Local Students Named ‘Ambassadors for Justice’ - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

In a ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in Charleston Monday, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin honored 40 high school juniors for their selection as recipients of the "U.S. Ambassador for Justice Award."

The award, which was created by U.S. Attorney Goodwin, recognizes high school juniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to social justice. According to a press release from Goodwin's office, the program was inspired by numerous reports of bullying across the 23-county southern federal judicial district. It was also prompted by a school shooting in Chardon, OH, which left three people dead and two others wounded.

"These are students with a good ethical compass who would be willing to step forward and do something if one of their peers was making a self-destructive decision or bullying someone else," said Goodwin. "I am confident that they will take an active role in building and sustaining a dialogue.'

"Their ideas and perspectives are invaluable toward rooting out current social issues and threats that jeopardize student achievement."

Students were nominated for the award by their school principals and administrative leaders. Outstanding character, devotion to citizenship and a commitment to serving others were also fundamental for award nomination.

Goodwin says that his office is deeply concerned with solving social issues that affect young people, stating that studies have shown that more than 60% of students who are bullies will end up serving jail time by they reach their 20s.

"This isn't just an award and a title," said Goodwin. "My hope is that this will be the start of a mission for me, my office, our schools, our communities and for each of these Ambassadors for Justice so that together we can exert positive influences in our schools and communities."

A list of students from the 59 News viewing area who were recognized Monday follows:

Fayette County

• Catlin Brouillard -Valley High School

Greenbrier County

• Isaac Gutshall - Greenbrier West High School

McDowell County

• Shamecca Perkins – Mount View High School
• Zachary Shelton –River View High School

Mercer County

• Brandon Hicks – Princeton Sr. High School
• Douglas Miller – Bluefield High School
• Katelyn Poff –Montcalm High School
• Jacob Ramthun –Pikeview High School

Monroe County

• Emily McKinney –James Monroe High School

Raleigh County

• Alexis DeMoss -Shady Spring High School
• Allison Hatcher – Liberty High School
• Christopher Nelson – Independence High School

Summers County

• James Weiss – Summers County High School

The full list of students honored in Monday's ceremony can be viewed at the following url: http://www.justice.gov/usao/wvs/press_releases/April2012/attachments/042312Ambassadors_for_Justice.html.