Becoming the Students of St. Thomas More

Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School recently celebrated a significant milestone for the St. Thomas More Pathway to Law — a special induction ceremony marking the successful completion of the program’s inaugural year.

Held in the school library, the ceremony gathered students, faculty, administrators, board members, and alumni to recognize the scholars who have spent the year immersed in the study of law, ethics, public speaking, and the pursuit of justice. The event served not as a beginning, but as a proud capstone to a year of growth, challenge, and achievement.

As student scholars, Nathalie Moore and Zion Gibson reflected in their account of the day:

“There’s a moment in every journey where you stop being someone who wants to be something and start being someone who is something. For the scholars of the St. Thomas More Pathway to Law, that moment arrived on a Wednesday morning in late May.”

The ceremony began with a welcome from program director, Mr. Thomas Callahan, and a moving recitation of the Lawyer’s Prayer to St. Thomas More, patron saint of lawyers and statesmen. Standing together, voices united; students prayed for integrity, courage, and faithfulness to conscience — a powerful reminder that the study of law at Loughlin is grounded not only in intellect, but in moral responsibility.

Brother Dennis Cronin, FSC, delivered the President’s Address, affirming the importance of forming young men and women committed to justice rooted in faith. Mr. Andrew Leary then introduced the keynote speaker, alumna Ms. Shania Felix, Esq. ’13.

Ms. Felix (below) shared her journey from Loughlin to John Jay College and Pace Law School (Class of 2020), and into her work as a prosecutor in the Bronx and trial attorney at Morgan & Morgan.

She spoke candidly about navigating professional spaces not historically built with someone like her in mind, emphasizing that representation matters and perseverance opens doors. Her message to the scholars was clear: success is built through discipline and daily commitment.

As she told them: “Consistency is how you make it.”

A highlight of the morning was the bestowing of the official St. Thomas More Pathway to Law pullovers. Presented by Ms. Berzok, Ms. Reyes, and Mr. Callahan, the navy-blue sweatshirts bearing the program’s logo symbolized the scholars’ hard work and dedication throughout the year. Pride was evident on every face — not simply for completing a program, but for embracing the responsibility it represents.

The ceremony concluded with thoughtful remarks from Pamela M. Sloan, Esq. (below), current member of the Bishop Loughlin Board and proud alumna of the great Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School, Class of 1973. A founding partner in her firm, Ms. Sloan offered wisdom forged through decades in the legal profession: “Be smart enough to admit what you don’t know. That’s real courage.”

She also highlighted The Scales of Justice Academy for Young Women, founded by Bronx County Supreme Court Justice La Tia W. Martin, reminding students that every decision in the legal profession carries weight — that every action tips something, somewhere.

In a generous gesture, Ms. Sloan gifted the scholars books on Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and St. Thomas More, encouraging them to study the lives of those who shaped the law with conviction and courage.

The St. Thomas More Pathway to Law, made possible through the generosity of Mr. Hugh Cornyn ’48, has already demonstrated the impact of combining academic rigor with ethical formation. This first year has laid a strong foundation for future cohorts who will follow in these scholars’ footsteps.

As Nathalie and Zion so powerfully concluded: “We walked out before 11:15 AM, new pullovers in hand and new fire in our chests.”

Quoting St. Thomas More — “I die the king’s good servant, and God’s first” — they captured the spirit of the day: “On Wednesday, we became his students, and we’re just getting started.”

With one successful year completed, the St. Thomas More Pathway to Law stands as a testament to what happens when faith, scholarship, and justice meet — and its future is bright.