At 19, Monica Taylor Schlitz earned her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, in May 2022, becoming not just the school’s youngest Law school graduate but also the country’s youngest black Law graduate, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
When Monica was nine years old, her parents opted to homeschool her because she was highly talented. This was the start of Monica’s incredible adventure. Without being constrained by the conventional education system, she was allowed to learn at her own pace and pursue her interests. At Tarrant County College (TCC) Northeast, she began taking college-level courses when she was ten years old. There, she excelled in a variety of areas, including art, history, speech, and foreign languages. At the age of 13, she graduated from TCC with an associate’s degree. The next year, she transferred to Texas Woman’s University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies at the age of 16.
The story of Monica is not only remarkable but also inspiring. Only five per cent of solicitors in the US are black, and only two per cent of black women are solicitors, according to the American Bar Association. Moreover, Monica is eight years younger than most of her contemporaries, given that the average age of US law school graduates is 27, which is 27.
The promise of homeschooling for smart and talented adolescents who might not find sufficient support or chances in traditional institutions is also shown by Monica’s narrative. Roughly 3% of pupils in the US were homeschooled in 2016, and roughly 15% of them were black, according to the National Centre for Education Statistics. Parents may decide to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons, such as discontent with academic instruction, anxiety about the school setting, and a desire for religious or moral training.
In July 2022, Monica intends to sit for the bar test and pursue a career as a criminal defence lawyer. She wants to use her expertise and abilities to aid those who are oppressed or marginalised by the judicial system. She also hopes to encourage other young people, particularly females of colour, to question the status quo and achieve their aspirations.
A wonderful example of what can be accomplished through tenacity and support from family and mentors is Monica Taylor Schlitz. She is also evidence of the advantages of exceptional individuals receiving alternative education, such as homeschooling. There are about 2.5 million homeschoolers in the US, and compared to their peers who attend public or private schools, they tend to perform better on standardised tests, have higher rates of being accepted into top colleges, and engage in their communities more.
In addition to being a leader in the legal profession, Monica serves as an inspiration for young girls everywhere. She enthusiastically demonstrates that anything is possible and that age is just a number.
