The Dallas Bar Association hosted 130 middle and high school students this month at its inaugural Civics Camp, an initiative DBA leaders hope becomes an annual program and a model that is replicated by bar associations across the country.
Students as young as sixth grade from five schools – Dallas Independent School District’s Ann Richards STEAM Academy, Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, and Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet along with Prosper ISD’s Rock Hill High School – had the opportunity to learn about the distinctives of the three branches of government from an impressive group of public officials leading our courts, state, and country. A real life Schoolhouse Rock experience, though sadly most of the students were unfamiliar with the classic cartoon musical.
District Court Judge Tonya Parker, Fifth Court of Appeals Chief Justice JJ Koch, former U.S. Ambassador Ron Kirk, U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne and Texas Sen. Nathan Johnson shared stories about their paths to public service and provided a glimpse into their day-to-day. Students also had the chance to ask questions after each discussion.
“It is one thing to read about [civics], but it is important for students to learn directly from the leaders who are doing it,” DBA President Jonathan Childers said.
“It is also proof that public officials can disagree on issues and be civil, and that civility is actually an effective way to advocate your position. It shows at the end of the day they love serving and underscores the importance of the separation of powers.”
The idea for a “Civics Camp” to address the civics gap – the knowledge of and engagement with our democratic institutions – was Judge Audrey Moorehead’s. She and Childers both emphasized the duty of the bar association to educate the public on the rule of law and proactively engage with the community. Judge Moorehead said they received “significant interest” from other schools to participate in promoting this inaugural event.
Temieka Davis, a social studies teacher at the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy who worked in the state attorney general’s office for 10 years, said civic engagement should be introduced as early as possible.
“Students need to know their civic responsibilities. We have students who are aspiring attorneys,” Davis said. “Our students have never had an opportunity like this.”
Ann Richards STEAM teacher and campus activity coordinator Georgina Reo agrees.
“It is important to broaden their horizons and be exposed to leadership,” she said. “I hope the experience makes them more confident as leaders.”
Princeton, an 8th grader at Ann Richards STEAM, said the Civics Camp “opened my eyes.”
“I was thinking about real estate, but now I think I want to be a lawyer.”
Jacob, a 7th grader who was one of 60 students from the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy that attended, wasn’t moved from his dream to be an FBI agent but still left inspired.
“It went way better than I expected. It made me feel presidential.”
Quotes and Observations from the “Camp Counselors”
The loudest applause from the room came after Judge Parker said, “It is important to create environments where the parties feel like it was a fair proceeding. I could get the law perfectly right, but I’m not doing my job if one of the parties feels like I was unfair.”
When asked by a student for one piece of advice for those interested in becoming a lawyer: Justice Koch replied “Read more and write more.” Judge Parker said “Believe in yourself. There are so many steps to becoming a lawyer, and they are difficult. But they can be traversed.” Judge Moorehead shared “Do what is next (WIN).”
Ambassador Kirk emphasized the keystone to our society and government is your civic participation and your vote. “You may not be able to tell Jerry Jones how to run the Dallas Cowboys. But you can influence your representatives. The ultimate check and balance is the average citizen.”
Ambassador Kirk shared that his greatest heroes growing up and ultimately his inspiration for pursuing a career in politics were lawyers and principled judges.
The students were quite impressed that Sen. Johnson did the music for 67 episodes of Dragon Ball Z. To which Rep. Van Duyne said, “I can’t compete with that.”