Teen Court of Sarasota honors largest group of scholarship recipients

Teen Court of Sarasota offers an alternative to a traditional trial, in which those ages 8 to 18 with a misdemeanor or low-level, nonviolent felony charge, can undergo a trial conducted by their peers.

However, an important part of that mission is the teen volunteers who serve in roles not limited to judges and jurors.

The organization honored its largest group of scholarship recipients at its 2025 Teen Court Living Legends Scholarship Awards Dinner, held March 5 at Michael's on East.

"They do so much for our program. They are the heartbeat of our program," said CEO Heather Todd. "The fact that you all showed up tonight for them, it's no surprise to me, but this is amazing... and I cannot thank you enough." 

She stated turnout at the event totaled 266.

According to board chair Megan Leaf, the organization has awarded $280,000 in scholarships since 1996.

Shen Miller, a high school senior, said Teen Court was an opportunity to build skills that included public speaking, understanding the court process and listening for the opposing side of an argument.

Miller received the Lynne Strong Award, which recognized exceptional service to the organization, and plans to attend USF for its Global Business and Business Honors programs, before attending law school and practicing international law abroad.

"Thank you all for your generosity in helping fund such an amazing program," Miller said. "Thank you to Teen Court for the amazing experience and knowledge given to me, and finally, thank you to my peers here and the people who work at Teen Court to make it all happen."

High school senior Shailee August received the Monice Neligon award for her "unwavering belief in the power of a second chance." She is pursuing a double major in neuroscience and molecular physics with a minor in criminal justice. 

"It's just such an honor," August told the Observer. "I've seen people grow and redeem themselves and constantly shift and morph into better people throughout all these four years, and it's so nice to feel honored in this way, and I hope that everyone else who went through the Teen Court program feels just as honored as I do right now, too, because everyone really deserves it... and I hope that if anyone hasn't had the opportunity to experience a Teen Court session or meet the people here, that they will soon, because it's such an amazing program."

The dinner highlighted the contributions of individuals in the community, including Debbie Gigliotti and former senator and former Supervisor of Elections for Manatee County, Mike Bennett. 

Devin Epps of Teen Court said Gigliotti established Teen Court programs across the country and Bennett supported the program from inception, including its work at the state level.

Attending the ceremony were numerous officials including Chief Rex Troche of the Sarasota Police Department, Chief Jacob Ruiz of the Sarasota County Schools Police Department, school board members Tom Edwards, Robyn Marinelli and Liz Barker, 12th Judicial Circuit Court judges Hunter Carroll, Andrea McHugh, Kevin Bruning, Ryan Felix Shannon Hankin and Kennedy Legler, and former judge Paul Logan.