The 18th annual Jewel of a Wine Tasting benefit for Forge Evolution/Colorado Springs Teen Court combined an evening of visiting with friends and sampling special wines with announcements of “exciting changes.”

Teen Court Volunteer Honoree Karin Agee, left, and Laura Lyman, board president chair. (Linda Navarro, The Gazette)

With a drum roll at the Nov. 7 nonprofit’s event at Norris Penrose Event Center, a new executive director was introduced. Stephanie Horton begins the new position Dec. 1 after serving as general manager of public radio Jazz 93.5 and KCME Classical887.

Horton said she has “a deep respect for the history and the strong legacy” of Teen Court’s work with youth and youthful first offenders. “I am humbled to join you in this mission and to continue to forge the future one youth at a time.”

Ali Lauge and Edwards Lauge at the wine tasting. (Linda Navarro, The Gazette)

Teen Court dates back to 1994 when El Paso County Bar Auxiliary volunteers along with the Bar Association put together the program as a way for juvenile offenders to become responsible for their actions. A panel of teen volunteers interviews the youth and their family, potentially followed by a trial with a trained volunteer teen jury and attorneys, and mediation with specific sentencing options and lifestyle changes.

Several years ago the organization added the name Forge Evolution and offered various recreational and after-school activities for youth in the community.

At the wine tasting, staff and board said they are returning to the original Teen Court mission and “preventative Teen Court classes to youth in the community. These classes provide education and early intervention to help decrease the risk of future criminal behavior.”

Barb Winter and Barbara Brodock. (Linda Navarro, The Gazette)

Behavioral health support is available. Focuses include the dangers of drugs, how shoplifting impacts the business and the offenders, the impact of social media and how to make good decisions.

Sam Hanson, left, Braeden Bowers and Ashley Bowers. (Linda Navarro, The Gazette)

Champagne toasts at the fundraising event saluted the Teen Court’s work with thousands of young people. Named top volunteer for her years of work and leadership with Teen Court and the wine tastings was Karin Agee. Agee shared the volunteer accolades, saying they should also go to co-event organizer Barb Furr-Brodock as “the brains and brawn behind the scenes.”