Chair – Hon. Connie Mallafré Mélendez
On behalf of the LJA , and as chair of the LJA High School Speakers Series, I wish to thank each of the judges who volunteered to share with high school students the lessons they learned as they made the journey to the judiciary. While every judge has his or her own story to tell, imparting to young people the wisdom acquired in pursuit of an education and a career is of universal value to high schoolers. Our program, aimed at demystifying college, law school and beyond, has been an enormous success as the stories our judges tell are based on circumstances similar to those the students encounter today. While understanding that not everyone must go to college or even law school, conversations with the students leave them with tools to guide them beyond high school. The students yearn to hear about how we made the decisions we made and seek our advice to help them make their own. I am grateful to the board for their support, connections to their school contacts and for sharing the vision.
We intend to continue the program for the 2023-2024 school year, so if you are interested in participating or have a school contact you wish to share, please contact me directly and click the link below.
Below we have shared some photos of those virtual programs and reflections from our colleague volunteers.
Click Here for the Semester of 2023
Click Here for the Semester of 2022
Click Here for the Semester of 2021
Click Here for the Semester of 2020
2024 Semester
L. I. F. E. Academy High School for Film and Music
2630 Benson Avenue, Brooklyn 11214
Partners:
Eugenia Kelch, Principal; A. Paul Fisher, Educator
Hon. Connie Mallafré Mélendez
“The 2023-2024 school year was off to a great start. I had the pleasure of speaking to students during our first presentation of the year. The overwhelming impression that our conversation may impact the life of a young person stayed with me all day. There is great power in teaching by example; just as valuable are lessons based on sharing ones’ trials and errors. This program brought that to the students, and more.”
2024
Consolyea Preparatory Middle School
Partners:
Carmen Bitar, Administration; Ralmi Polanco, Teacher
Hon. Diego Freire
“Seeing the curiosity and enthusiasm in the student’s eyes as I shared my experiences and insights was truly gratifying, the class was well prepared and asked excellent questions.
From my early years in the NYC public school system to studying law and then gaining invaluable experience in the legal field, each step has shaped me into the person/judge I am today. Being able to share my story with the hope of inspiring the next generation while imparting some wisdom along the way is a privilege I cherish deeply. I look forward to doing it again.”
February 2024
Bronx High School of Law Government and Justice
244 E 163rd St, Bronx, NY 10451
Educators:
Hon. Patria Frías-Colon
“Today I had the pleasure and honor to participate in a conversation with students from the Bx HS for Law Gov’t and Justice, the first NYC urban assembly school that was founded by Chancellor Banks in 1997. I was excited to learn that the school is committed to ensuring their students have civic literacy, which provides them with knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to effectively work in our diverse society. Their questions were thoughtful, insightful and endearing. What a pleasure to have engaged with them in this way.”
March 2024
Newcomers High School
28-01 41st Avenue, Queens, NY 11101
Educators:
Shanna Kirgan, ELA Teacher
Hon. Javier Vargas
“It was a pleasure to share my career and judicial path with the students of New Comers High School in Spanglish, as most of them were newly arrived immigrants. They peppered me with incisive questions about my decision-making process, family and criminal laws, and how to deal with difficult and emotional cases. The experience was memorable as in teaching them I learned about myself. Most crucially, I hope to have planted a desire of pursuing higher education in whatever field they dream off. I truly exhort all my colleagues to share their experiences and teach the next generation through this LJA program.”
January 2024
Hon. Manuel J. Mendez, Appellate Division 1st Dept.
“I want to thank Judge Mallafre and LJA for giving me the opportunity to speak with the students of Newcomers High School. It is important that these youngsters hear from individuals who have been in the same position they are in today and faced the same challenges and obstacles they are now facing. It is important for them to know that despite the obstacles, with perseverance and hard work our dreams and desires can be achieved through education. I thank you once again for the opportunity to speak to these students and look forward to being of service to you and LJA in the future.”
January 9, 2024
Hon. Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor
“It was an honor to address the students of the Newcomers School through the LJA High School Speaker Series Program. This program is instrumental in developing and nurturing diverse and qualified law school candidates that represent our communities. I hope in sharing how I overcame early life obstacles I inspired someone in a similar situation to know that they too can achieve a position where they may help their community thrive and be healthy. I hope that I inspired some if not all of them to consider a legal career.”
January 2024
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