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Brooklyn student wins Judicial Essay Contest

May 18, 2016 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Essay contest winner Benjamin Vializ from Star Academy High School in Brooklyn poses with Justice Michael J. Garcia (left) and Justice Robert Miller (right).
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Appellate Division Justice Robert J. Miller held a ceremony for the 10 finalists of the annual Independence of the Judiciary High School Essay Contest at the New York City Bar Association in Manhattan on Tuesday.

“The topic this year is, ‘Miranda: More than Words,’” said Justice Michael J. Garcia. “To see high school students go out and to write about that incredibly important topic in the history of our law is really something that gives me a lift and a sense of optimism. All of them have demonstrated that same spirit of service, of participation, that makes my career so rewarding. I’m honored to be here today to recognize their achievements.”

The contest, which is co-sponsored by the New York City Bar, the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and the New York Law Journal, received more than 80 entries from all over the city. Justice Miller and his team narrowed it down to 10 finalists and picked one winner from that groups — Benjamin Vializ of S.T.A.R. Early College School at Erasmus in Brooklyn.

“We had to narrow it down to 10 and it was very hard to pick a winner,” said Miller. “We had about 15 to 20 really quality essays. Part of the reason we got so many this year is that everyone knows the Miranda warnings from TV. Half of the essays quoted ‘Law and Order.’”

All 10 finalists won a $100 gift card and were invited to intern with a New York State Supreme Court judge for a week this summer. Vializ will also have his essay published in the New York Law Journal.

The other nine finalists included Harmukh Singh from Francis Lewis High School, Jonathan Sun from Townsend Harris, Kelly Wong from Midwood, Giavanna D’Esposito from New Dorp, Esther Couch from Stuyvesant, Shaquille Profitt from Bryant, Jahamoy Mills from Hillcrest, Chahat Longia from Madison and Octavia Diaz from Flushing.

“It is an honor and pleasure to run this contest every year,” Miller said. “Let me underscore that without the teachers, our contest wouldn’t be possible; and without the teachers, our entire system wouldn’t work. Teachers don’t get enough credit for what they do.”

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