98 www.blackeoejournal.com Black EOE Journal
HIGHER EDUCATION
A
t the tender age of 16, Haley Taylor Schlitz was accepted into nine different law schools across the country. Now, three years later, at the age of 19, Schlitz graduated with her law degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, as the uni- versitys youngest law school graduate. In her three years at Dedman School of Law, Taylor Schlitz made a name for herself as an author, public speaker and respected thought leader on the issues students of color face in navigating gifted and talented programs in public schools. Disappointed in what she was being taught in the public school system, and in her struggles to be acknowledged as a gifted student, Taylor Schlitz and her parents decided to homeschool her to better meet her educational needs. For Taylor Schlitz, the biggest advantage of homeschooling was that it gave her more time to pursue the things she wanted to accomplish. She thrived while learning at her own pace, on her own terms, and she graduated from high school when she was only 13. By age 16, she had her undergraduate degree from Texas Womans University and was headed to law school. Many girls and students of color are left out
COURTESY OF SMU, HILLSMAN S. JACKSON
Meet the Nation's Youngest Law School Graduate
of our nations gifted and talented programs, Taylor Schlitz said. Society will lose out on the potential scientist who cures a major dis- ease, the entrepreneur who starts the next Amazon and so much more. All because of their gender and/or skin color. Though younger than her peers, Taylor Schlitz was one of the most academically involved students at her schools. Showing a deep passion for public policy, Taylor Schlitz played an integral part in bettering the aca- demic life for students by working with the Texas Woman's University Student Senate as an elected representative on behalf of the College of Professional Education. During her time, Taylor Schlitz strengthened the written constitution and bylaws of the Student Senate and advocated for public support of DACA students. Off campus, Taylor Schlitz is just as busy pursuing her passion for public policy. At just 17 years old, she was elected the youngest delegate ever to the Texas Democratic Party Convention and currently serves as a mentor in the Young Scholar Program (YSP), a program in which a cohort of young Black women are organized to mentor and develop leadership skills of young Black girls. Additionally, Taylor Schlitz has partici- pated in a number of prestigious projects such as the Representation Projects Global Youth Advisory Council and American Civil Liberties Union Teen Summer Public Policy program in Washington D.C. She is also a recurring opinion columnist for several large name magazine publications and a published author of The Homeschool Alternative , a book co-written with her mother, Dr. Myiesha Taylor. As a graduate from SMU Dedman Law, she hopes to continue her work on education pol- icy issues by working for an elected official or nonprofit organization. Taylor Schlitz is also interested in increasing the opportunities for gifted and talented girls and students of color. I really want to help students realize their potential even if they cant homeschool, Taylor Schlitz told the Dallas Morning News . I want to help families open their eyes to the opportunities that they dont even realize are there.
Sources: Revolt, SMU Dedman School of Law, Haley Taylor Schlitz's Official Website
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