Armed only with some colored pencils, markers and their limitless imaginations, a group of area students recently helped their peers overcome one of the most dauntless tasks a child could imagine — testifying in the courtroom.

The Cass County Board of Commissioners recognized the 20 winners of the prosecutor’s 2017 “Going to Court” book contest during its meeting Thursday evening in Cassopolis. The students’ artwork is featured in the updated version of the prosecutor’s office “Going to Court” handbook, which prosecutor’s office staff gives to children who are asked to testify in court cases.

The handbook contains photos and information explaining the justice system to children, including how cases work and the names of the people who work in the courthouse. The book also contains illustrations from the local students, meant to put a friendly face on what is often a harrowing experience for children, said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

“This book is very important,” Fitz said. “When kids have to come to court — whether it is family court to testify in front of Judge [Susan] Dobrich, or in front of Judge [Stacey] Rentfrow or our other judge, [Mark] Herman — they need to know what is expected of them when they go to court.”

The prosecutor’s office organized the cover contest as part of the annual Victims’ Rights Week, which took place earlier this month. Senior citizens at the Cass County COA judged the more than 200 submissions to the contest, narrowing the field to the top 20 entries, Fitz said.

Winning the spot on the front cover was Emma Green, of Marcellus, while earning the back cover spot was Liliane Sherwood, of Edwardsburg.

Recognized Thursday were:

Dowagiac (Kincheloe Elementary)

Josefina Medellin

Chase Morse

Rachel Saldivor

Edwardsburg

Brailey Fowler

Scarlett Richardson

Wyatt Schantz

Madison Smith

Madelyn Pobuda

Skylar Swoape

Bruce DeWulf

Liliane Sherwood — Back cover winner

Julia Selfer

Brody Canarecci

Marcellus

Emma Green — Front cover winner

Serenity Singleton

Sierra Nelson

Cale Hackenberg

Sydnee Glover

Beau Ferguson

Atheylia Pachovas