Roslindale students learn from Judge Coffey on Law Day at West Roxbury District Court

West Roxbury Transcript

By Benjamin Buday

Tue Apr 21, 2009, 01:32 PM EDT

Young faces perked to attention as the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums marched into the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Courts on Friday as the band’s fanfare marked the beginning of the 11th annual “Law Day.”

The event was a time for students, teachers and politicians to reflect on the freedoms granted to our country by the U.S. Constitution. Students from Dorchester, Roslindale, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain filled the courtroom to hear from local politicians and a local sports hero about what it means to make good decisions in life.

Fifth- and sixth-graders from the following schools were present on Law Day: the Richard J. Murphy School from Dorchester; the Henry L Higginson School from Roxbury; Our Lady of Lourdes from Jamaica Plain; the Mozart School from Roslindale; and the Charles Sumner School from Roslindale. These schools participated in the “Straight Ahead” program that is designed to teach students to deal with peer pressure and anger management.

Students listened attentively as First Justice Kathleen E. Coffey discussed the important of making good choices.

“All of you and all of us, even as grownups, are faced with different challenges and different temptations,” Coffey told the students. “With every choice, there is a consequence. Drugs, alcohol and guns are only going to limit your future and limit your choices.”

Coffey then asked the students three questions to reflect on.

· “How many of you have lived your whole life in the city of Boston?”

· “How many of you believe that all children deserve a great school to go to?”

· “How many of you that our parks and streets should be safe so that all of you can play in a safe neighborhood?”

Without reservation or hesitation, each student raised an arm into the air.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino made an appearance, telling students their good decisions could take them as far as they want to go.

“I look at this group here today — there could be doctors, judges, a district attorney — maybe even a mayor or two out here,” Menino told the students. “But life’s all about choices — make the right choice and you have a great future. Make the wrong choice, and someone else makes the choices for you.”

Special guest speaker Manny Delcarmen of the Boston Red Sox once again delighted students as he spoke for the second Law Day in a row. Students edged forward in their seat to get a better look, hanging on each word Delcarmen spoke and was about to speak.

“You have teachers, judges and a lot of people who care about you guys. If you have dreams … it’s possible, with the right attitude, staying positive and taking advice from all these people who care about you,” the Red Sox relief hurler told students. “Life is about choices, and you’ve got to make the right ones.”

Students then listened with fingers crossed as the winners of the poster and essay contests were announced. First-, second- and third-place prizes were awarded, based on incorporating the Law Day’s theme of “Celebrating Our Freedom; Liberty and Justice for All.” Delcarmen presented medals to the winners and posed with him for photographs.

Natalie Rodriguez, a 12-year-old student at the Charles Sumner School, was the first-place recipient. She wrote about what she wanted to be and what laws she wanted to change, saying she wanted more laws to stop all wars and to prevent child abuse. Her friend, 11-year-old Sequoia Grubbes, was grateful for the experience, saying she got to meet politicians and people she’d never met before.

After the indoor procession, students were treated to lunch on the courthouse steps, as well as demonstrations from the Boston Police Mounted Unit, Boston EMS and the K-9 Unit.