow, a senior from Dunkirk, took second place, while Natalia Elliott, a senior from Gowanda, received an honorable mention.
The contest was part of a yearlong educational outreach program by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In their essays, students were asked to identify a school policy that impacts First Amendment rights in schools, using reasoning from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1943 landmark decision in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette.
Rivera will receive $250 for taking first place.
“I was just shocked when I heard the news,” he said. “I’m just grateful that my essay was received well.”
Zastrow will receive $200 for her second-place submission. “I was very surprised and also very grateful that all three of us were recognized,” she said.
For her honorable mention, Elliott will receive $50. “I’m happy we all got to be part of this,” she said.
By placing, all three Criminal Justice students automatically qualified for the court’s 125th anniversary Mock Argument Competition taking place April 9 at the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse in Buffalo. Contestants will argue the position taken in their essays to a panel of three federal judges.
“Winning first place, second place, and receiving honorable mention is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and dedication to exploring the important themes of freedom of speech and religious liberty,” Criminal Justice instructor Jennie Alessi said. “I am incredibly proud of them for their unique perspectives and the effort they put into their essays.”
In January, Alessi welcomed James (Jeb) Bobseine, an assistant U.S. attorney; Elliott Raimondo, corporation counsel for the cities of Jamestown and Dunkirk; and Patrick Healy, a federal judiciary employee, to her classroom. The program to mark the court’s anniversary brought volunteer attorneys into schools to engage students and foster a greater understanding of the role of the judiciary.
Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES was chosen to take part in the program.
The lesson at LoGuidice this past January was structured around West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that addressed the constitutionality of compulsory flag salutes in schools. In a 6-3 decision, the court held that it was unconstitutional for public schools to compel students to salute the flag.
“Their ability to engage with such significant topics, particularly in light of the historic West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette case, showcased not only their writing skills but also their critical thinking and understanding of complex issues,” Alessi said.
