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Cardinals reward WASA Youth Court with $5,000 donation
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Carol Broeder/Range News Bringing home the dough: Willcox Youth Court members with their $5,000 donation from the Arizona Cardinals football team. Top row, from left, is Amanda Seay, Cyrena Crockett, Jay Levine, Nolan Hatch and Ben Levine. Holding the big check is Stephanie Saldana and Arlene Sanchez. |
By CAROL BROEDER/Arizona Range News
The Willcox Youth Court team, a 12-member group, was recently awarded a $5,000 grant by the Arizona Cardinals football team.
The check was presented Dec. 11 during halftime of the Cardinals game with the Washington Redskins.
Checks for $5,000 each were presented to three other Arizona non-profit organizations -- Diablos al Servicio of Tempe, The Obstacle Course of Chandler, and Youth in Business of Prescott Valley.
The Willcox team was nominated by Sally White, coordinator of Willcox Against Substance Abuse, the youth court's sponsoring agency.
"We are delighted to inform you that as a result of your community betterment efforts, you have been chosen as one of the four Arizona Cardinals Junior Community Quarterback Award winners," Luis Zendejas, Cardinals' director of community relations, said in a letter to White.
The award honors high-school and college-aged students "who exemplify leadership, dedication, and creativity," Zendejas said. "Each of the individuals honored displays a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through creating community betterment programs. We are proud to be able to recognize your service."
Members of the Willcox Youth Court are Cyrena Crockett, Rachel Hatch, Ben Levine, Stephanie Saldana, Cortis Hamilton, Justin Lane, Jay Levine, Alex Sergovia, Nolan Hatch, Chris Lee, Amanda Seay and Jeff Stewart.
"WASA is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of the Youth Court," White said in her nomination letter. "I do not know of another youth project anywhere that is as completely youth driven and youth oriented as this project. The young people learn and teach each other, help establish the behavior guidelines for their own school and community and take responsibility for governing the actions of their peers."
The Willcox Youth Court began in March 1997 when "it was created as and continues to operate as a totally youth-driven program," she said.
There are up to 18 youth on the team at any given time, and on average they hear 10 cases per month and receive four to five hours of training monthly to stay current, White said.
"Young people between eighth and 12th grade are trained to take a pro-active role in the community by helping determine sanctions for lower level juvenile offenses," she said.
City Magistrate Gary Hatch serves as legal advisor for the team "and allows the group to act as a fully recognized legal body," said White, adding that WASA acts as a logistical partner, "helping with scheduling, filing, funding, and other activities necessary for the continuing of the program.
"But the driving force are the young people who fill every position from judge to bailiff and help reduce crime in their local area by giving sentences to peers that will help them learn and not repeat their mistakes," she said.
Two key indicators of success are the recidivism rate, which is less than eight percent, and the fact that about 15 percent of the key members "started their youth court experience as defendants," White said.
"The Willcox Youth Court has been recognized by the city of Willcox, Office of Juvenile Justice, and the National Crime Prevention Council," said White, adding that the group has conducted trials at Wickenburg Justice Court, Pima County Courts and Gilbert/Mesa Courts.
"They are always professional and articulate, " she said. "We have a few members who started as defendants but became some of our best leaders."
The check was presented Dec. 11 during halftime of the Cardinals game with the Washington Redskins.
Checks for $5,000 each were presented to three other Arizona non-profit organizations -- Diablos al Servicio of Tempe, The Obstacle Course of Chandler, and Youth in Business of Prescott Valley.
The Willcox team was nominated by Sally White, coordinator of Willcox Against Substance Abuse, the youth court's sponsoring agency.
"We are delighted to inform you that as a result of your community betterment efforts, you have been chosen as one of the four Arizona Cardinals Junior Community Quarterback Award winners," Luis Zendejas, Cardinals' director of community relations, said in a letter to White.
The award honors high-school and college-aged students "who exemplify leadership, dedication, and creativity," Zendejas said. "Each of the individuals honored displays a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through creating community betterment programs. We are proud to be able to recognize your service."
Members of the Willcox Youth Court are Cyrena Crockett, Rachel Hatch, Ben Levine, Stephanie Saldana, Cortis Hamilton, Justin Lane, Jay Levine, Alex Sergovia, Nolan Hatch, Chris Lee, Amanda Seay and Jeff Stewart.
"WASA is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of the Youth Court," White said in her nomination letter. "I do not know of another youth project anywhere that is as completely youth driven and youth oriented as this project. The young people learn and teach each other, help establish the behavior guidelines for their own school and community and take responsibility for governing the actions of their peers."
The Willcox Youth Court began in March 1997 when "it was created as and continues to operate as a totally youth-driven program," she said.
There are up to 18 youth on the team at any given time, and on average they hear 10 cases per month and receive four to five hours of training monthly to stay current, White said.
"Young people between eighth and 12th grade are trained to take a pro-active role in the community by helping determine sanctions for lower level juvenile offenses," she said.
City Magistrate Gary Hatch serves as legal advisor for the team "and allows the group to act as a fully recognized legal body," said White, adding that WASA acts as a logistical partner, "helping with scheduling, filing, funding, and other activities necessary for the continuing of the program.
"But the driving force are the young people who fill every position from judge to bailiff and help reduce crime in their local area by giving sentences to peers that will help them learn and not repeat their mistakes," she said.
Two key indicators of success are the recidivism rate, which is less than eight percent, and the fact that about 15 percent of the key members "started their youth court experience as defendants," White said.
"The Willcox Youth Court has been recognized by the city of Willcox, Office of Juvenile Justice, and the National Crime Prevention Council," said White, adding that the group has conducted trials at Wickenburg Justice Court, Pima County Courts and Gilbert/Mesa Courts.
"They are always professional and articulate, " she said. "We have a few members who started as defendants but became some of our best leaders."
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