As part of orientation for incoming students, High Point Law students stepped outside the classroom to serve their new community during the law school’s Community Service Day. Students volunteered at five organizations throughout the High Point area: Big Brothers Big Sisters, D-UP Inc., Macedonia Family Resource Center, The Arc of High Point and the Boys & Girls Club. The day provided students with an opportunity to give back while getting to know their new classmates and beginning their law school experience with a commitment to service.
Professor Natt Gantt emphasized the importance of both community engagement and building connections among the incoming class. He said, “Our Community Service Day is a fun way for students to serve our community and get to know their new classmates. Our students served faithfully at five sites throughout the High Point area, and I hope they continue to have a heart for service during their time at the law school and into their future career.”
For many students, the experience demonstrated how meaningful even small acts of service can be. At the Macedonia Family Resource Center, students worked to create a more organized and accessible space for the community. Gabby Edwards reflected on the experience and said, “Service Day was a great opportunity to give back to the community while seeing how even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference. I enjoyed working alongside my classmates to help create a more organized and accessible space for everyone at the Macedonia Family Resource Center.”
Students volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club also saw the day as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the next generation. Georgia Grace Snead shared, “Volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club has reminded me that serving others is one of the most meaningful ways to make a lasting impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to support and empower the next generation while giving back to my community.”
By incorporating service into orientation, High Point Law is reinforcing that the legal profession is more than the study of law. It is also about people, communities, and the responsibility to use one’s education and skills to make a positive difference. Community Service Day gave the incoming class an opportunity to start their law school journey together—by serving others.
Founding Dean and former NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin said,
“Service is an important part of becoming a lawyer because it reminds us that our profession is ultimately about serving people and strengthening our communities. I am proud of the way our incoming students embraced this opportunity to give back, build relationships with one another, and begin their High Point Law journey with a spirit of service.”