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St. Anne’s Fourth Graders Enjoy Special Miracle on 34th Street Courtroom scene performed by St. Anne’s Trustee
PHOTO ABOVE: Fourth graders at St. Anne’s with the Honorable Henry DuPont Ridgely and the Honorable M. Jane Brady.
December 19, 2007, Middletown, DE - Since December of 2004, courtrooms throughout Delaware have delighted school-aged children with the reenactment of the courtroom scene of Miracle on 34th Street so they can see a real courtroom and how the legal process works.
The fourth graders at St. Anne’s Episcopal School had an opportunity to see this performance at the Kent County Courthouse on December 12, 2007. Justice Henry DuPont Ridgely, who serves on the Delaware Supreme court, is a trustee of St. Anne’s Episcopal School.
“It was a very awesome play,” said Ethan Bloomfield, who lives in Middletown. “I thought it was cool how the judge really was a judge, and I even got to talk to him.”
Ridgely was approached by attorney Richard Herrmann, Esq. about this educational and memorable program. “Without hesitation, I thought this would be a wonderful way to teach about the courts while spreading the spirit of the Christmas season,” Justice Ridgely, who plays the presiding judge, said. The court obtained permission from Twentieth Century Fox to use their script and developed a program to present to elementary school children in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown.
Justice Ridgely’s “Miracle Team,” includes Kris Kringle, who is played by Dan Slipetsky. Madeline Hughes is a very talented young actress who plays the prosecutor’s daughter. The prosecutor is played by former Attorney General M. Jane Brady, now a superior court judge. Eric Robbins plays the Delaware Postmaster. Franny Haney of the AOC coordinates arrangements in each courthouse and with the schools.
This year, more than 1,950 elementary school students learned about Delaware’s court system and trial procedures through the performance of the courtroom scene in Miracle on 34th Street. Delaware judges, lawyers, and others working in the justice system gave 12 performances which were presented in Georgetown, Dover and Wilmington. Since 2004, more than 6,400 students have seen the show.
Jocelyn Sanders, a fourth grade teacher at St. Anne’s exclaimed after the show,” I know my rights, I know the law, I truly believe that man is Santa Claus,” she told the children on the bus ride back to school.
“It is a special experience for me and all who participated to teach the kids in this unique way and to share the spirit of Christmas,” said Justice Henry DuPont Ridgely. “The movie, Miracle on 34th Street, is absolutely is my favorite. There are two versions and I prefer the original. That is the one we use for our reenactment.
“It is truly a group effort by our “Miracle Team.” And we have the full collaboration of the Delaware Superior Court and the Administrative Office of the Courts as well. Together, we have created a unique learning experience for Delaware students and unforgettable memories for ourselves about teaching the legal process with the spirit of the holidays. We believe.”