New Orleans Job Corps Center student president Durand Harris said his recent field trip to the Louisiana State Supreme Court has inspired him to learn more about two areas he has always had a passion for: public service and government. Durand and his student government colleague Brisman Lacabe posed for photographs in the courtroom following a presentation.

“Actually, I was already interested in government and now I’m actually more interested because of some of the things I learned while touring the building,” said Durand. “Now, I feel inspired to volunteer in a campaign. It was an old building but you could see it had been remodeled. We learned that President Obama had visited the courtroom we were sitting in. And, we learned about historic cases that were tried there like Plessy v. Ferguson.”

The Supreme Court of Louisiana, located in the city’s French Quarter, celebrated its 300th anniversary this year and recently underwent a $40 million dollar renovation. The Main Courtroom features ornate, marble columns and thick, red carpet. Photographs of previous Supreme Court justices adorn the walls.

“Another exciting thing we learned is that the next Supreme Court Chief justice (Bernette Johnson) is an African-American woman.” said Durand. “It’s a great time in the court’s history.”