Twelve Sworn In As Kosciusko Cares Teen Court Members
KOSCIUSKO — Twelve teens were sworn in as Kosciusko Cares Teen Court members during a ceremony held Monday, Aug. 20.
Teen Court is a restorative justice program for juveniles involved in first time offenses. The program allows for participants to take responsibility for their actions and work to restore balance to relationships with their family and peers. Teen Court members receive training in principles of restorative justice and roles of the prosecutor and defense attorney. They also learn how to prepare a case for a teen court hearing and complete a Teen Court Bar Exam.
The new Teen Court members will serve throughout the 2018-19 school year. It’s estimated they will hear approximately 80 cases during their tenure. Each Teen Court member will provide more than 120 hours of volunteer service for the community.
During the ceremony, Teen Court Coordinator Marsha Carey thanked the teens for all their hard work and devotion toward the program.
Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz also spoke at the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of Teen Court and how it can benefit teens.
“You are giving others the tools and mechanisms to fix what they’ve broken,” said Voelz.
Twelve students from four local schools were sworn in at the ceremony. The Teen Court members include Abby Rucoi, Warsaw; Andie Heiman, Warsaw; Blake Durecki, Warsaw; Charlotte Grandon, Warsaw; Emily Kitson, Warsaw; Jocelyn Courtney, Whitko; Katie Mallory, Wawasee; Kyla Smith, Warsaw; Lesley Tayugua, Wawasee; Sarahy Duenas, Warsaw; Sydney Stotler, Triton; and Vivian Gaerte, Whitko.
Tayugua and Stotler are returning members from last year.
Parents and community members alike were present at the ceremony. Defense attorney John Barrett will serve as the Teen Court Judge. Barrett acts as coach for the Teen Court members, assisting them with court procedures. Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge David Cates swore in the twelve Teen Court members at the ceremony.