Texas teen making historical past as youngest ever Black legislation graduate in US

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.

“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 in addition 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 via 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, but it surely 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 would not take all of the credit score for this accomplishment. She credit her household, mates and mentors for all their assist. 

“I feel one of many greatest issues that is stored me impressed is my village. You already know, you by no means get anyplace alone,” Haley stated. “My mom is one among my biggest, biggest timber in my complete forest and he or she’s an enormous inspiration, a fantastic supporter, nice advisor and actually the precise motive why I am right here.”

Her dad and mom 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 at all times wish to go to legislation college. 

“I simply form of did some wanting again at my very own journey, what I had gone via and the way I can actually use that to make the schooling system higher for college kids which can be coming after me,” she stated. “So I switched my main to schooling received my undergrad diploma in schooling after which I went to legislation college to have the ability to write coverage on schooling.” 

Her journey included a variety of “nos.”

“There was lots of people attempting to inform me ‘no’ in public college and all all through my journey, however that was positively one thing I confronted in public college. I wasn’t capable of check for proficient applications, [faced] fixed acts of racism, and micro aggressions, and it was only a lot,” Schlitz stated.

That is when her dad and mom stepped in and he or she began residence college as an alternative of public college.

“When college wasn’t working I simply realized we needed to go a distinct route so she is the one which has been driving us, and rising us as dad and mom,” Haley’s mom, Myiesha Taylor, stated. 

Quick ahead, she graduated from highschool at 13 years outdated, and went to legislation college 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 taking place.’ 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 might hear her story. 

“Anyone who’s listening to me, however notably college students of colour and women, know that you must eat ‘nos’ for breakfast, do not let different folks inform you how you must construct your path. Do not let different folks inform you what you possibly can 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 instructional insurance policies, whether or not it is working with a non-profit group or an elected official. Or, she might go into instructing. The alternatives are countless for her.