This week, DCD Alum Edna Etienne-Dupie (’21) was appointed to the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee by Governor Maura Healy! Edna took an oath of office on Tuesday morning and was sworn in by the Chief Secretary of the Governor’s office.

Each year, a student youth member is appointed to the Massachusetts Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, and Edna— at the age of 16, is the youngest person ever appointed to the board!

We learned this wonderful news from Sarnia Etienne-Dupie, Edna’s mom, who shared that last September, in addition to her studies at Milton Academy, Edna began taking sociology classes on Saturdays at Harvard University’s DuBois Society, and over the last two summers, interned at a law firm. This past summer, Edna interned with Associate Justice of the District Court, Marjorie P. Tynes, who was so impressed with Edna’s capability and skills in writing letters and briefs, along with her commitment to her work as an intern, that Justice Tynes recommended Edna to Governor Healey.

Sarnia Etienne-Dupie went on to explain that the JJAC is comprised of a group of experts in the area of juvenile justice and child welfare, who are appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts, and represent various fields such as law enforcement, juvenile courts, private non-profit organizations, juvenile mental health workers, and public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment. This group oversees the funding for programs that aim to reduce the recidivism rate of young people who have been incarcerated.

In Sarnia Etienne-Dupie’s words, “Dave and I remain thankful to the incredible teachers at Dedham Country Day School, who, starting in Pre-k, helped to cultivate Edna’s love of learning. Her academic success at Milton Academy as well as her ability to perform well in her extracurricular activities, all stem from her formative years at DCD. Edna carries the spirit of DCD everywhere she goes. We will always be proud to be a part of the DCD family. I hope DCD is proud to call Edna their own.”

We are so very proud of Edna and her incredible accomplishments and wish her the very best on her appointment to the board! Congratulations, Edna!