Be your own little voice, magistrate tells 4th-graders

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

CANFIELD

“The ability to influence is important, and we can encourage people either in the right direction or the wrong one,” Magistrate Anthony D’Apolito told fourth-graders at C.H. Campbell Elementary School here.

D’Apolito, of Mahoning County Juvenile Court, was invited to speak to the students Tuesday as part of Government Week.

He covered various topics relevant to them, such as bullying.

“We want to teach them to help instead of hurt and to give instead of take, and always do what is right,” D’Apolito said during a later interview.

“Be your own little voice,” he told them.

“I don’t want them to just listen to the voice, but actually be the voice. ... It’s about being a bystander [or] being a leader. We all have the ability to sway people – either thousands or one person; it could be your best friend.”

Although laws are put in place to prevent people from doing things they aren’t supposed to be doing, D’Apolito said he challenged students to be better than the laws require them to be.

“I tell them, ‘You have love in your homes that these kids [in the juvenile justice center] don’t have. So you should appreciate what you have and show [your parents] love and appreciation,’” D’Apolito said. “Everything they do in life is a choice, especially the way they treat each other and their parents,” he explained, referring to his young audience members.

The magistrate noted that speaking with students for Government Week is one of his favorite things to do.