At Tuesday’s Clarkstown Town Board meeting, 18 teens graduated from the Clarkstown Youth Court.

“We’re recognizing them for their wonderful civic-mindedness,” said Eileen Malloy, a detective with the Clarkstown Police Department and director of the Youth Court program. “These are teens that show up every week ready to learn and now they’re showing up and working in the court. They have volunteered their time because they want to make this town a better place to live and I think that’s one of the most admirable things we can give.”

In the program, Clarkstown residents ages 13-16 act as a court of peers for juveniles, trying, judging, defending and convicting or exonerating them. While adults are available for advice, ultimately the decisions are made by the teens.

This was the 43rd class to graduate from Youth Court, which started in 1981 and has seen more than 540 members graduate through the program since then.

“I’m especially proud of these young people because they do serve a really great purpose in this town,” said Councilwoman Shirley Lasker, who is the Town Board liaison to the Youth Court. “They make a difference every day in the lives of other young people because we know for a fact that this program works.”

Amaya Jhaver, 15, and Amar Jhaver, 14, of Bardonia, said they heard about it from a family friend and decided to sign up because it sounded interesting. Amaya Jhaver said she’s interested in law and might want to be a lawyer.

“We went through the different positions in a trial,” Amaya Jhaver said. “It was a good experience. We got to observe a trial, which was interesting.”

She added they learned about giving people second chances and confidentiality as well.

Malloy praised the Town Board and police department for their support of the program. The meeting room was packed with parents, as well, and Malloy thanked them too.

“To the parents that have instilled in these young people this desire to help others, I really applaud you and thank you for sharing these wonderful people with me,” she said. “They are perfect examples of what’s right with the youth of today.”

February 7, 2012 Youth Court Graduates

• Matthew Bunyan
• Emily Catsaros
• Jake Goldberg
• Amar Jhaver
• Amaya Jhaver
• Andrew Kang
• Melissa Levine
• Jordan Mandel
• Garrick Meyers
• Rebecca Mosner
• Jenny Nutovits
• Ethan Richter
• Colette Ruden
• Majaella Ruden
• Emily Salesky
• Jack Staub
• James Tlsty
• Samantha Weiss