Thomas Sutherland, who was held hostage by terrorists in Lebanon from 1985 to 1991, will be the keynote speaker. Sutherland is professor emeritus of animal sciences at Colorado State University. He was dean of the School of Agriculture at American University in Beirut when he was taken captive. The program will recognize the school's outstanding teacher, Cindy Somers, and its outstanding student, Lisa Serpa. Entering its fifth year, the Teen Court offers first-time youth offenders the opportunity to be sentenced by a jury of their peers.
Teens receive training to volunteer as prosecutors, defense attorneys and jurists.
The judge is an adult volunteer.