Where do you currently live?
Washington, DC
What is your current occupation?
Honors Attorney at the Department of Justice
What school did you attend while participating in NHD?
Gentry Junior School, Baytown, TX
and Impact Early College High School, Baytown TX.
What college did you attend?
Rhodes College, May 2016, B.A. in History, Phi Beta Kappa, The George Washington University Law School, May 2023, Order of Barristers
Who were your teachers?
Toni Rosenbaum (2010), Jody Roberts (2011), Laura Bagwell (2012), and Steve Koester (2013-2016)
What years and in what category did you participate in NHD?
2010, Individual Performance; 2011, Individual Performance; 2012, Individual Performance; 2013, Individual Performance; 2014, Individual Performance; 2015, Individual Performance; 2016, Group Documentary.
What are a few of your favorite or defining moments from your NHD experience?
My first national win in 7th grade (2011), performing at the Smithsonian for Mr. Behring in my sophomore year (2014), being invited to the British Consulate in Houston for research on the Magna Carta (2014), performing at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington for the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (2015), and winning the Creativity Foundation’s Legacy Award (2016).
How did NHD help you after high school?
NHD was the center of my college application. As well as possessing a greater knowledge of history, my writing and research skills gained during NHD have contributed to higher performance across the board. NHD also taught me to think critically and to produce and defend arguments. I also became more confident in speaking publicly It seems to have been the ultimate college preparatory tool. I use my skills learned from NHD every single day.
What recognition did you receive for participating in NHD?
First place in individual performance 2011, 2013, 2014, and in 2015; Magna Carta Prize in 2014; George Washington Leadership in History Award in 2015 and in 2016; Legacy Prize in 2016.
Did you do anything with your NHD project or research after the contest year?
My Fourth Amendment project translated into a research assistant position at my law school, which connected me to my mentor in the legal field.
What has kept you busy since your days as an NHD student? Any particular challenges, stories, or achievements?
My school, Rhodes College, has one of the highest ranking mock trial teams in the country. Applying my experience from NHD in making arguments and delivering effective presentations is the reason that I was the only freshman on the A Team, which is the best team at Rhodes and has competed nationally for the past 30+ years. I continued doing trial advocacy competitions in law school and won the CourtCall Award for being the top oral advocate of my graduating class. I was also accepted into the Attorney’s General’s Honors Program at the Department of Justice, and I currently work in the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s Office of General Counsel.
Is there anything else that you would like to share about your NHD experience?
NHD was incredibly important in not only developing my writing, critical thinking, and presentation, but also has shaped my entire life plan. I majored in history because NHD exposed me to my greatest passions: United States history and constitutional law. It’s a life changing experience.