Honors & Awards

Arnie Wilkerson Memorial Award

On January 10, 1984, Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputy Arnold William Wilkerson was shot and killed while serving as a bailiff at the Orange County Courthouse. In recognition of his selfless sacrifice and his exemplary public service, The George C. Young American Inn of Court created an award in his honor, the Arnie Wilkerson Memorial Court Service Award.

This award honors individuals (excluding lawyers and judges), who are employed within the judicial system and display the highest standards of character, integrity, and ongoing dedication.

Past recipients have been long-term models of excellence in their work and extremely active in some dimension of community service outside of the judicial system. Past award winners include:

  • 2025: Vikki Cooper (Judicial Assistant)
  • 2024: Jill Gay (Judicial Assistant)
  • 2023: Lisa Shorten (Judicial Assistant)
  • 2022: Wynter Solomon-Cuthbert
  • 2021: Karen Levey (Court Administration)
  • 2020: Gaye Castell (Dependency Court Liaison)
  • 2019: Sonja Maylor (Jury Services Coordinator)
  • 2019: Cathy R. Stephens (Judicial Assistant)
  • 2018: Steve Simon (Project Management Team)
  • 2017: Nikki Peters (Court Reporting Services)
  • 2016: Eric Thompson (Deputy U.S. Marshall)
  • 2015: Irene Bustamante (Truancy Court)
  • 2014: Diane M. Iacone (Judicial Assistant)
  • 2013: Jacqueline Dalton (Visitation Center Coordinator)
  • 2012: Ody A. Arias (Manager Court Interpreting)
  • 2011: Ralph Rogers (Volunteer Coordinator)
  • 2010: Lori M. Spangler (Pres. Paralegal Section OCBA)
  • 2009: Sherry Wolfe (Sr. Community Corrections Officer)
  • 2008: Carolyn Weber (ECF Program Manager)
  • 2007: Carmen Velazquez (Orange County Clerk)
  • 2006: David Medvec (Teen Court)
  • 2005: Mimi Rollins (Dependency Court)
  • 2004: Norman Schneiderman (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
  • 2003: Orange County Volunteer Mediation Program
  • 2002: Matt Benefiel (Court Administration)
  • 2001: Gay Aaron (Judicial Assistant)
Arnie Wilkerson

Deputy Sheriff Arnold William Wilkerson

Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, January 10, 1984

Each year, the Board of Directors of The George C. Young American Inn of Court selects a recipient of this award, which is presented during the June meeting of the Inn. The winner of this award receives a plaque and $500, in addition to having his/her name added to a plaque hanging outside the Roger Barker Memorial Courtroom on the 23rd Floor of the Orange County Courthouse.

The Honorable James B. Glazebrook and Mark L. Horowitz Professionalism and Service Award

The Honorable James G. Glazebrook was a thoughtful and outstanding jurist, who was deeply committed to the Inn's mission of mentoring young lawyers to understand the critical importance of practicing law with honor and integrity. In his honor, The George C. Young American Inn of Court created the James G. Glazebrook Professionalism and Service Award.

The purpose of this award is to honor a current or former Inn member (including lawyers and judges), whose combination of service to the Inn and professionalism and integrity in practice display a course of excellence. Past award winners have included:

  • 2025: Euribiades Cerrud
  • 2024: Judge Eric DuBois
  • 2023: John Foster
  • 2022: Gregory Kelly
  • 2021: Judge Robert Egan
  • 2020: N. Diane Holmes
  • 2019: Ed Foster
  • 2018: The Honorable John Jordan
  • 2017: Leon B. Cheek, III, Esquire
  • 2016: The Honorable Alice L. Blackwell
  • 2015: Gary S. Salzman, Esquire
  • 2014: Mark L. Horwitz, Esquire
  • 2013: The Honorable Thomas B. Smith
  • 2012: Carolyn Salzman, Esquire
  • 2011: The Honorable John Marshall Kest
  • 2010: Norberto Katz, Esquire
  • 2009: Bruce Blackwell, Esquire
  • 2008: The Honorable John Antoon, II

Each year, the Board of Directors of The George C. Young American Inn of Court selects a recipient of this award, which is presented during the June meeting of the Inn.