ABQ Times

High school students participating in the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project are gaining valuable insights into their constitutional rights and legal careers. Junior Areli Garcia, a participant in the project, emphasized the importance of understanding rights when dealing with law enforcement, stating, "I would say I'm sorry, officer, but I do not consent to any searches."

The project, led by law students serving as Marshall-Brennan Fellows, aims to educate underserved high school students about their rights and inspire them to consider pursuing law careers. Maryam Ahranjani, the UNM Marshall-Brennan Faculty Director, explained, "One is to train and teach high school students about what the Constitution says with regard to their own rights as students."

The program specifically targets schools with predominantly low-income and marginalized student populations to provide them with the tools and knowledge to confidently assert their rights. Ahranjani highlighted the importance of empowering students to be critical thinkers and to respond confidently in various situations.

Quentin Gaul, a second-year law student and Marshall-Brennan Fellow, noted the program's impact on students' understanding of their rights, stating, "This program gives students tools to have a more nuanced understanding." The project has also garnered praise from judges, with Ahranjani mentioning that students have impressed judges with their arguments to the point of being mistaken for first-year attorneys.

Overall, the Marshall-Brennan project not only equips high schoolers with legal knowledge but also instills in them the confidence and skills necessary for future endeavors in law. Ahranjani expressed optimism about the program's success, attributing it to the alignment between law students' eagerness to serve communities and the lack of constitutional and civic knowledge in high schools.

The project serves as a platform for students to explore their potential in the legal field and consider pursuing careers in law. Through initiatives like the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, high school students are empowered to understand and exercise their constitutional rights, paving the way for a more informed and confident generation.