The CBA Civics Education Committee held its annual Law Day celebration at the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 6. This year’s Law Day Celebration was the first held in-person since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. This year’s theme was “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.”
Chief Judge William H. Bright, Jr. of the Connecticut Appellate Court opened this year’s event and welcomed guests to the Law Day celebration. CBA President Daniel J. Horgan provided brief remarks commenting on the importance of civic engagement and understanding the mechanisms of our legal system.
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Students Ava Cunningham, Emilia Gardner, Julia Schroers, and Marcus Palumbo
present arguments before the Connecticut Appellate Court judges.
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Retired Superior Court Judge John Boland provided the introduction for the Law Day program. This year’s program consisted of a moot court appeal oral argument presented by four of Connecticut’s leading debate students: Ava Cunningham and Emilia Gardner of Deep River’s Valley Regional High School and Julia Schroers and Marcus Palumbo of West Hartford’s Westfield Academy. The two pairs of students presented their opposing arguments in front of Connecticut’s appellate court judges in a fictional case involving the issues of cyber bullying and how far students’ first amendment rights extend.
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2022 Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award Winners
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Ava Cunningham
Valley Regional High School
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James DeDenato
Xavier High School
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Mel Shkrepi
Thomaston High School
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This year’s Law Day event also included the inaugural presentation of the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award. CBA Past President Livia DeFelippis Barndollar and Ralph Monaco’s wife, Dina Monaco, began the presentation of the awards, speaking about CBA Past President Ralph J. Monaco’s commitment to civics education and Law Day. Civics Education Committee Chair Jonathan Weiner presented the award to three Connecticut high school students: Ava Cunningham of Valley Regional High School, James DeDenato of Xavier High School, and Mel Shkrepi of Thomaston High School. The award was provided to these students based on their demonstration of a significant commitment to advancing civic engagement, civics education, and/or the rule of law. Along with the award, the three students each received a $1,000 grant.
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CBA Civics Education Chair Jonathan Weiner presents
Secretary of State Denise Merrill with a plaque on behalf of the CBA
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At the end of the Law Day celebration, students walked to the state office building to have lunch and meet Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. Secretary Merrill was presented with a plaque by Jonathan Weiner on behalf of the CBA in recognition of her extraordinary friendship and leadership in promoting civics education and the rule of law as a member of the Civics Education Committee of the CBA. Judge Matthew Dallas Gordon also presented Secretary Merrill with an official proclamation from Governor Ned Lamont, acknowledging her many achievements in the roles of state representative, house majority leader, and secretary of the state.
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Hon. Matthew Dallas Gordon presents Secretary of State Denise Merrill
with an official proclamation on behalf of Governor Ned Lamont
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We thank all those who participated in this year’s Law Day celebration and congratulate the winners of the first Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education Awards!