Stetson hosts Diversity and Inclusion Youth Pre-Law Conference, now in its 15th year
By Carmen Johnson, Assistant Director for Admissions and Diversity Initiatives
Stetson University College of Law recently hosted the 15th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Youth Pre-Law Conference on Feb. 24 at the Tampa Law Center. This year, students from Thomas Jefferson High School’s Law and Criminal Justice Academy attended the event. Held annually in partnership with the Law School Admission Counsel’s (LSAC) DiscoverLaw.org since 2002, the mission of the daylong conference is to promote opportunities for legal education and careers among local high school and community college students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Stetson Law alumni Javier Centonzio, Cornelius Demps, Adrian Burden, Keh’ara Hendrieth and Bridgette Lester spoke with high school students on Feb. 24 about the legal system. Photo courtesy Carmen Johnson.
Conference speakers Keh’ara Hendrieth and Bridgette Lester spoke one-on-one with high school students during the conference. Photo courtesy Carmen Johnson.
In addition to engaging with Stetson Law students, administrators and alumni at the Tampa Law Center, the Jefferson High participants attended interactive sessions that highlighted how to prepare for college and law school, become financially aware for college and beyond, confidently network in professional settings, and use DiscoverLaw.org as a resource to explore their interests.
The students also engaged in a full mock trial under the instruction and guidance of Stetson Law alumni. The alumni volunteers included Adrian Burden J.D. ’10, an assistant public defender with the Sixth Judicial Circuit; Javier Centonzio J.D. ’12, LL.M. ’14 of Weylie Centonzio, PLLC; Cornelius Demps J.D. ’10, an assistant attorney general in Tampa; Keh’ara Hendrieth J.D. ’11, also an assistant attorney general in Tampa; and Bridgette Lester J.D. ’10 of Trevana, Pontrello & Associates.
This week, Stetson law school is hosting a series of events spearheaded by student organizations for Diversity Week including a presentation on “Being Black in America,” “Shades of Grey: Colorblind Jurisprudence and Color-Conscious Practices,” and a “Black History Gala.”
Post date: March 1, 2017
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
[email protected] | 727-430-1580