A Sit Down with Bronx Youth Court Member

Bronx Youth Court Member and Alahna  


What was it like to go through the training you attended with other Youth Court members this summer?
My experience with the Youth Court training was fun. I was nervous because I hadn’t done anything like that before. It exposed me to a lot of things that I didn’t know about the law. And since the training this summer the other Youth Court members have become like family now. I really love all of them.

Was there an instructor that connected or subject that resonated with you from this summer’s training?
An instructor I really connected to was Ummer. We just clicked out of nowhere. A subject that really stuck out to me was what to do when you are stopped by the police. That really stayed with me.

You’ve participated in some community events since becoming a Youth Court member. Is there anything that you would want the Bronx Youth Court to do for the community as you move forward?
A community cleanup would be nice. I see so much trash on the streets and this is where people live. I want people to live in a clean and safe community. I would love for us to start a program for kids that don’t have anything to do after school. Maybe we could offer them help with their homework or give them something to do. Oh, and I know it’s big but maybe we can start a sports team, like a Bronx Youth Court basketball or football team. Any sport that a child would play.

That sound cool. So, you would want that to turn into a tournament with other Youth Courts eventually?
Yeah that would be cool.

You had the chance to participate in Youth Court’s first court case. Can you tell me what that experience was like for you?
It was a little nerve-wracking because it was our first case. But I think I did pretty good and I made a new friend.

Was the friend you made the client in the case?
Yes.

How do you think the client felt as he went through the case with you guys?
I think he felt happy. He said he wanted to come back and I was like “wow this is great”. We were really able to make a difference.



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