- November 18, 2024
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Marian Irvin has a vault of success stories, best-“case” scenarios from her 20 years spent running teen court in Flagler County. There’s the young man — a former volunteer who recently earned his jurisprudence and is now a practicing attorney.
But Irvin doesn’t need to see a law degree to know she’s made a positive impact.
“When I see the others go on,” she said, “they’ve secured a life for themselves and bring their children into me and say, ‘this is grandma.’ That’s a great feeling.”
Tuesday, the school board recognized that impact, honoring Irvin with a Power of One Award, meant for individuals who’ve made a profound singular impact in the community. Chairman Andy Dance and Superintendent Jacob Oliva presented her with a trophy, and others spoke about her accomplishments.
“A lot of us work nine to five, close the doors and go home,” said Cheryl Messaro, Director of the Flagler County Youth Center. “Not this lady. This lady works throughout the night, nights, weekends, and holidays, and she takes her job very seriously. Her job really begins when she closes the doors, and she works with every youth that has come through and their families.”
According to Flagler County’s website, “teen court programs were established to prevent and reduce the occurrence of juvenile delinquent activity. Teen courts are judicial diversion programs that use positive peer pressure and other appropriate sanctions to show the youthful offender the consequences of violating the law and the positive side of behaving in a more constructive manner.”
Irvin and her volunteers, in other words, intervene in real, otherwise criminal cases. Additionally, the children take part in competitive mock courts. At a recent competition, Flagler County took home Best Prosecutorial Team and Best Defense Team, among other honors.
“When you make that impact with one student, it ripples with their families, the community, and ultimately with their future,” board member Colleen Conklin said. “The ripples will continue and will outlive you and I.”
In Dec. 1994, Irvin was juggling a full-time job with running a homework assistance program for the housing authority. The clerk at the time, Sid Crosby, heard about teen court and knew she’d be the perfect fit. It wasn’t easy; on top of her duties, she was a single mom, often “at wit’s end.” But whenever she neared a breaking point, Irvin recalled the words of her mother, Lorene.
“For anybody to recognized for something that you love doing, it’s humbling,” she said. “For me, I reflected back on my mother and the different ways that she raised me. Before her illness took her mind, she used to say to me, ‘If you don’t do it, who will?’
