2017 Fall Election

At the October 10 AYC Bar Association meeting there will be an election for one position on the Ethics Board.  Below are the letters of intent from members running for the position.

Molly Estes
If I get the vacant spot on the Ethics Board I will arrange my schedule so I can make all of the meetings and can take more cases in, as well as go to any trainings necessary.  In reading about the Ethics Board Position I fully understand I need to be able to attend all meetings and help establish procedures for proceedings and also be available to serve on panels for hearings concerning ethic violations.  I feel like I qualify for this position because I have served as the Chief Clerk and taken in several cases and have also attended several trainings.  I want to hold this position to help me better my relationship amongst my fellow attorney’s, but to also allow for better leadership in Youth Court.  This organization will benefit from my commitment to serve not just because I am a consistent volunteer, but also because the passion I have for our organization as a whole is evident in my performance in the program.

Racheal Shaw-Rosenbaum
My name is Rachael Shaw-Rosenbaum and I am a fifteen-year-old sophomore at West High School. Some of my hobbies other than Anchorage Youth Court (AYC) include Anchorage Youth Symphony, Gender Sexuality Alliance, and Drama Debate Forensics. Out of all the groups I participate in, Anchorage Youth Court has been by far the most beneficial to the community, which is why I would like to become a member of its Ethics Board.

I understand that a position on the Ethics Board entails certain duties and responsibilities which I must perform as a member. These include: attending meetings, establishing procedures for proceedings and serving on panels that conduct hearings concerning alleged ethics violations. As a member of the Ethics Board, I will strive to fulfill these requirements and to be an impartial, honest, and trustworthy participant in Ethics Board proceedings.
I feel that I am a highly qualified individual for this position given my previous experience on the Board of Directors and my four years of service in the Anchorage Youth Court. I have also earned the “Golden Gavel Award” for the highest score on the bar exam in my graduating class, attended the 2015, 2016, and 2017 United Youth Courts Conferences, and served as a clerk, bailiff, attorney, and judge within the Anchorage Youth Court. My extensive experience in Anchorage Youth Court has given me knowledge and understanding of the ethics rules of AYC, which would be invaluable to a person serving on the Ethics Board.

I believe that Anchorage Youth Court will benefit from my election to the Ethics Board because I aim to be an impartial and honorable member of the board. My actions will not be motivated by my personal interests, but by the desire for just, reasonable resolutions to conflicts. By being fair and unbiased, I will be supporting the interests of justice, thus serving the people by ensuring that all AYC members are upheld to the highest standard of morality.

Should I be elected to the Ethics Board, I will arrange my schedule to ensure that I can consistently participate in and contribute to Ethics Board meetings and hearings. Since I have a flexible schedule with regards to my after school activities, I will most likely be available for any Ethics Board meetings that may take place after school hours.
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If elected, I will be a valuable member of the Ethics Board. I will do my very best to fulfill and exceed the requirements of this position and to fairly and honestly serve as a part of this essential branch of AYC. I look forward to this new challenge as a judge of my peers, and hope that my participation in the Ethics Board positively impacts the Anchorage Youth Court community.

Blake F. Stieren
This letter indicates my intention to run for the Anchorage Youth Court Ethics Board position.
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My name is Blake Stieren, I am seventeen years old and a senior at Robert Service High School.  Please accept this letter as my formal intention to run for the open position on the Anchorage Youth Court’s Ethics Board. I acknowledge that I am aware of the duties and time commitment required for both the position.
 
As an elected officer, you have my unwavering commitment that I will be accountable for the time and scheduled requirements of this position. I have my own reliable transportation. I do not have employment or athletic activity obligations that would be a barrier to me attending AYC Ethics Board meetings, hearings, and impromptu matters requiring my attention.
 
It is my understanding that the duties required of me, include but are not limited to ensuring that all AYC members act ethically and conduct hearings concerning alleged unethical behavior. As an Ethics Board Member, I will attend required meetings, help to establish procedures for proceedings and serve on panels that conduct hearings concerning alleged ethics violations.
 
I have been a member of AYC since passing the Youth Court Bar Exam with high marks in the 7th grade, and I greatly value the organization’s mission and contribution it makes to our community in alleviating the burden to our juvenile court system. My experience in student government, employment with a US Senator, over three years in the Seminar Program at Service High, and Debate Team, and 10 years of progressive leadership in football have afforded me the experience and tools in critical and analytical thinking and personal accountability that would be of value to serving in this position.    
 
I want to hold this elected position on the Ethics Board because I can confidently bring the values of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. These characteristics are critical to a position such as this and they best describe who I am and have been exemplified in the classroom, on the football team, and in the workplace. I am confident that if ask, my coaches, teachers, employers, and fellow students, would provides examples of how I have demonstrated these characteristics.
 
It would be my sincere privilege to hold this position on the AYC Ethics Board. I understand the commitment would be required of me and the responsibility that it carries.  As a senior, I look forward to giving back and serving my peers and my community before I embark on my new path in life. As a member of this board, I know that this role is ideal to help me achieve these goals. 

Claire Wilkerson
Dear AYC,
Thank you for considering me for a position on the Ethics Board.  I understand how important it is for all AYC members to conduct themselves ethically.  As an organization built on honesty and justice, AYC could not function if its members did not act ethically.  I believe it is extremely necessary for all unethical behavior at AYC to be addressed.
I was the president of the Winterberry Student Council for one year.  This gave me experience serving on a committee and attending meetings.  It also gave me experience solving problems and handling a group of people fairly as a leader.
My primary extracurricular activity right now is AYC.  My other extracurricular activity is Romig after-school sports. My coaches understand if I cannot make practice due to other activities.  I anticipate having a flexible schedule this school year.  My Ethics Board responsibilities would come before my other activities.
If I were elected to this position, I would bring my experience serving on a committee and my experience s as a leader.  I have been an AYC member for one year and would strongly like to become more involved.  The issue of ethical behavior is an important one to me.
Thank you.