Holmes Association Of Legal Students

HOLMES COMMUNITYCOLLEGE–RIDGELAND CAMPUSSPECIALPOINTS OFINTEREST: Students winstatewide contests Graduation HALS Speakers Metro LegalProfessionalsAssociationINSIDETHIS ISSUE:Field Trip2Student Activities2-5Graduation6-7Fall Fest/Spring Fling5HALS Speak- 8-9ersMetro LPA1011ParalegalAward12Holmes Associationof Legal StudentsV O L U M E7F A L L / S P R I N G2 0 1 5 - 1 6HOLMES CC PARALEGAL STUDENTS PLACE 1ST, 2ND, AND3RD IN MISSISSIPPI PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION STUDENTESSAY CONTESTFor the 6th year, HolmesCommunity College Paralegal Technology studentshave placed in the Mississippi Paralegal Association’s Student Essay Contest. 1st place winner, Rachel Munoz, 2nd placewinner, Alyse Nichols, and3rd place winner, AlexisBridges, representedHolmes in this annual contest. All three won a cashaward, one year’s freemembership to MPA, anda year’s subscription toFacts & Findings, thequarterly publication fromthe National Associationof Legal Association.Students from all over thestate were invited to submit essays about whatarea of law they wouldlike to work in and why.We are very proud of Rachel, Alyse, and Alexis.Pictured above: Rachel Munoz,Darleen Dozier (Paralegal Director), and Alexis Bridges.Not pictured: Alyse Nichols2016 Paralegal GraduateReceives the Metro Legal ProfessionalsAssociation StudentRachel Munoz, May 2016 graduate in the ParalegalTechnology program, was awarded a Student Scholarship by the Metro Legal Professionals Association.

PAGE2DOWNTOWN JACKSON Holmes Paralegal Students Travel To Jackson for ToursOn October 15,2016, studentstraveled to downtown Jackson, Mississippi to tour theOld Capitol Museum and the MS Supreme Court. We weregreeted by Justice JimKitchens, who showedstudents the SupremeCourt Chambers wherecurrent cases are heard.He gave an interestinglecture on the history ofthe court and types ofcases the court can hear.The next stop was to theOld Capitol Museum,which portrays a historyof Mississippi government and includes a history of the building itself.Students toured roomswhere debates regardingsecession from the Uniontook place, where various laws regarding African Americans and wom-HOLMESen were discussed, and where the original MS SupremeCourt library was located.This was a great day of learning outside the classroom environment for the students.ASSOCIATIONO FLEGALSTUDENTS

VOLUME7PAGECOMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTSRidgeland Trunk or Treat—Holmes paralegalstudents and graduates participate each year inthe city-wide event, playing games with localchildren and handing out candy as they come by.Students who are unable to attend collect candyfor donations, as thousands of children comethrough the lines each year.Holmes Paralegal students partnered with MetroLegal Professionals Association to gather food andhousehold items for the Southern Christian Servicefor Children and Youth. They donated the itemsduring the 2016 “Meet-n-Greet”, held by MetroLPA in March.3

PAGE4Community Service—continued Students and their families put together over 100 personally-made Valentines to be distributed to shut-in residents in the Hattiesburg, MS area.Students attend Mississippi ParalegalAssociation—Fall 2015 SeminarHOLMESASSOCIATIONO FLEGALSTUDENTS

VOLUME7PAGEResume WorkshopStudents participated in a Resume Workshop, whereby a counselor advised them on proper ways to work up their resumes and cover letters inorder to impress future employers. Spring Fling 2015 HALS students participated in Spring Fling during theApril festivities on the Ridgeland Campus.5

PAGE6GRADUATION—MAY 2016The Paralegal Technology program was wellrepresented again on May 13, 2016 as Holmes Community College celebrated it’s 2015-2016 Commencement Services. This graduating class had the largestnumber to return and march in the commencement ceremony and we had a great time!HOLMESASSOCIATIONO FLEGALSTUDENTS

VOLUME7More graduation fun.PAGE2015-2016 GraduatesMarching:Cate BarnesLynn DilmoreMark HaldermanWalter HiggsJake HolderAudrey ManorBrittney MilesGreg MitchellAlyse NicholsWendy ParhamBrittney RobersonChasity RobinsonAndrew TaylorEven the staff had a great time.Not-Marching:Kristi DawsonDeanna DeanLauren HarrisonSusan JenkinsKatelyn JohnsonNicole LewallenJessica MarsmanPaden MartinJessica McKeeAlexandria McLemoreRachel MunozGetarah ShepardVictoria Swinney7

PAGE8HALS October Meeting—Latonya Allen .Chancery Court Court ReporterLatonya Allen, Court Reporter for theChancery Court of Madison County,talked with the group about her legalcareer and various titles and responsibilities she’s hadover the years.HALS January Meeting—Craig Robertson, Esq.Family LawCraig Robertson, Esq. talked with usabout his family law practice. He explained Mississippi laws as it involvesdivorce, child custody, and child support.HALS January Meeting—Lane Lowther MS Foreclosure LawHOLMESASSOCIATIONO FLEGALSTUDENTSLane Lowther, HCC Paralegalgraduate, returned to discusshis work in foreclosure law.Other graduates who returned to hear him were Nikki Jones, Valerie Wiley, Kimberly Warren, and ManishChatlani.

PAGEVOLUME7HALS March Meeting—Dylan Singleton, Director of Operations andDylan Singleton, HCC Paralegal Graduate, talked with thegroup about the positions he’s held with the ACLU sincegraduation. He explained the importance of learning allaspects of an organization and being able to excel in each,thereby giving one an advantage in moving up.HALS April Meeting—Shawn McKee, IT Director of Copeland Cook Taylor &Bush, PLLCShawn McKee talked with the group about the importance of securitywhile working on computerized equipment, both in and out of the lawfirm. Students were educated on the various way hackers attempt toget into law firms data bases and what employees of all levels can doto alleviate these efforts.Civil Litigation Special GuestChristy Roberts, ParalegalChristy Roberts joined the Civil Litigation II class toshare about her experiences with appeals courts. Shegave hints for working through the appeals process andexamples of situations that went right, and those thatwent wrong. Students loved hearing scenarios of cases9

Metro Legal Professional’s AssociationDarleen Dozier, full-time instructor in the Paralegal Technology programat Holmes Community College, was inducted as President of Metro LPAin April. Members of this group work in various position in the legalfield. They meet monthly for continuing legal education and networking.They are also involved in community service projects. Professionalsworking in any aspect of the legal field are welcome to join.2016-2017 Executive Board of Metro LPAFront row: Terri Spurk, VP; Darleen Dozier,President; Wayne Watkins, Induction OfficerBack Row: Renee Dean, Director; Lynn Gibbs,Treasurer; Roz Solis-Champion, Secretary;Frankie Springer, ParliamentarianTerri Spurk and Frankie Springer are HolmesCC Paralegal GraduatesWayne Watkins is immediate past Director ofCareer-Technical Programs at Holmes Community CollegeThe induction ceremony was conducted by WayneWatkins, immediate past Director of CareerTechnical Programs at Holmes Community College.He, along with his wife, Jackie Watkins, were personal guests of Ms. Dozier for the ceremony.Left: Lee Cummings, Holmes CC Paralegal Studentand member of Metro LPA, read the Code of Ethicsof the organization to begin the ceremony.

Current students joinedin on the induction ceremony to support Ms.Dozier.Pictured left: JaylonRobinson and AngelaRowlandPictured right: AndreaOlmedo and KeeganEllzeyHolmes Community CollegeParalegal graduates join Metro LPA in 2015. Picturedleft: Terri Spurk, DarleenDozier (Paralegal programDirector), Veleanor Ballard,Kimberly Warren, JacquelineThomas (2015-2016 MetroLPA President).Terri Spurk receives the 2016 Award ofExcellence Award with Metro LPA.Terri is representing Holmes well as aparalegal graduate.Terri SPurk and Darleen Dozier attend the MSLegal Professionals Association statewidemeeting in September 2016.

The 2016 Holmes Community College Paralegal Technology Awardwas presented in April to JakeHolden. Jake was chosen becauseof his leadership qualities amongother students, participation inHALS activities, and the overallhard work he exhibited throughouthis education.Congratulations Jake on receivingthis award!HOLMES ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL STUDENTSThe Holmes Association of Legal Students (HALS) meets once each month to either takecare of internal business or hold educational meetings. It’s the belief of HALS FacultySponsor, Darleen Dozier, that in addition to education, it’s important for students to learnhow to participate in activities on a national, statewide and local level. HALS is affiliatedwith the National Association of Legal Assistants and adheres to its Canons of EthicalStandards. HALS also participates in luncheons and seminars sponsored by the Mississippi Paralegal Association. Throughout this newsletter, readers will be exposed to activitiesHALS members and paralegal students participate in that enhance their education. HALSis an active group of paralegal students that strive to improve overall education throughstudies, as well as community service.

pi Paralegal Association. Throughout this newsletter, readers will be exposed to activities HALS members and paralegal students participate in that enhance their education. HALS is an active group of paralegal students that strive to improve overall