Judge Foradora visits class at SMAHS

The Honorable Judge John H. Foradora, president judge of the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, recently made a visit to the intro to criminal justice/law education class taught by Chris Dworek at St. Marys Area High School.

“We’ve had nine different guest speakers this and last semester,” Dworek explained. “Each speaker talks about their area of expertise, which is a category that we cover in the class. Judge Foradora’s subject dealt with the area of law education, the court system, and about becoming a lawyer. He described the many different types of law and the lawyers that are associated with it.”

Foradora obtained his B.A. from Juniata College and his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law

School. He has served as the president judge of the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas since 2002.

“He talked about the process he went through to become a lawyer and his beginnings in Ridgway,” Dworek said. “He talked about the process and the importance of being selected for jury duty. He then explained how he became a judge in Jefferson County.”

According to Dworek, Foradora’s visit was well received by the students in his class.

“The students seemed to really like him, listened intently to his stories and experiences, and asked questions,” Dworek said.

Photo submitted Pictured, from left, are St. Marys Area High School students Dan Schutz and Tyler Reed, St. Marys Area High School teacher Chris Dworek, the Honorable Judge John H. Foradora, and St. Marys Area High School students Anthony Nedzinski, Quin Gavazzi, and Bryce Mattiuz.