Nine girls from George T. Wilkins Junior High took over the Justice Village Board meeting on April 14, stepping into the roles of mayor, trustees, clerk and attorney for a night.
The seventh- and eighth-grade students spoke and voted on official village business as part of a civics learning experience organized by social studies teachers Marta Dobrzynski, Rebecca Johnson and Theresa Poulsen.
“It’s not a project, but it is something to help the students see what the town does,” Dobrzynski, of Justice, said. “We learn about civics. We learn about involvement in the government. This was a nice opportunity for them to see what happens when a town makes decisions.”
The students were selected based on interest and availability, Dobrzynski said. The fact that all nine participants were girls was coincidental.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz said the event also boosted attendance — a rare sight at typically quiet meetings. This time, nearly every seat was filled with parents, teachers and friends.
During the meeting, the student-led board approved several items:
A lateral transfer of Anthony Sottosanto from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s police to the Justice Police Department.
A business license for Justice Laundry Services Inc., reopening a long-closed laundromat at 8523 S. Cork Ave. There is a new owner.
A new business license for Luminous Serenity Massage at 9050 W. 81st St.
A $600 sponsorship of two holes at the Southwest Conference of Mayors’ 2025 Golf Outing at Cog Hill on June 18.
Sofia Bernardoni, of Justice, who played the role of mayor, said she enjoyed the experience.
“I learned what it’s like in the government,” she said. “It was a fun experience.”
Other students who sat in included: Lilyan Kurina, Gabriela Trela, Maya Turza, Shawntre Jones, Nayla Herrera, Aleksandra Drabik, Oliwia Sojka and Daniela Gaytan.