Friendsgiving With The Pre-Law Society

By Tia Porter

Members of the Pre-Law Society pose with their homemade sign (Photo by Tia Porter) 

With the holiday season approaching, the pre-law society hosted a Friendsgiving dinner, allowing students to relax and prepare for the end of the semester.

On Nov. 12, attendees were encouraged to bring their appetite and, if possible, a dish to share.  

"You don't have to be a law and justice major to join," said Josie Parker-Blue, the president of the pre-law society, and a senior majoring in law and justice.  

The event was held in a conference room in the humanities building. More than 10 members and students from outside the club gathered around the table to chat and enjoy fresh food. There were chips, sandwiches, creampuffs, donuts, and an apple pie made by the club's president. 

Apple pie baked by Josie Parker-Blue (Photo by Tia Porter) 

As the president, Parker-Blue worked with her peers to organize this gathering. The idea for a Friendsgiving dinner came from the club's faculty advisor as a way to maintain the legacy left behind by the previous president, Arlenis Marmolejos.  

Marmolejos was also the founder of the pre-law society. As a journalism and law and justice major, Marmolejos assembled the club during her senior year in 2024. Parker-Blue, who had met Marmolejos a few years ago, remains determined to help the club thrive.  

"We've been trying to keep up with our really ambitious start from last year with our former president," Parker-Blue said. "We had guest lectures all the time, but being that the e-board is currently all seniors, it's been hard for us to arrange really tight things." 

The pre-law society meets every Wednesday at 6:50 p.m. in the Social Sciences building, room 1038. Any students interested are invited to discuss topics related to law and justice, or simply study for their classes, as some members did during the Friendsgiving event. 

"We started planning a couple of weeks ago," said Sinsha Varghese, a senior, majoring in communications and minoring in law and justice. Varghese is also the secretary and treasurer of the pre-law society. 

Throughout the dinner, Varghese chatted with everyone and answered questions about the club, encouraging new members to join. 

"We have so much going on already, so much planned," said Kevon Joseph, a senior majoring in political science. He urges students who are even remotely interested to stop by and take advantage of the upcoming opportunities. "Do what you wanna do; life is short. Never say that you can't do something." 

Joseph is also the engagement coordinator, so he worked with Varghese and Parker-Blue to promote the dinner.  

"I think it's cool," Joseph added. "We're building the community." 

Next semester, the pre-law society plans to host workshops with former lawyers who currently live in Broadview, the senior living home on campus. This collaboration will allow students to network and learn more about the world of political science and criminal justice. 

"I would hope that we can make this a running tradition," Parker-Blue said. "It would be really cool to have a second one next year."

Josie Parker-Blue with a plate of food (Photo by Tia Porter)