Students from schools around the country, at various points during the school year, either visited the Court of Appeal or had a member of the judiciary visit their schools to speak to them and educate them as to what happens at court in an effort to impact the youth and deter them from having to appear before the court in the future, barring those who become practicing attorneys.
"We wanted to really speak to them and reach the youth, and encourage them positively and deter them from a life of crime, really," said Sharada Ferguson, acting registrar at the Court of Appeal.
Court of Appeal President Justice Anita Allen and K. Neville Adderley, a justice of appeal, spoke to students in primary and secondary grades from the various schools during the different visits, including visiting juveniles on remand at the prison.
They spoke to students from a layman's perspective; a common topic was their rising from humble beginnings to accomplish what they did. They reminded students that they can do anything they aspire to and encouraged them to believe in the beauty of their dreams.
The visits and talks are a part of the Court of Appeal's educational program. The judiciary usually visit the older students at their schools to talk about what is done at the court and the constitution. Younger children are invited to come to the courts, because they find they are more interested in viewing the courtroom and seeing the judge in his or her wig and gown.
Ferguson said she has found the educational program to be impactful and that Allen is passionate about the youth and the court's emphasis on reaching out to the students.

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