Nearly 20 students complete All Rise Summer Law Camp

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — 

Approximately 20 students participated in the All Rise Summer Law Camp which ended June 5. The camp closed with a mock trial involving a case of student First Amendment rights followed by the awards and closing ceremony.

Feedback from parents and students who attended the camp has been positive. Tawina Edwards-Dotson said her son learned a lot during the week.

“I know he enjoyed it because he doesn’t talk much, but he’s still talking about last week’s events this week,” she said on her Facebook page. “He’s always aspired to be an attorney, but during the mock trial he served as one of the presiding judges…so now ‘judge’ has officially been added to his career path.”

The weeklong camp exposed students to law from the perspective of the three branches of government. In addition to meeting various local, state and federal government officials and members of the Warren County Bar Association, students also learned more about their community during a ride on the Vicksburg Trolley which made stops at the Vicksburg Civil War Museum, the Strand Theatre and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. They also visited the Old Courthouse Museum. The students participated in workshops on topics such as human trafficking, substance abuse prevention, bullying, leadership, service and character. The United Way of West Central Mississippi sponsored a half-day community service project centered around “Heroic Leadership.”

Fun moments included a law-based scavenger hunt and a visit to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and State Capitol.

This program is financially assisted by the Warren County Young Lawyers and The Mississippi Bar Foundation, lnc. Additional support was provided by Officer James Lee and MNM Enterprises LLC.

The camp is organized and offered each year through the office of Ninth District Circuit Judge Toni Walker Terrett. Attorney Robert Arledge served as co-chair of the camp for the second consecutive year.

“The All Rise Law Camp is truly a labor of love,” Terrett said. “I am happy to have played a role in providing a positive outlet for the youth who participated. The week was packed with information that I hope will be helpful to them in school and everyday life.”

Registration for the 2027 All Rise Law Camp begins in April 2027.