The CBA Civics Education Committee held its annual Law Day Celebration at the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 2. Law Day is a national celebration held annually to celebrate the role of law in our society and to help encourage a deeper understanding of the legal profession. The theme that the American Bar Association chose for this year’s Law Day was “Voices of Democracy.”
Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr. of the Connecticut Appellate Court opened this year’s event, welcomed guests to the Law Day celebration, and thanked those who had organized the event’s activities. CBA President Maggie Castinado provided an introduction for this year’s event to the attendees. “Democracy thrives on inclusivity and the free exchange of ideas, reminding us that every citizen, no matter how old or how young, has a role to play in the government of our society,” stated President Castinado, reflecting on this year’s Law Day theme.
 |
CBA President Maggie Castinado provided opening remarks at the 2024 Law Day event.
|
Retired Superior Court Judge John Boland introduced the student program portion of the event, which consisted of three presentations from groups of students from Hartford’s Classical Magnet School. The students presented different arguments to the appellate court judges regarding American’s right to vote and different ways the right should be expanded and protected. The students that participated in this year’s activity included:
|
Thomas Ahima
Godwin Akoumani
Rashid Appah
Gabriella Bois
Jada Bradley
|
Uzoma Chukwurah
Sade Encarnacion
Adrianna Jimenez
Iryna Vasylkiv
Olivia Yotte
|
 |
|
Students from Hartford Classical Magnet School participated in facilitated discussions before members of the Connecticut Appellate Court, including Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr.; Hon. Robert W. Clark; Hon. Ingrid L. Moll; and Hon. José A. Suarez.
|
Following the student program, this year’s Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Awards were presented to four Connecticut High School students by Anna Monaco, the daughter of past CBA President Ralph J. Monaco, who the award was posthumously named after. During her remarks she stated, “Through this scholarship I hope that my father’s legacy can continue to inspire young adults to pursue a career in law.”
This year’s winners of the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Awards were Mario Cavone of Wilton High School, Uzoma Chukwarah of Hartford’s Classical Magnet School, Danielle Kanter of Fairfield Ludlowe High School, and Emmerson Kaye of Lyme-Old Lyme High School. The awards were provided to these students based on their demonstration of a significant commitment to advancing civics engagement, civics education, and/or the rule of law. Along with the award, the four students each received a $1,000 grant.
 |
(From Left to Right) Jonathan Weiner; CBA President Maggie Castinado; Dina Monaco; 2024 Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education Award recipients Uzoma Chukwarah, Danielle Kanter, Emmerson Kaye, and Mario Cavone; Daniel A. Schwartz (back); Lawrence Morizio (front); and John R. Weikart
|
At the end of the event, the students walked up to the state capitol were they enjoyed lunch while hearing from Special Associate Attorney General and Chief of the Division of Consumer and Constituent Affairs Sandra Arenas, who explained the duties of The Office of the Attorney General to the students.
Thank you to all those who participated in this year’s Law Day celebration and congratulations to the winners of this year’s Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education Awards!