SKILLS - High School -- LawWorks

Gordon D. Schaber High School Law Program
A LawWorks Partnership
Kick-Off Luncheon Highlights

The Gordon D. Schaber (GDS) High School Law Program Kickoff Luncheon was held on September 21, 2007 at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Sacramento. The luncheon proved a great success in highlighting themes of justice, fairness and equity and recognizing members of the legal community whose support is helping to make character and good citizenship a part every student’s education and future success.

The emcee for this year’s luncheon was Robert Dugan, Member of CYC’s Board of Directors. The Honorable Dave Jones, Representative of the 9th District in the California State Assembly and Member of the CYC’s Board of Trustees, also helped the Center emcee and introduced this year’s keynote speaker, Ginger Rutland. Ms. Rutland is an Editorial Page Writer for the Sacramento Bee; her presentation centered on her mother’s novel, When We Were Colored. Luncheon attendees were able to see how this book remains as relevant today as it was during the height of our nation's still-unfinished struggle to secure liberty, justice and equality for all.

After Ms. Rutland’s presentation, luncheon participants shared their personal perspectives on the merits of the LawWorks Partnership and the GDS High School Law Program in particular. GDS is often the first introduction that participating youth have to the local courts and legal community, and all who communicated their thoughts reinforced the need for programs like it in the region.

While the importance of educating youth about the rule of law and the judicial system is a main focus of the GDS Kickoff Luncheon, CYC also uses the event as an opportunity to present prestigious awards to worthy recipients from the judicial and legal communities. This year’s honorees were:

Youth Education & Community Outreach Award
The Honorable Morrison England, Jr., United States District Court, Eastern District of California

Center Partnership Award
Abbott & Kindermann
Amy Pierce, Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP

Community Citizenship Award
Eva Rutland
Ginger Rutland

CYC is pleased to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and thanks those who joined us at the luncheon in support of the LawWorks Partnership.

Please note that there are still more opportunities to become involved in this valuable educational partnership. For more information on how to support LawWorks and the Gordon D. Schaber High School Law Program, please contact the Center for Youth Citizenship at cyc@scoe.net or (916) 228-2322.

Event Program

The Honorable Dave Jones, Member of the California State Assembly and CYC’s Board of Trustees, introduced the keynote speaker at this year’s luncheon.

Terry Dugan, CYC Board Member, and Darrell Martin, representing Chief Albert Najera from the Sacramento Police Department.

Youth and Teacher Participants from the LawWorks Partnership.

Youth and Teacher Participants from the LawWorks Partnership.

The Sacramento Sheriff’s Department joined CYC in discussing issues of justice, fairness and equity.

Larry Brown, First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Member of CYC’s Board of Directors & GDS Advisory Committee; Osha Meserve, Adams, Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo and GDS Advisory Committee Member; Peter Leal, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary; Steve Churchwell, DLA Piper, Rudnick Gray Cary.

Joseph P. Maloney, CYC Executive Director, and Robert Dugan, Granite Construction & CYC Board Member.

Patrick O’Connor, former Elk Grove High School student and GDS High School Law Program participant, spoke of the impact this partnership has had on his character, citizenship and presentation skills.

John Patterson, Assistant Teacher Coach of the Elk Grove High School Moot Court and Mock Trial teams, highlighted the need for support from law firms in the region.

Jake Rambo, who participated in the GDS Program as both a student and Attorney Coach, spoke of the important role this partnership plays in strengthening law education for youth.

The Honorable Art Scotland, Presiding Justice on the California Court of Appeal, 3rd Appellate District and CYC Board Member, helped the Center present the Youth Education & Community Outreach Award to the Honorable Morrison England, Jr. from United States District Court, Easter District of CA.

Glen Hanson, Cori Badgley and Leslie Walker, representing Abbott & Kindermann, were presented with the Center Partnership Award by The Honorable Art Scotland, Presiding Justice on the California Court of Appeal, 3rd Appellate District and CYC Board Member.

Amy Pierce of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP, was presented with the Center Partnership Award by The Honorable Michael Virga, Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento.

The Honorable William Shubb, United States District Court, Easter District of CA, presented Ginger Rutland, this year’s luncheon keynote speaker, and her mother, Eva Rutland, with the Community Citizenship Award for their efforts on behalf of justice, fairness and equity.

Joseph P. Maloney, CYC Executive Director; Ginger Rutland; and Dr. Steven Ladd, Elk Grove Unified School District Superintendent & CYC Board Member.

Eva Rutland, author of “When We Were Colored,” and Ginger Rutland, Editorial Page Writer for the Sacramento Bee and GDS Luncheon Keynote Speaker.

Copyright ©2003. Center for Youth Citizenship. All rights reserved.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 269003, Sacramento, CA 95826-9003
Physical Address: 10170 Missile Way, Mather, CA 95655
(916) 228-2322 . Fax (916) 228-2493 . cyc@scoe.net