Elma Bellini, Class of 1972

Elma Bellini attended James Sperry High School, where she was an avid fan of Rush-Henrietta sports, especially football and wrestling. A graduate of both Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport, she received a degree in elementary education. 

After several years as a teacher and working in the business world, she entered Syracuse Law School and graduated in 1986. She went into private practice and focused on criminal and family law before joining the Monroe County Public Defender's Office in 1989. Elma was appointed to the bench by Gov. George Pataki in June 2000, and was elected to a full ten-year term as Monroe County Court Judge in November 2000. She presided over felony cases.

Elma has been active in the community throughout her career. Her involvement with Camp Good Days spans 15 years as volunteer, counselor, board member and honorary trustee. She has been active as a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Italian-American Women's Civic Club, and Families for Children from China. She has returned to Rush-Henrietta schools as a speaker in the Law Explorer's Program. She and her husband, James Stevenson, have a daughter.

Elma Bellini was honored with the Distinguished Alumni award in 2001.