Archmere Student Learns About Law During Internship

In addition to assisting with basic office duties like filing and answering the phone, Kenny has spent time in court observing Landlord/Tenant and Bankruptcy trials. On one of his first visits to the Court, the judge met with Kenny and explained to him how he determines decisions. Kenny has enjoyed the court time and has learned from the interactions. He commented he witnessed a Landlord and Tenant arguing in court trial about roaches and back rent but that he could definitely see the Tenant was not prepared and why the Court sided with the Landlord. “The Tenant didn’t keep up with the rent and fought the Landlord.”

During his court visits, Kenny learned about the work the lawyers and paralegals do, how they get their information for trial, and what they take with them to court. He has also learned about bankruptcy, that not everyone qualifies for bankruptcy and that it is handled in court differently than other cases. Additionally, Kenny learned about Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, their intake process and how their organization determines if someone qualifies for LSCD services. The Staff at LSCD enjoyed having Kenny there as an Intern. “It’s been a win-win situation, Kenny is a perfect fit” says Karen Klele, Executive Administrator at LSCD. “He has so much potential, a lot to offer and it’s been a rewarding experience for all of us. Other organizations should do this, it’s great – the students come to you and they learn a lot. We wanted to give him an experience of what it would be like as if he were an attorney” remarked Karen. Kenny believes his internship was beneficial and he wants to continue learning about law. He is a Senior at Archmere Academy and is scheduled for

Criminal Justice and Psychology next Semester. He plans to Major in Political Science and Minor in English in College with the goal to be a lawyer.

Kenny has been with the MWUL Achievement Matters Project Ready Program for almost 3 years, which he joined through his cousin Brandy McDonald. When asked what he likes most about the MWUL program. Kenny states “The community service part and giving back – volunteering! I volunteered at the Kidney Walk, I gave out water and t-shirts, and I helped out at the MWUL Men’s Health Conference in December. It’s very fun.” Kenny also enjoys the variety of the programming. He especially liked the Student Health Career Options Program (SCHOP) and the Business Workshop Competition. The SCHOP Program detailed the Medical Community and its various Occupations. The students visited St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, toured the facility, met with the staff and learned the hands-on duties to learn about real world training in the medical profession. The students were also required to select and research a current medical career; Kenny wrote a report on the occupation of a Chiropractor. For the Business Workshop Competition, he participated with his younger brother Corey, 14, and they won. They had to create a business. They created a Hot Dog Cart business which they still run today at local baseball games.

When he is not in school or at the MWUL, Kenny works at Arby’s as a Cashier and volunteers for other organizations. He is the Blood Drive Director of Blood Bank of Delmarva for his school, and also volunteers for FACE AIDS, an organization whose mission is to fight HIV/AIDS by building a movement of young leaders dedicated to global health equity and social justice. And as the oldest brother of 4 children, he helps out at home when he can. In what spare time he has, Kenny reads, follows fashion and likes photography. After talking to Kenny, I was not at all amazed that the personality test indicated a lawyer was a goodfit. He’s an intelligent, well-rounded, active young man who will go far in life and whatever occupation he chooses.

- Submitted by Sharon Boland, Citi Community Development, Program Manager

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