Justice Sotomayor's Jordan School District visit followed a student video invitation

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited several schools in Jordan School District, meeting students, teachers, faculty members and administrators, the district said 1. KSL NewsRadio reported the visit was a surprise and followed a student video invitation sent to the justice more than a year earlier 2.

The district's account, posted Sept. 10, says she spoke at a large assembly and a fireside chat and took questions chosen from students and staff, and that the visit also included classroom visits, student performances and a welcome reception at which district students provided a soda service 1. She talked about "Just Shine!", her book, and delivered what the district described as a message of inspiration, self-worth and civic engagement 1.

KSL reported that the justice shared her experiences and encouraged students to pursue their dreams, including law 2. She told them about growing up in poverty in the Bronx, struggling with English as a child and eventually graduating from Yale Law School, the station reported, and a district U.S. history teacher told the station the message resonated with students and that the justice told them multiple times they "can be whoever you want to be" 2. KSL also reported that a small group of students had lunch with the justice, and that students took part in the "We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution" civics competition 2.

The district said the visit left a lasting impact on the people she met and inspired one student to chase a dream of going to law school 3. At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Board of Education recorded its own thanks: Superintendent Anthony Godfrey expressed appreciation to the justice and her staff for the visit and thanked those who worked to make it a success 4, and board member Suzanne Wood called it a great success, credited district Communications Director Sandy Riesgraf with the planning, and said the visit "was a great benefit to all of us" 4.

Jordan School District provides education for students living in Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan and West Jordan, and also covers Copperton and parts of unincorporated Salt Lake County 5.

The district's account did not name the students who took part or the schools the justice visited 1. The Ledger withholds identifying detail about minors, including names and schools, under its editorial standards.

Sources: 1 Jordan School District, "U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Brings Genuine Warmth, Wisdom, and Incredible Inspiration to Students, Teachers, & Staff During Jordan School District Visit," Sept. 10, 2026 — https://jordandistrict.org/2026/09/u-s-supreme-court-justice-sonia-sotomayor-brings-genuine-warmth-wisdom-and-incredible-inspiration-to-students-teachers-staff-during-jordan-school-district-visit/ 2 KSL NewsRadio, "Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's surprise visit inspires students," published Sept. 9, 2026, updated Sept. 10, 2026 — https://www.ksl.com/article/51622168/supreme-court-justice-sonia-sotomayors-surprise-visit-inspires-students 3 Jordan School District, Supercast Episode 367, "Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Visits Jordan School District," Sept. 17, 2026 — https://jordandistrict.org/2026/09/supreme-court-justice-sonia-sotomayor-visits-jordan-school-district/ 4 Jordan School District Board of Education, "Sept. 22, 2026 Board Meeting Summary" — https://jordandistrict.org/board/meetings/summary/2026-09-22/ 5 Jordan School District, "Cities in District Boundaries" — https://jordandistrict.org/resources/cities/