Four Midland high school graduates have been awarded a combined $15,000 in scholarships from Midland Teen Court, Inc.
The Teen Court scholarships are funded by donations from individuals, corporations, grants and foundations, and are awarded to selected graduating volunteers.
The Honorable John G. Hyde Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Joshua Taylor of Lee High School.
Karla Fernandez of Lee High School, Melissa Weaver of Midland Classical and Ashlin Cook of Midland Christian each received the J. Robert Jones Charitable Trust Scholarship.
"Midland Teen Court’s mission is to provide an alternative system of justice and to promote accountability and community engagement," Teresa A. Moore, executive director, said according to NewsWest 9. "These four young adults exemplify that mission."
Teen Court is a hands-on system that allows both teen offenders and volunteers to better understand the justice system. Youth directed to Teen Court appear before a jury of their peers - both student volunteers and other offenders serving as part of their sentence. Evidence shows that teens stay out of trouble following a Teen Court appearance.
Volunteers serve as jurors and can train to serve as prosecuting or defending attorneys.