Girls Inc. feted during Law Day

LYNN – Recognized for their diligent and tireless commitment to girls ages 6-18 within the community Girls Inc. accepted the Lynn Juvenile Court Law Day Award on Friday, presented by Associate Justice Amy L. Nechtem.Program directors and the board president of Girls Inc. were present to support executive director Patricia Driscoll as she accepted the award.Essay contest winners included Itohan Edosomwan of Lynn English and Aimee Nunez of St. Mary’s. The art contest winner was Danielle Hayes.”Every year we present a Law Day award to an exceptional member of our community for work that they perform in the betterment of children and families of Essex county,” Nechtem said. “Girls Inc. is a vital entity serving the youth and families (as well as the Greater Lynn area) building a stronger, accomplished and responsible individual resulting in a stronger responsible citizenry.”Driscoll said everyone at Girls Inc. is thrilled with the award.”It’s very exciting,” Driscoll said. “It really is a joint effort between staff, volunteers and of course the girls themselves and their families. We have been so fortunate for almost a year to really have higher visibility. Since June of 2009, with our magnificent new facility, we have been able to take advantage of that and get more people involved.”Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy opened the ceremonies by signing a Law Day proclamation. The Honorable Michael F. Edgerton, Juvenile Court chief justice, spoke about the history and importance of Law Day, which was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to commemorate the great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law of the United States.”Why do we observe Law Day? We honor and show appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy and to affirm respect for our laws,” Edgerton said. “It is very important we as citizens become involved in the making of laws and that we become actively involved by serving on juries and cooperate with law enforcement.”The theme of the day was “Law in the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges” which asked students to examine the dramatic changes in law and how to adapt to new conditions in a global era, including issues such as human rights, criminal justice, intellectual property and environmental regulations.Edgerton spoke of how business and profit have accounted for the large expansion of the profession “while minimizing the good work for those who cannot represent themselves,” suggesting those considering law go into public service.Students who participated in the annual essay contest, which focused on the day’s theme, from Lynn English, St. Mary’s and annual art contest participants of Fecteau-Leary School, were led on a tour of the court by Jay Fraher.