Past Outreach Programs
125th Anniversary Civic Outreach Program
During January and February of 2025, the Western District of New York’s 125th Anniversary Civic Outreach Program brought more than 100 volunteer attorneys into 18 public and charter high schools throughout the District to teach a curriculum centered on West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943), an opinion authored by Justice Robert H. Jackson, a native of the District. More than 1,000 students participated in the Outreach Program.
Students who participated in the Outreach Program were eligible to compete in the Court’s 125th Anniversary Essay Contest, which asked students to apply Barnette and its analysis of the First Amendment protection against compelled speech to school policies. The Outreach Program culminated on April 9, 2025, at the Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse, where the Essay Contest finalists participated in the 125th Anniversary Mock Argument Competition. Participants argued the positions they took in their essays and addressed questions from a three-judge panel comprised of Chief District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, District Judge Meredith A. Vacca, and Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen.
125th Anniversary Essay Contest
125th Anniversary Mock Argument Competition
Future Outreach Programs
The Supreme Court and My Hometown (Fall of 2026)
The District is excited to be partnering with the Supreme Court Historical Society to host The Supreme Court and My Hometown Program ("Hometowns Program") in the fall of 2026. The Hometowns Program is an immersive, in person program that unites the court, bar, and community to foster civic education in 10th through 12th grade high school students.
For more information about the Hometowns Program, please visit the Supreme Court Historical Society's website. Additional details about the District's program, including registration information, coming soon.
Volunteer
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Hometowns Program or other future outreach programs should email the Court at civics@wdny.uscourts.gov