Twenty-eight students were honored Wednesday night as graduates of the Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) Youth Court Class of 2016.
“The Youth Court program enables students to experience first-hand what it is like to be an attorney, detective, Judge, Bailiff, and Court Officer,” said Youth Court Director, Nancy Levin. “This incredible program is a careful collaboration of so many vital members of our community. The Social Workers at the local high schools, local attorneys, police, and even our esteemed Town Justices all work together to teach the incoming Youth Court class everything there is to know about the Criminal Justice System.”
The ceremony was attended by many local dignitaries including: The Honorable Judge Gary Raniolo; Senator Terrence Murphy; County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz; County Legislator John Testa; Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace; Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana; Yorktown Councilman Greg Bernard; and Yorktown Councilman Vishnu Patel.
“As a Yorktown Justice, I have had the pleasure to work together with Yorktown Justice Sal Lagonia in support of the ASK Youth Court program and many of ASK’s mentors who are dedicated, conscientious and hard-working individuals,” said Raniolo. “I am energized by the interest and enthusiasm shown by ASK and the students who participate in the Youth Court program. It is an honor for me to share my legal experience, and help shape their understanding and attitude about the criminal justice systems, the judicial process and the rule of law.”
Leaders from the local school districts were in attendance including: Yorktown Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ralph Napolitano; Yorktown High School Assistant Principal, Deborah Brand; Yorktown High School Assistant Principal, John Gollisz; Lakeland High School Principal, Lorrie Yurish; ASK Board Member and Lakeland Board of Education Trustee, Denise Kness; ASK Board Member and Yorktown High School Social Worker, Karen Profita, LCSW; Yorktown High School Student Assistance Counselor, Lydia Whitney. Also in attendance were members from the ASK Youth Court Advisory Board, Liz Greene and Ellen Pinto.
The ceremony was hosted by the Alliance for Safe Kids and held at Yorktown Justice Court. The class of 2016 is:
- Saketh Anand, Yorktown High School
- Christopher Besterman, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Ariana Blume, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Marlaina Cirone, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Jaclyn Gojcaj, Yorktown High School
- Nicole Gaudino, Soundview Preparatory School
- Christopher Kenney, Lakeland High School
- Kayla Knoesel, Yorktown High School
- Keiran Lampersberger, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Sam Levin, The Masters School
- Tracey Li, Yorktown High School
- Nicholas Mancini, Yorktown High School
- Robert Markman, Lakeland High School
- Tyler McDonnell, Yorktown High School
- Gianluca Micciari, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Aidan Mooney, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Sam Nolan, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Dina Palevic, Yorktown High School
- Emma Ralls, Yorktown High School
- Alexandra Ramos, Soundview Preparatory School
- Grace Raynor, Yorktown High School
- Joseph Rohle, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Julia Santini, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Jessica Schneider, Yorktown High School
- Julian Silverman, Hastings High School
- Jack Tinari, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Connor Townes, Mildred E. Strang Middle School
- Christa Vasile, Yorktown High School