INDIANA — In a statewide effort to celebrate Constitution Day, 61 judicial officers are scheduled to meet with nearly 4,500 students and civic group members throughout September.
This annual program, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, brings judges out of their courtrooms and into their local communities.
Lawrence County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Nikirk will visit Bedford Middle School, and Magistrate Anah Hewetson Gouty will speak to students at Mitchell Junior High School and St. Vincent de Paul School.
The initiative aims to educate the public, especially young people, on the importance of the Constitution and the role of the judiciary. Judges from across Indiana are participating, with many visiting multiple schools and community groups.
Participating Judges and Locations
Adams County
- Judge Chad Kukelhan at Bellmont and Adams Central elementary schools
Clinton County
- Chief Justice Loretta Rush (Tippecanoe County) at Clinton Prairie Junior/Senior High School
Dearborn County
- Judge Jonathan Cleary at Lawrenceburg High School
- Judge F. Aaron Negangard at Greendale Middle School
- Court of Appeals Judge Leanna Weissmann at St. John Lutheran School
Delaware County
- Judge Judi Calhoun at Exchange Club
Dubois County
- Judge Nathan Verkamp at Southridge Elementary
Elkhart County
- Judge Elizabeth Bellin and Judge Teresa Cataldo at Wakarusa Elementary
- Judge Andrew Hicks at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
- Judge Kristine Osterday at Northridge High School
Floyd County
- Judge Lisa Reger (Clark County) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Greenville Elementary
Hamilton County
- Commissioner Christopher Barrows and Judge Andrew Bloch at Westfield Washington Middle School
- Judge Alicia Gooden (Marion County) at Fishers High School
- Judge David Najjar at Geist Montessori Academy
- Magistrate Sarah Shields at Geist Elementary School and LeafSpring School at Geist
Hancock County
- Judge Helen Marchal (Marion County) at Mount Vernon High School
- Judge R. Scott Sirk at Mount Vernon High School and New Palestine High School
Hendricks County
- Magistrate Joshua Adair at Bethesda Christian School
- Judge Kathryn Kuehn at Plainfield High School
- Judge Dan Zielinski at Danville High School
Jennings County
- Judge Ellie Bright at Brush Creek, Graham Creek, Hayden, Sand Creek, and Scipio elementary schools
Lake County
- Judge Rehana Adat-Lopez at Kolling Elementary and Gary Lighthouse College Prep & Upper Campus
- Magistrate Lisa Berdine at Edison Elementary
- Judge Julie Cantrell at Solon Robinson Elementary
- Judge Aleksandra Dimitrijevic and Magistrate David Urbanski at Eads, Elliot, Frank H. Hammond, and Highland elementary schools; Wilbur Wright Middle School; and Munster High School
- Judge Kristina Kantar at Area Career Center
- Magistrate Ana Patricia Osan (Porter County) at Bibich Elementary School
- Judge John Sedia at Scott Middle School
Marion County
- Magistrate Polly Beeson, Judge Angela Davis, Judge Geoffrey Gaither, and Judge Patricia McMath at Allisonville Elementary School
- Magistrate Polly Beeson at Greenbriar Elementary School
- Judge Rich Blaiklock and Judge Jonathan Sturgill at Arsenal Technical High School
- Judge Amber Collins-Gebrehiwet and Judge Clayton Graham at Pike High School
- Magistrate Stefanie Crawford at Eastbrook Elementary School and Beech Grove High School
- Judge Kurt Eisgruber at Bishop Chatard
- Magistrate Therese Hannah at St. Michael and George Washington High School
- Judge John Kitley at Nativity Catholic School
- Judge Tara Melton at Lawrence Central High School
- Judge Marc Rothenberg at Hasten Hebrew Academy
- Magistrate Michelle Waymire with Boy Scout Troop 120
Marshall County
- Judge Matthew Sarber at Plymouth High School
Miami County
- Judge Jacob Winkler at Maconaquah Middle School
Monroe County
- Judge Emily Salzmann at Summit Elementary School
Owen County
- Judge Kelsey Hanlon at Owen Valley Middle School
Porter County
- Judge Rebecca Buitendorp at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
- Magistrate Kristen Mulligan at Cooks Corners Elementary School
- Magistrate Ana Patricia Osan at Jackson Elementary School
Putnam County
- Judge Matthew Headley at Bainbridge Elementary
St. Joseph County
- Magistrate Matthew Raper at Discovery Middle School
- Judge Stephanie Steele at Horizon Elementary School
Tippecanoe County
- Judge Sean Persin at McCutcheon High School
Vermillion County
- Judge Chris Wrede at North Vermillion Elementary
Washington County
- Judge Larry Medlock at Washington County High School
Wayne County
- Commissioner Austin Shadle at Centerville Jr. High School
