DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM A Texas girl is making historical past this weekend.
Haley Taylor Schlitz, 19, is graduating from Southern Methodist College this Saturday.
“It is simply it is too good, I am excited,” Schlitz stated. “It feels actually actual now.”
The North Texas native is making nationwide historical past.
Alexis Wainwright/CBSDFW.com
“This picture of this younger Black girl in America, within the state of Texas, on the brink of stroll throughout the stage and make historical past, not as simply the youngest Black legislation graduate within the historical past of this nation, but additionally because the youngest girl on this nation to stroll throughout the stage and get her JD,” father, William Schlitz stated.
Haley has been making nationwide headlines since her story was shared by means of the College, from CNN to the Tamron Corridor present.
“It feels actually good,” Haley stated. “Not solely does it really feel good to be acknowledged for the accomplishment, nevertheless it additionally feels good to have the ability to get my story on the market. I am actually hoping to encourage anyone who hears my story.”
Haley does not take all of the credit score for this accomplishment. She credit her household, buddies and mentors for all their assist.
“I feel one of many greatest issues that is saved me impressed is my village. , you by no means get anyplace alone,” Haley stated. “My mom is one among my best, best bushes in my complete forest and she or he’s an enormous inspiration, an incredible supporter, nice advisor and actually the precise motive why I am right here.”
Her mother and father say they could not be extra proud as their daughter breaks perceptions round Black girl and males.
“To see her shatter perceptions of what Black college students can do and what their full potential is,” William stated, “I feel it is a very highly effective assertion she’s making.”
Schlitz stated she did not all the time need to go to legislation faculty.
“I simply type of did some wanting again at my very own journey, what I had gone by means of and the way I can actually use that to make the training system higher for college kids which can be coming after me,” she stated. “So I switched my main to training bought my undergrad diploma in training after which I went to legislation faculty to have the ability to write coverage on training.”
Her journey included a number of “nos.”
“There was lots of people attempting to inform me ‘no’ in public faculty and all all through my journey, however that was undoubtedly one thing I confronted in public faculty. I wasn’t in a position to check for proficient applications, [faced] fixed acts of racism, and micro aggressions, and it was only a lot,” Schlitz stated.
That is when her mother and father stepped in and she or he began residence faculty as an alternative of public faculty.
“When faculty wasn’t working I simply realized we needed to go a distinct course so she is the one which has been driving us, and rising us as mother and father,” Haley’s mom, Myiesha Taylor, stated.
Quick ahead, she graduated from highschool at 13 years outdated, and went to legislation faculty across the age of 16. Now, she’s graduating from SMU’s Dedman Regulation Faculty.
“I feel we each in awe like, ‘wow that is actually occurring.’ She’s doing this, it is loopy,” William stated.
“Simply excited, proud,” Taylor stated. “She’s an exceptional girl and I am so excited for her future.”
Haley has a message for anybody youthful than her who could hear her story.
“Anyone who’s listening to me, however significantly college students of colour and ladies, know that it is best to eat ‘nos’ for breakfast, do not let different folks inform you how it is best to construct your path. Do not let different folks inform you what you may and may’t do.”
Subsequent, she has to organize for the bar examination in July. Additional down the road, she stated she needs to enter academic insurance policies, whether or not it is working with a non-profit group or an elected official. Or, she could go into instructing. The alternatives are infinite for her.