Texas teen making history as youngest ever Black law graduate in US

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM A Texas lady is generating background this weekend. 

Haley Taylor Schlitz, 19, is graduating from Southern Methodist University this Saturday. 

“It truly is just it is really as well best, I’m energized,” Schlitz explained. “It feels truly true now.”

The North Texas indigenous is making nationwide heritage.

“This impression of this young Black lady in The united states, in the point out of Texas, finding all set to wander across the stage and make history, not as just the youngest Black regulation graduate in the background of this state, but also as the youngest female in this country to stroll throughout the phase and get her JD,” father, William Schlitz claimed. 

Haley has been building nationwide headlines considering the fact that her story was shared by means of the University, from CNN to the Tamron Corridor clearly show. 

“It feels really good,” Haley reported. “Not only does it sense good to be identified for the accomplishment, but it also feels fantastic to be in a position to get my story out there. I’m really hoping to encourage any individual who hears my tale.”

Haley doesn’t take all the credit for this accomplishment. She credits her household, buddies and mentors for all their support. 

“I feel 1 of the biggest factors that’s held me motivated is my village. You know, you never ever get anywhere by itself,” Haley claimed. “My mom is a single of my finest, best trees in my complete forest and she’s a huge inspiration, a good supporter, terrific advisor and actually the precise purpose why I am in this article.”

Her mother and father say they couldn’t be extra proud as their daughter breaks perceptions all over Black female and guys. 

“To see her shatter perceptions of what Black pupils can do and what their entire opportunity is,” William said, “I think it truly is a extremely strong statement she’s creating.”

Schlitz explained she failed to always want to go to legislation school. 

“I just form of did some on the lookout back at my very own journey, what I had long gone by and how I can seriously use that to make the education program much better for college students that are coming after me,” she claimed. “So I switched my significant to schooling bought my undergrad diploma in training and then I went to legislation college to be equipped to publish policy on instruction.” 

Her journey provided a large amount of “nos.”

“There was a great deal of individuals trying to convey to me ‘no’ in general public faculty and all during my journey, but that was certainly a little something I faced in general public university. I wasn’t ready to test for talented programs, [faced] consistent functions of racism, and micro aggressions, and it was just a large amount,” Schlitz said.

Which is when her parents stepped in and she started off household school rather of public college.

“When school was not functioning I just understood we had to go a different path so she is the a person that has been driving us, and increasing us as dad and mom,” Haley’s mom, Myiesha Taylor, claimed. 

Quick forward, she graduated from large college at 13 yrs old, and went to regulation university close to the age of 16. Now, she’s graduating from SMU’s Dedman Law College. 

“I feel we equally in awe like, ‘wow this is truly occurring.’ She’s performing this, it really is ridiculous,” William stated.

“Just energized, very pleased,” Taylor stated. “She’s a phenomenal woman and I’m so enthusiastic for her long run.”

Haley has a concept for anyone youthful than her who may perhaps listen to her tale. 

“Any individual who’s listening to me, but specifically students of colour and girls, know that you really should try to eat ‘nos’ for breakfast, really don’t enable other people today notify you how you should construct your route. Really don’t allow other folks inform you what you can and cannot do.”

Up coming, she has to prepare for the bar exam in July. More down the line, she said she needs to go into educational procedures, whether it is performing with a non-earnings group or an elected official. Or, she may go into training. The possibilities are limitless for her.