Message from the
Chief and Administrative Judge
July 2022
I hope you are having a great summer thus far! I am sure that many of you are taking time off to enjoy vacations with your families. Whether you visit the beach or choose to indulge in a restful staycation, I encourage you to invest in yourself and wellness. If you aren't feeling uplifted, upbeat and well rested, it's even harder to take care of your families and even fully engage at work. Therefore, celebrate you! Make time for things you enjoy like concerts, baseball games or spas.

I also want to take the time to acknowledge that every summer National Intern Day is celebrated on the last Thursday in July. I am pleased to highlight our 2022 Prince George's County Law Links Summer Intern Maya Yansen, a rising junior at Gwynn Park High School who has maintained a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0.
In this month's Circular, we hope you will enjoy the feature article about Maya in the Directors' Update section. Maya, we are excited that you are working at the Circuit Court this summer, and we wish you the very best as you continue your high school education.

As always, thank you for everything you to do make the Circuit Court a success! I appreciate each of you and value your daily contributions. Enjoy the rest of the summer and any upcoming vacations you may have scheduled! Relax, relate and release!
Inside This Edition
  • Judge's Chambers
  • Directors' Updates
  • Kudos
  • July Birthdays
  • New Employees
  • Photos of the Month
  • Announcement
  • Closing Words
JUDGE'S CHAMBERS
COVID-19 Cases Are Still Being Reported in the
Circuit Court and Clerk's Office
Please be mindful that new COVID-19 cases are still being reported at the Courthouse. In June 2022, 14 cases were reported in the Circuit Court and Clerk's Office. This month,12 cases have occurred so far. In fact, one case was reported this week!

This is once again a reminder of the importance of washing your hands, wearing your masks and keep your work areas clean. Also, if you are sick or have symptoms, please stay home. Do not come to work!

COVID-19 is here to say, and we must do all we can to keep Courthouse employees and visitors safe.
Circuit Court's Annual Art Exhibition Showcases Area Students' Creative Designs
The Opening Reception for the Circuit Court's Annual Art Exhibition was held on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in the Duvall Wing of the Courthouse. The Honorable Sheila R. Tillerson Adams and Circuit Court Administrator Nancy Faulkner are pictured with MTC Art Studios, Inc. students whose artwork is currently on display. Each student also received a Certificate of Appreciation.
The Circuit Court hosted the Opening Reception for the Annual Art Exhibition Reception on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in the Duvall Wing of the Courthouse. Nearly 30 young and adult students from MTC Art Studios, Inc. and members of "EmpowerHer Girls," a mentorship program sponsored by the Mount Rose Links, displayed artwork in the exhibition, "Art That Feels, Art That Heals."

According to MTC Art Studios Director Mavis Turner, the goal of the exhibition is to heal the wounds of everyday life. Some students chose to express their emotions through the pandemic, while others simply made expressions to free the soul. Students also created their work in various mediums, including digital, colored pencil, watercolor paint, graphite pencil and acrylic paint.

You may also notice that a special artist is featured in the Exhibition. Can you guess who it is? Well, we are proud to share that our Chief and Administrative Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams has artwork on display that you will enjoy! Yes, she is a woman of many talents. From the Courthouse to the canvas, Judge Adams never ceases to inspire us!

The Circuit Court would also like to thank Desheia D. Claggett for leading coordination efforts and ensuring that this event was a huge success!

The Art Exhibition will be on display in the Duvall Wing until August 14, 2022. To learn more about MTC Art Studios, please visit: www.mtcartstudios.org.
MTC Art Studios, Inc. Student Jaune' Sewell is pictured with her acrylic paint creation called, "Queen of Hearts."
Judge Adams viewed the art that she created along with the students from the EmpowerHer Girls Mentorship Program for the Exhibition.
Judge Adams' created "Embrace The Power Within" with acrylic paint.
EmpowerHer Girls Mentee Dayana Mancia Quintanilla created
"The Love of You & Art" with acrylic paint.
MTC Art Studios Student Elle Lawrence created "Cosmic Closet."
It is a colored pencil design.
MTC Art Studios Student Kevin Burton created "Miami Vibes" with
acrylic paint.
New Security Key Cards for Courthouse Employees Will Now Be Distributed in August 2022
To enhance safety and security, the Courthouse is upgrading employee key cards that are used to access all employee parking areas and to gain access to and throughout the buildings within the Courthouse Complex.
 
The current plan is for the new cards to be distributed in August. Employees will receive more detailed information soon.
 
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation!
DIRECTORS' UPDATES
Court Administration

Circuit Court Welcomes Law Links Summer Intern
Maya Yansen is the Circuit Court's 2022 Law Links Summer Intern
The 2022 Prince George’s County Law Links Program began on Monday, June 25, 2022 and concludes on Friday, August 5, 2022.
 
I am proud to announce this year’s Circuit Court Law Links Summer Intern, Maya Yansen. Ms. Yansen is a rising junior at Gwynn Park High School maintaining a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0.
 
While attending Gwynn Park High School, Ms. Yansen plays on the Varsity Volleyball Team, a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), Student Government Association (SGA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) clubs. She is also striving to become a FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) member as well.
 
Ms. Yansen has strategically aligned this internship with her academics and career goals. When Ms. Yansen attends college, she plans to major in law and minor in business. She aspires to become an administrative law judge or work within the agribusiness industry as a lawyer.
 
While working as a Law Links Summer Intern for the Circuit Court, Ms. Yansen is excited to learn all that she can along with meeting new people who can assist her in achieving her goals and aspirations in the legal field.
 
If you see Maya Yansen during her tenure with the Circuit Court, please welcome and provide her with encouragement!
 
Welcome to Circuit Court, Maya Yansen! 
 
Submitted by: Desheia D. Claggett, Manager, Judicial Support Services
Human Resources
Staff Education and Development Day
(Top row, left to right) Circuit Court for Prince George's County Human Resources Director LaCresha Buchanan and Business Analyst/Project Manager for Montgomery County Court Anne Grant; (Second row, left to right) Prince George's County Deputy Court Administrator/Jury Commissioner Erica M. Payne-Santiago; and Circuit Court for Baltimore County Deputy Court Administrator Stephanie Medina; (Bottom row) Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County Wayne Robey
On Friday, June 24, 2022, the Circuit Court held the third and final training sessions on "Getting Ready for MDEC." Employees participated in two (2) training sessions: MDEC Presentation/Q&A Session and MDEC Applications/Training. Training sessions were conducted by Anne Grant, Stephanie Medina, Wayne Robey, and Brent Glosser to make our transition to a paperless court as smooth as possible. There were some helpful Time-Saving Tips and Tricks presented by the presenters on how to format Word documents and orders, work case data in Excel worksheets, and design professional documents. Below are some topics discussed to make the transition to a paperless court as easy as possible.
 
SharePoint 
  • Access and navigate the SharePoint environment
  • Effectively use SharePoint document management tools and techniques
  • Use the SharePoint search tools to locate files
  • Email a SharePoint document link to another user
  • Add SharePoint calendar entries and change calendar views
  • Describe and use Discussion Threads

Outlook
  • Format email messages
  • Create email signatures
  • Manage folders
  • Schedule meetings
  • Use Notes, Tasks, and Contacts

Excel
  • Navigate the Excel environment
  • Create and enter data in a workbook
  • Format and modify data in a worksheet
  • Use basic formulas and functions
  • Print and share an Excel workbook
  • Manage worksheets and workbooks
 
Odyssey is another aspect of MDEC. How does Microsoft relate to Odyssey?
 
Reports
  • Reports in Odyssey can be generated in Adobe PDF or CSV formats
  • Bond Status Report
  • Cases with No Attorneys

Forms
  • Forms are generally created in Word; from there, a user can adjust wording, formatting, etc.
  • Orders
  • Trial Summary Sheet
  • End of Day Reconciliation Worksheet
  • This form can be found on CourtNet and is widely used by both Circuit and District Courts for their end-of-day processes
  • Form for cashiers to utilize with the counting of cash drawers

Submitted by: LaCresha Buchanan, Human Resources Director
Law Library

Summer Book Review
I chose this book because I wanted to know about the first Hispanic woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest and most influential Court in the nation.

Sonia grew up in poverty in Puerto Rico and her family was poor so as a child she had big dreams to become a lawyer and a judge. Despite her hardships and her family not having any money, Sonia studied hard no matter what obstacles came her way. This book could help many young children/young adults to learn that no matter where they come from or whether they are living in poverty, they can work hard to overcome any obstacles and succeed.

I loved this book, and it’s very informative. As a child, you look up to your parents and all Sonia saw was her parents struggling and trying to make ends meet, so she knew growing up things needed to change for her and her family. Sonia set her standards high, and it paid off in the end. I rate this book a 10 out of 10. I recommend this book for young children and adults.

Submitted by: Sharon Brandon, Administrative Aide II, Library Assistant 
KUDOS
Circuit Court Administrator Accepts New Position as Maryland Deputy State Court Administrator
Congratulations to Nancy Faulkner! Nancy will be leaving the Circuit Court and starting a new journey as Maryland Deputy State Court Administrator.

Nancy joined the Circuit Court on August 30, 2021, and during that time, she has been an exceptional, collegial and collaborative leader. She has also been integral in ensuring that the Court's transition to MDEC will be successful and effective.

Nancy, we will miss you! However, we are excited about this new chapter you are starting. We wish you success in your new role.

Nancy will begin her new role with the Administrative Office of the Courts on August 24, 2022.
JULY BIRTHDAYS
The following employees are celebrating birthdays in July. Please extend them well wishes! May each of your special days be filled with joy, excitement and abundance!

Happy Birthday from your co-workers at the Circuit Court!
Christina Buck
Kendra Hurley
Linda Randall
Nikita Richardson
Pamela Rudiman
Dianne Scruggs
Dwain Shaw
Robin Watson

*To be featured in this section, employees had to provide written consent.
NEW EMPLOYEES
The Circuit Court would like to welcome the following employee (not pictured) to our team!

Kristin Washington
Administrative Aide to the Family Support Services Coordinator
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
"A Celebration of Artists at the Courthouse"
This picture was taken at the Opening Reception of the Circuit Court's Annual Art Exhibition on July 14, 2022 at the Courthouse. (Left to right) Circuit Court Administrator Nancy Faulkner, Circuit Court Associate Judge ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey, Maryland Court of Special Appeals Judge Melanie M. Shaw Geter, Circuit Court Associate Judge Judy L. Woodall, MTC Art Studios Student Cassidy Salisbury and Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams.

Photos by: Gregory Sanders, Manager, Administrative Support Services,
 Family Division Magistrates’ Unit 
Cassidy Salisbury is pictured with her artwork called, "Sunflower Girl."
ANNOUNCEMENT
CLOSING WORDS
Circuit Court Circular July 2022 Staff

Writer
Jocelyn Steele

Special Photography
Gregory Sanders