Although Judge Rehana Adat-Lopez came to work in traditional robes, her office looked different on Monday morning.

Instead of facing a courtroom, Adat-Lopez addressed multiple groups of about 20 middle school students at Gary Lighthouse Charter School Upper Academy, explaining the importance of the U.S. Constitution and answering questions about her profession.

“Children are near and dear to my heart,” said Adat-Lopez, a judge in the Lake County Superior Court’s civil division. “I think it’s important to start talking about these things and these issues with kids around this age because they’re starting to develop into who they are and get more of an identity.”

Adat-Lopez is one of 61 judicial officers statewide to talk with thousands of students in honor of Constitution Day, which was

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