The first Laredo ISD Kazen Fellowship Program cohort, composed in part of 10 LISD high school students, graduated from a six-week paid summer internship at the George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse last week. The first of its kind in Laredo, under the direction of U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, the program was launched to give students an opportunity for mentorship by community partners.
Featured keynote speakers were Judge Saldaña, Cigarroa High School Student Lercy Aguilar, Nixon High School and Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts Student Reymundo Chaires, LISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Gerardo Cruz, United ISD Student Odete Coss, United ISD Superintendent David Gonzalez, and Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Guadalupe Perez.
The students received Superlative Awards delivered by Department Coordinators Ryan Moncivais and Natalia Boyd-Garcia. Additionally, they were awarded Certificates of Completion. The ceremony ended with a video montage of a series of events commemorating their time at the courthouse.
“A couple of years ago, I read about a program in one of the judicial newsletters. It takes place in Boston, Massachusetts and has been ongoing for 20 years. I immediately fell in love with the idea. It was a dream I had to be able to offer students in Laredo something more and it became a reality,” Judge Saldaña said.
The LISD high school students participating in this program are Lercy Aguilar, Montserrat Rocha, Vivian de la Cruz, Lucia Garcia, Arturo Diaz, Isaac Lagunes, Kassandra Jaime, Reymundo Chaires, Jarethzy Balderas, and Vanessa Julian.
The selected students were required to complete an application that consisted of a written essay, letter of recommendation from a counselor, and a final interview with a composed committee.
For six weeks, students were able to gain a better understanding of a career in law by learning about the American Judicial System, Federal and State Courthouse Procedures, Overviews of Municipal Law, Mock Trial Preparations, Medium Literacy, Civics Education, among other topics taught by seasoned professionals.
Students also had the opportunity to listen to informative presentations by guest speakers such as District Attorney for Webb and Zapata Counties Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, Webb County Attorney Marco Montemayor, KGNS News anchor Mindy Casso, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, U.S. Marshal Services, Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas Marjorie Meyers, Laredo Police Department Chief Steve Landin, and others.
“Growing up I had no idea what I wanted to do or how to go about achieving it. All I know is that I desired to depart from Texas and pursue other endeavors. As I mentioned, I had never met a U.S. Attorney or even an Assistant U.S. Attorney despite the fact that I had been a lawyer for years,” the 24th United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Almadar Hamdani said. “This program gives kids the chance to learn to love law and history while pursuing a career as a lawyer. This is a unique perspective on our legal and political systems that I don't believe many young people have.”
The program is funded in part by The Laredo Webb County Bar Association and Stars Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the association’s fundraising, spearheaded by the WCBA President Amber Holmes, each student received a stipend of $1,800. Monday through Thursday, students were able to get out of their comfort zone and develop their communication skills by working together. Judge Saldaña encouraged students to network and build relationships that will help them in the future.
“Interacting with the students has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done as a judge. It’s the most fulfilling thing to know that I am assisting these students in realizing that they can achieve their dreams while getting to know their stories, struggles, and aspirations. I am aware of this because I can see it in their eyes, and when they speak to me,” Judge Saldaña said.
To end their time working at the courthouse, the students used the skills they learned to prepare for a conclusionary mock trial. Over the past six weeks, the future lawyers took a trial advocacy class and were coached by Federal Public Defenders and Assistant United States Attorneys where they learned how to approach closing/opening arguments and court procedures. The Fellows read and memorized an 86-paged mock trial case packet regarding an alleged bank robbery and each pair of Fellows argued whether the defendant was guilty/not guilty.
Additionally, the mock trial was presided by current Federal and State Court Judges; however, the jurors - composed of attorneys/court personnel - determined the verdict based on the Fellows' arguments and evidence.
“The completion of the program wouldn't have been possible without the love, support, and willingness to dream of so many people, including the lawyers in our neighborhood and community partners who actively sought out support for this initiative,” Judge Saldaña said. “It takes a lot of commitment from across the community to make sure that these students have the best experience possible. I've received help from both of the school districts and that's what makes Laredo so unique. It’s the fact that people care. We're a small community that when you put together people who care, we can make a difference for our future.”