GOSHEN – Orange County Court Judge Craig Brown welcomed students from Junior Leadership Orange (JLO) into his courtroom this week.

The group of eighth-grade students observed criminal proceedings and had lunch in the courtroom, discussing what they observed, as well as career opportunities in the court system. Orange County Court Judge Hyun Chin Kim, Sheriff Paul Arteta and Undersheriff Will Garcia also attended the event.

“It was my pleasure to play a small role in helping our young leaders enhance their leadership skills and provide them with information about potential career paths in our court system,” Brown said. “Every year, I look forward to hosting JLO in my court because it is such a great program.”

JLO is a collaboration between the Orange County Youth Bureau and Leadership Orange for eighth-grade students who attend school in Orange County. Students are identified as up-and-coming youth leaders in the seventh grade and formal training begins in the eighth grade. The youth empowerment program is designed to provide leadership skills, life skills, career exposure, and preparedness to youth who will potentially become the business and community leaders of the future.

It serves up to thirty-eight youth from sixteen different school districts in Orange County and operates during the academic school year. JLO is sponsored by contributions made by area businesses, organizations, and individuals.