Around 350 eighth-grade and high school students from Tyler ISD stepped out of their regular classrooms and into a discussion of law and civic leadership on September 17, attending a Constitution Day event at The University of Texas at Tyler. The annual event, hosted by the Smith County Bar Foundation in partnership with Tyler ISD, UT Tyler, Tyler Junior College, and Texas College, offered students an opportunity to explore the U.S. Constitution and the legal system.
Students explored how these foundational subjects connect to potential college pathways, future careers, and their emerging roles as community leaders in Tyler and Smith County. Leigh Hunt Goodson, an attorney with The Goodson Firm, P.C. and a member of the Smith County Bar Foundation, stated that Constitution Day serves as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders by enhancing student understanding of the rights, responsibilities, and freedoms protected by the Constitution. The Smith County Bar Foundation emphasized its pride in collaborating with local schools and higher education institutions to deliver civic education experiences to students across Smith County.
Carl Smallwood, director of the Divided Community Project at The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, served as the featured speaker. He engaged students in a dynamic discussion focusing on legal topics, prompting them to think critically about constitutional principles and how legal frameworks affect their daily lives. Smallwood expressed his hope that students would be inspired to understand and value constitutional principles, to navigate differences effectively, and to build trust, ultimately participating actively as members in their schools and broader communities.
Among the participants were students from Tyler ISD’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. This program is designed to prepare students for success in college, careers, and life by developing essential skills such as critical thinking, organization, collaboration, inquiry, and academic confidence.
Dr. Bobby Markle, executive director of 1882 Partnerships at UT Tyler, noted that Constitution Day forms a bedrock in the community for promoting civics education, the legal profession, and the critical importance of the constitutional republic rooted in the nation’s founding document. He acknowledged the partnership between UT Tyler and the Smith County Bar Foundation for welcoming the Tyler ISD students to the event. Markle further explained that through such partnerships with organizations like the Smith County Bar Foundation and local higher education institutions, Tyler ISD consistently expands learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom settings. These initiatives introduce students to the individuals, places, and professions that shape their community. Experiences like Constitution Day are intended to give students a chance to explore new possibilities, ask meaningful questions, and discover potential pathways they may wish to pursue in the future.
The Constitution Day event at UT Tyler was part of a broader Constitution Week observance throughout the city and Smith County, which ran from September 17 to September 23, featuring various student education opportunities. These ongoing collaborations aim to ensure that students remain engaged with the principles of the U.S. Constitution and understand their role in civic life.
