Local student receives Youth Court award

Josh Hartman recently received the Youth Court Leadership Award from the Palmer Elks.

Hartman was chosen for Palmer Elks Youth Court Leadership Award because of his leadership qualities and his participation in the Mat-Su Youth Court. He is an active member in the program doing such things as training and mentoring new students and speaking publicly to various valley groups about youth court. Most of all, Hartman assists his peers when they are faced with a first-time misdemeanor offense. It’s not easy to be a leader in a peer-led program. Hartman is courageous as he is not afraid to hold his peers accountable for their actions, yet he maintains their respect. Hartman is outstanding in the defense attorney role as he is comfortable speaking to his peers about the issue at hand, and stand up for them in the court hearings. Hartman is a great example of a youth court member. He doesn’t necessarily want to become a lawyer, but is interested in helping his peers and learning about the law. MSYC is happy to have Hartman as a volunteer in the Mat-Su Youth Court.