March 14, 2017

Media Contacts:
Erin Tofte-Nordvik, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, 509.682.6868
Bill Eagle, director of state and federal programs for Wenatchee Public Schools, 509.662.9634 ext. 33315
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

The fifth Diversity Justice Day for Youth (DJD4Y) will be held at Wenatchee Valley College on Tuesday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Smith Gym, Van Tassell Center and Wenatchi Hall. The keynote speaker is Luis Perez, Chelan County Juvenile Probation Counselor.

The goal of the event is to increase the number of local minority students seeking a career in the law and justice system. This year, over 300 students from Wenatchee High School, WestSide High School, Quincy High School, Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, Eastmont GearUp, SkillSource and other regional districts are expected to attend the event.

One high school student will be awarded a scholarship to pursue a career in the justice field at WVC. Students may request an application from their high school GearUp counselors or Erin Tofte-Nordvik, WVC Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 509.682.6868 or etofte@wvc.edu. The application is due by March 22.

DJD4Y began at the Wenatchee Community Center on President’s Day 2007. Almost 100 minority high school students attended and met in small groups with local justice system representatives, including law enforcement officers, lawyers, judges, court reporters, correction officers, DOC officers, juvenile and District Court probation officers, legal secretaries, court clerks and interpreters. The students also participated in a mock trial and heard from keynote speaker Lorena Gonzalez, then-president of the Washington State Latino Bar Association.

The last four DJD4Y events have been held at WVC. Over 200 students met with and heard presentations from various justice system professionals at each event.

The event is sponsored by Wenatchee Valley College, Chelan County Superior Court, Wenatchee High School, Eastmont High School, Wenatchee Learns Connect, Wenatchee Public Schools, Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, the GearUp programs, Together for Youth, G&G’s Trucking LLC, Wenatchee City Diversity Advisory Council and Washington State Minority and Justice Commission.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, www.wvc.edu.