The 102nd Supreme Court Justice and first female member, Sandra Day O'Connor, performed an unpretentious tour of the Assurance Home Sunday morning to the delight of Executive Director Ron Malone, board members, children, staff members and other interested parties.

After the protective detail made a quick sweep of the premises, the justice and her husband, John, were delivered to the home by Bert and Martha Murphy.

O'Connor was in Roswell to receive the Will Roger's Award at the New Mexico Military Institute Saturday.

Escorted by Malone, O'Connor toured some of the buildings beginning with the Chapel.

The home serves as a safe place for about 14 young people who have suffered from abuse, neglect and need to be guided away from the violence in their lives.

"Kids' average stay with us is about a year," said Malone.

O'Connor showed concern for what happened to those who had no home to go to.

Malone assured her that the Assurance Home has a variety of programs for the children, such as independent living. Many of the children have stayed as long as six years and many have graduated or joined the service taking advantage of the disciplines they have learned here, he said.

She said she enjoyed seeing the horses because she grew up on a cattle ranch in El Paso.

In the library and studio she saw art work created by the youngsters.

The obstacle course represent many of the obstacles they many have to face in their lives, Malone said. O'Connor inquired about high schools available here for the children and asked if any attended NMMI.

"Our children lack the self confidence that might be needed to attend NMMI," Malone answered. "We have a great relationship with the institute." "Several of the cadets come her to do the ropes' and they bring things for the children with them, such a s a recent gift of a DVD player," he explained.

In the house, O'Connor understood that the young people learned to cook, plan meals, shop and actually fix meals for 20 people. She agreed strongly with that part of the program, saying she had lived in a group house as a law student.

"The house has a good feel to it," she commented as she saw the many pictures of youngsters who have attended the home and saw the many ribbons they won.

She inquired if Native Americans every attended. Malone told her of the many tribes that had been represented at the school.

"We have had Asians, African Americans and kids from all cultures," he said. "It is so much fun."

Near the end of her tour O'Connor visited with several young men who were watching football. They greeted her politely and she discussed strategies of the game with them.

O'Connor was born March 26, 1030, in El Paso. She grew up on her family's 198,000 acre cattle ranch. In 1952, she graduated from Stanford law School and married a fellow law student, John O'Connor, before settling in Phoenix.

She is considered a conservative, but surprises many with her political independence. She has served as a role model for women and many Americans of both sexes and all ages.

The O'Connor's are the parents of three sons --- Scott, Brian and Jay.

She was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as associate justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1981, appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals by Gov. Bruce Babbitt and elected to the Maricopa County Superior Court of Arizona.

Other offices she held are state senator from Arizona, senate majority leader; probate code commissioner; deputy county attorney and assistant attorney general of Arizona.

During her 18 years on the Supreme Court she has often been the justice in the middle in several court decisions and has cast the deciding vote.