The Atlanta Lawyer - Official Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association - march | Page 25

THERRELL HIGH SCHOOL FEATURE Daniel M. Therrell High School Task Force By Lisa Liang Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. [email protected] A t the beginning of Atlanta Bar Association President Wade Watson’s tenure, he prioritized revitalizing the long history of community service and support of the Atlanta Bar Association to Atlanta Public School’s D.M. Therrell High School. Jackie Saylor, President-Elect, started the D.M. Therrell High School Task Force and enlisted the help of Melody Richardson, Nekia S. Hackworth, Claude C. Davis II, Darius T. Pattillo, Wade Malone, Comer Yates, Wade Watson, and Lisa Liang. The Atlanta Bar Association began its support of Therrell in 1988 through mentoring efforts and heightened its support in 1993 with the creation of the Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) in which high school students from Therrell and other area high schools participate in a six-week internship in local law firms, government agencies and corporations. In 2003, the American Bar Association recognized SLIP's contributions and awarded it the Harrison Tweed Award. Additionally, Therrell High School students will participate in the Dream Team Law Day program at the State Bar on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. Beginning in 2002, the Bar established and awarded the “D.M. Therrell Student of the Year Award” to recognize a student’s superior academic achievement, outstanding character, leadership and commitment to others. The second recipient of the award given in 2003 was to Crystal R. Carey who joined the Georgia Bar in 2012. There are several SLIP and Therrell High School alumni in the Atlanta Bar, including Task Force members Nekia S. Hackworth (United States Attorney’s Office), Claude C. Davis II (CD Squared LLC), and Darius T. Pattillo (DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office). • Increasing LGPP Participation in Law Day: Melody Richardson will continue to lead the Law Day Committee work for the Atlanta Bar. As part of the Law Day Committee, Nekia Hackworth has created a symposium for LGPP students, during which law enforcement and legal professionals will present information about their careers. Tentatively, the Law Day events for LGPP students incude a career symposium on May 12, volunteer lawyer teachers will teach classroom sessions on voting rights on May 13, a mock trial exhibition on May 14, and a mock trial exhibition at Ralph Bunche Middle School (Therrell’s feeder school) on May 16. • Create a Clothing Bank for LGPP Students: The Task Force is collecting gently used business clothing and accessory donations for LGPP students. These clothes will be donated to LGPP students for extra-curricular activities like mock trials and debate, as well as professional interviews and work activities. To donate, please contact: - Nekia Hackworth, US Attorney’s Office, 75 Spring Street, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30303, [phone] or - Stephanie Bullard, Pachman Richardson, 75 Fourteenth Street, Suite 2840, Atlanta, GA 30309, [phone]. The Task Force continues to identify ways to maximize daily success for LGPP students and ignite and encourage them to pursue meaningful and rewarding careers in law, government and public policy. To volunteer with Law Day activities or for more information about the Task Force, please contact Marianna Pannell at [email protected]. Of particular and pressing concern to President Watson and the genesis of the Task Force were the plummeting graduation rates at Therrell. Three schools are operated at the Therrell campus: D.M. Therrell School of Health Science and Research, D.M. Therrell School of Law, Government and Public Policy (LGPP) and D.M. Therrell School of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (STEMS). The 2012 high school graduation rate was 38.7% and only marginally better in 2013 at 48.9%. Task Force members met with LGPP leaders in the summer of 2013 and in subsequent meetings identified several initiatives to increase support and mentorship of LGPP and its students. Two of those initiatives include: The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association March 2014 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 25