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The Honorable Judge John Kittredge, CCES Class of 1975, Speaks to CCES Upper School Students on Constitution Day
On Monday, September 17th, 2018 we celebrate Constitution Day, an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. September 17th commemorates the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.
This morning, Upper School students had the honor and the privilege of hearing Justice John W. Kittredge, a justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, speak in the Hartness Performing Arts Center. Justice Kittredge was a Primer at CCES fifty-six years ago, a graduate of the University of South Car olina School of Law, and formerly a Court of Appeals judge for the state. He was elected to the Supreme Court in 2008.
Introduced by his son Zay Kittredge, Upper School Counselor, Justice Kittredge joked, “Who hired this guy?” Quickly shifting to a more serious note, his passion for the constitution of the United States and his admiration for this work of genius by brilliant men was swiftly apparent. He discussed the structure of the constitution, the three branches of government and how they work together, the separation of powers, how it limits the government and why it’s necessary, the safeguards that were put in place to protect us, and our system of checks and balances.
Shedding light on the principles and goals of the constitutional design he asked, “Not everyone is pulling for the lawyer, why is that?” Justice Kittredge reminded students that the end does not always justify the means. That the certainly of a fair process is as important as the outcome. “It is because the legal system is by design adversarial,” he said, “with each side engaged in combat under rules, rules geared to ascertain the truth within a process that promotes and ensures a fair playing field.”
Thanking the audience for the privilege of allowing him to share this morning, Justice Kittredge concluded, “I hope you have a better understanding of the goals that the law seeks to serve, and especially have a more profound appreciation for the experiment known as the United States Constitution.”
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Justice John W. Kittredge of the South Carolina Supreme Court and CCES Class of 1975
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Justice Kittredge speaks to the Upper School during assembly
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Justice Kittredge visited a Middle School American History class while visiting
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