Texas Border Business
Pharr, TX – A sophomore in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) has been accepted to the University of Notre Dame’s highly competitive Summer Scholars Program. Elijah Hernandez, a PSJA North Early College High School student, will be participating in the Law course this summer.
Notre Dame Summer Scholars participants spend two intense weeks in one of 24 programs of study. Classes are small and personal attention from Notre Dame faculty is high. The coursework is a preview of college academics—it is both rigorous and rewarding, and students earn one college credit upon the completion of a program track. Due to the pandemic, this year the program will be offered online.
Hernandez is pursuing an Associate Degree in English through the PSJA ISD Early College Program in partnership with South Texas College. The 16-year-old is also part of the PSJA Pre-Law Institute and participated in the district’s University & Ivy League Summer tours in 2019.
“While I am there, I’ll be studying Law. I am blessed and honored to know that I have been selected,” said Hernandez. “PSJA is such an amazing school district and I am unbelievably honored and proud to be representing the Valley and our district.”
The Notre Dame Law course exposes Summer Scholars students to the many facets of the American legal system, according to its website. Students participate in an active investigation of the court system from both a civil and criminal law perspective. The class also investigates various areas of substantive law, including tort law, sports law, and contract law.
According to Hernandez, the caliber of education he’s received at PSJA ISD helped prepare him for the highly competitive program.
“Our rigorous curriculum has prepared me to take collegiate level classes. I know, without a doubt, that I will be able to study at Notre Dame without trouble thanks to PSJA,” said the 16-year-old. “The PSJA Pre-Law institute has also given me a better understanding of the legal field.”
First started in November 2018, the PSJA Pre-Law Institute is one of eight additional career pathways available as enrichment programs for students in 10th-12th grade attending PSJA ISD schools. Other institutes available for students include Mental Health & Human Services; Engineering; Sports Medicine; IT; Education; Entrepreneurship; and Law Enforcement.
To be selected for the prestigious program, students must be current sophomores or juniors, have a strong academic standing, be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and demonstrate a high level of maturity.
“We are so proud to see our students get accepted into highly competitive programs,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “Congratulations to Elijah on behalf of our PSJA Family!”
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