WEST PALM BEACH – On Tuesday, February 12th more than seventy community professionals joined students of The King’s Academy as the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program kicked-off its Speaker Series. Mr. Scott Bullock, the lead attorney for Susette Kelo in the landmark case of Kelo v. City of New London, was the guest speaker for this inaugural event held in the Page Family Center for Performing Arts.
The event was met with unanimous praise and interest by our students and professionals alike. Through the Speaker Series events, the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies program brings high-caliber speakers from the local to the national level to address King’s students and the professional community on current legal issues and Constitutional concerns. This speaker series is the type of experience that makes the Constitution accessible to King’s students and guests by hearing from renowned speakers with real-life learning experiences that can impact generations of thinking. It allows the school to expose students to living examples of how powerful advocacy can effectuate positive change.
“The O’Keeffe Pre-Law Speaker Series got off to a strong start today with nationally recognized attorney Scott Bullock, President of the Institute for Justice. Mr. Bullock’s presentation was informative and inspirational, and conveyed the importance of standing up for your Constitutional rights,” commented Denise Brown, Esq., O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program Director at The King’s Academy.
Mr. Bullock shared general remarks and the background of the Kelo case as the program opened. Clips from the feature film “Little Pink House” were played with commentary by Bullock following each clip. Guests actively engaged in an interactive question and answer session that was moderated by Mrs. Brown which allowed students and guests to ask insightful questions that furthered the understanding of the Fifth Amendment Takings Clause.
“The first event for the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Speaker Series was an inspiring event for an aspiring attorney like me as it made law come to life on such a personal scale,” said Benjamin Peifer, senior at King’s. “It also made me aware of the importance for all U.S. Citizens to know their constitutional rights and be able to stand up for them when necessary.”
“We are encouraged by the growth of the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies program, as we get to share principles of our law and legal system—including Constitutional principles—with our next generation of lawyers, policy makers, and informed citizens. The King’s Academy is so grateful for the generous support of the program by the Esther B. O’Keeffe Charitable Foundation,” commented Mrs. Rosario Larson, TKA’s Director of Development.
For more information about The King’s Academy or the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies program, contact the Director of Admissions Amy Cuomo at 561-686-4244.
The King’s Academy is a National Blue Ribbon School for Excellence in Education. The private Christian school serves approximately 1,500 students from preschool through twelfth grade and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.
The King’s Academy serves students and their families across Palm Beach County at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way in West Palm Beach and its satellite preschool campuses in Greenacres, Loxahatchee/Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton Beach, and Royal Palm Beach. More information about The King’s Academy is available online at http://www.TKA.net .
PHOTOS:
Collene Walter from Urban Design Kilday Studios, Herb Kahlert form Karl Corporation and Ms. Linda Powell
Mr. Scott Bullock along with TKA Students Tyler Chin-Lenn, Danielle Dryer, and Brenna Dunn
Mr. Scott Bullock, lead attorney for Susette Kelo in the landmark case of Kelo v. City of New London
Press release credit: Shelby Kimpel, The King’s Academy Director of Marketing
