(ANNAPOLIS, Md. – November 17, 2015) On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, young people from juvenile facilities throughout the state will assemble at the Maryland Court of Appeals to participate in the 21st annual Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Oratorical Contest.  The courtroom will be filled with young contestants, all of whom have won oratorical competitions held in Maryland’s DJS facilities.

The Court of Appeals is hosting the event, which is co-sponsored by DJS and the Maryland State Department of Education.  Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene, Jr., will preside.  Media representatives are invited to attend.

The youths’ three- to five-minute speeches are based on the poem, “The Victor,” by C.W. Longenecker, which includes the lines: “Success begins with a fellow's will.  It's all in the state of the mind.  If you think you are outclassed, you are.  You've got to think high to rise.”

“This is my third year in a row participating in this program,” said Judge Greene.  “This is a wonderful chance for these young people, who have gotten to know the justice system in unfortunate and unenviable ways, to interact with the courts in a positive way and to have their voices heard at the highest level.”

Please contact the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488, for more information.  See the notice from DJS below regarding confidentiality and privacy.

(Highlights from a past contest – two-minute video)

WHAT:
Maryland Judiciary hosts the 21st Annual Department of Juvenile Services and Maryland State Department of Education Oratorical Contest

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 18, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Maryland Court of Appeals, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, MD 21401

WHO:
Maryland Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene, Jr., hosting students from Maryland’s DJS facilities

MEDIA CONTACT:
Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488. Please read the following notice from DJS regarding privacy and confidentiality.

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A Notice from the Department of Juvenile Services:
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY:
Maryland law and policies require that the Department of Juvenile Services maintain the privacy and confidentiality of those youth referred to the Department, including those committed to their care and subsequently placed at private facilities. This requirement cannot be waived by the Department without an explicit order from the courts or a written, signed consent of a youth and the youth’s parents.

Without waivers or consents, the media is requested to observe the following restrictions with regard to any youth:

Youths may be interviewed but may not be identified by:

1. Identifiable descriptions of the youth, his/her name, address, or offense; or
2. Photographing or filming which might reveal the identity of the youth.

For clarification of these requirements, please contact the DJS Public Information Officer at 410-230-3164.

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