On May 21, 2022, attorneys Kali deVlaming and Donna Boonchit had the pleasure of assisting with a very special moot court competition for middle and high school students. The competition was hosted by Youth Development Initiatives Inc. (YDI), a comprehensive inter-generational mentoring program serving youth between the ages of 10 and 18 with a special emphasis on recruitment and intake of youth at the 6th-grade level. The program is designed to promote health and wellness, build self-esteem, develop leadership skills, and help the students achieve success in school, the community, and life.

Kali and Donna first met with this group of students back on April 2nd when YDI held a forum to give the students the basics of courtroom decorum and get them on the right track in preparing for their moot court arguments. Being able to assist these incredible students and help them experience the legal system in a positive light is very rewarding. Special thanks to Pinellas County Judge James Pierce and Dr. Joseph Smiley, St. Petersburg College Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences who spearheaded this event and gave us the opportunity to be a part of it.