Trail blazer...

Today I did a tour of our detox facility for a few judges in the Salt Lake City area. I always get nervous doing tours because I want to make sure I portray my program and agency in the right way; and that I can articulate accurately what we do as a program to help our clients. But I was extra nervous because I was going to be touring JUDGES (who could put me in jail) and I was going to do it in front of the C.O.O of our agency.  No pressure right?

So I was pretty focused on the script in my head, when someone in the group said, “Are you Polynesian?”  I said yes, and then she asked if I was Samoan. When I said I was, she started speaking to me in Samoan, introducing herself and asking me what village my family was from.

I was shocked…speechless actually, and initially forgot how to respond to her. (I understand Samoan but am very limited in speaking it.) Luckily my brain started working again and I was able to respond to her in Samoan, but then I got all teary.

Before me was a Judge that shared my skin color and ethnicity IN UTAH !??; someone that is connected to the islands where I am from. It was an honor to meet her. I kept hugging her because… well..she’s awesome, but I was also so excited to see a Polynesian in such a prestigious position. I’m not sure I can explain what her example means to me...and what it could mean to young Polynesians that are trying to figure out what they want to become.  THEY CAN BE JUDGES!!!!... or whatever they want to be :)    It is always so great seeing a Pacific Islander really contribute to their communities and just doing some amazing things..it's inspiring!  I’m so proud and impressed by her and all that she has accomplished thus far. Thanks for blazing the trail Judge Trease…

Judge Vernice S. Trease was appointed to the Third District Court in November 2006 by Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. She serves Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties. Judge Trease graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Lewis and Clark College and received a law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1988. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Trease served the community of Salt Lake County as a senior trial attorney, capital qualified attorney, and assistant director with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Assoc. She is a recipient of the Utah Minority Bar Association Community Service Award. Judge Trease has served as a member of the Utah Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in Criminal and Juvenile Justice System, and the State of Utah Office on Domestic and Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Justice Planning Group. Judge Trease currently serves on the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Judicial Council's Fine/Bail Schedule Standing Committee, and is the chairperson of the Judicial Council's Court Interpreter Standing Committee. She is the National Association of Women Judges and is a member of the David K. Watkiss-Sutherland II Inns of Court. 4/10