Jade Caballero, a recent graduate of Sherman High School, is preparing for a dual transition into higher education and the legal profession. She will attend Austin College on a scholarship this fall and simultaneously begin a paid position at the law firm where she completed a senior-year internship. Caballero is the first student from Sherman High to move from the school-sponsored internship program into an official employment role with the firm.
The internship program, taught by criminal law instructor Michele Watson, requires students to spend two hours a day, four days a week working in the community. Participants gain hands-on experience by collaborating with local law enforcement agencies or legal professionals. Caballero chose to work with attorneys, a decision she confirmed after experiencing a demanding day at the office that solidified her interest in the field.
Linzie Roesler, the attorney who mentored Caballero and now employs her, described the young woman as exceptional and intelligent. Roesler stated her goal is to teach Caballero how to succeed as an attorney and as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She noted that Caballero’s work ethic is impressive for her age and that she possesses a maturity beyond her years.
Caballero credited her parents for her drive, noting that her mother worked nights as a nurse and her father was frequently on call. She expressed a desire to make them proud through her achievements. Watson, the teacher who facilitated the opportunity, remarked that securing a paid position with real-world experience at age 17 or 18 is rare. She praised Caballero’s self-discipline and motivation, predicting she will excel in her future endeavors.
As she prepares for her next chapter, Caballero acknowledged that the legal profession will present challenges. She plans to rely on perseverance when facing difficult moments. Both her teacher and her new boss offered advice for her career path. Watson urged her to maintain her integrity and ethics, while Roesler advised her to remain resilient and persistent.
