In June, Mercer Law School collaborated with the Dougherty County School System to host the first 2024 GEAR UP Summer Law Camp at Mercer University School of Law. This partnership provided hands-on advocacy experience for 18 high school students who stayed on campus for one week. These students aimed to engage in experiences that foster learning and personal growth during their summer break.
The camp's objectives included helping students gain confidence in independent learning and refine social skills through interaction with peers from different backgrounds. Another goal was to stimulate interest in the legal profession.
"GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded program from the U.S. Department of Education tasked with ensuring that students who are part of the cohort are prepared to enter and succeed in education after high school," Dougherty County GEAR UP Director Dr. Alana Simmons said.
The camp offered exposure to college-level academics, personal growth opportunities, networking, and mentorship from faculty and staff. Camp co-directors Professor of Law Suzianne Painter-Thorne and Assistant Dean of Advocacy Katie Powers organized programming that simulated law school academics and participation in Mercer’s advocacy program.
On the first day, students attended a class on case theory taught by Georgia State Court Chief Judge John Carbo, followed by lessons on opening statements and storytelling. They applied this knowledge to a mock case the next day. Other sessions covered direct examination, cross-examination, evidence, and closing arguments. The week concluded with a mock evidence bar exam and a final trial livestreamed for families in Dougherty County.
"I learned how to get into things," Marquavion Lassiter, a rising senior at Monroe Comprehensive High School, said about the camp. "Normally I don’t like to read, but in mock trial you have to read."
Several Dougherty County students had prior experience with mock trials as part of their high school curriculum. During the camp, each student played roles such as attorneys, jurors, or witnesses in a week-long mock trial case.
"I’m still working on public speaking," My’Keya Tunewald, a rising senior at Dougherty Comprehensive High School said. "But I feel like this camp has given me a chance to do better at that."
Campers benefited from teamwork activities regardless of their future career interests. "This camp is about more than mock trial," Powers noted.
Students lived in residence halls on Mercer's main campus while engaging academically at Bell Jones Courtroom within the law school building. They also received guidance from Mercer University's admissions team regarding future plans and college admissions processes.
"The biggest piece of GEAR UP is exposing students to college life," Dr. Simmons stated.
In addition to co-directors Painter-Thorne and Powers, other key figures included Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Jeanne Zipperer as coordinator; Bernadine Jackson as assistant coordinator; Chris Osier as IT specialist; Tracy Jackson as operations manager; among others.
"There were several goals that we met during an exciting week," Powers said. Students gained advocacy skills beneficial for their schools' programs moving forward into the academic year."
Dean Karen J. Sneddon emphasized Mercer's longstanding commitment: "For over 150 years Mercer Law has ensured that law students are prepared... The high school students who participated... could become our future."