Hakeem Smith is a sophomore sociology major with a minor in political science and criminology.

“I have a passion not only for law, but law enforcement,” Smith said. “All my life, I’ve always wanted to help serve the greater good when it comes to peoples’ rights.

Even if it’s on the streets of Chicago or the panther trail of EIU, law is in my blood and heart, and becoming a part of the supreme court would help me strive for better things in the end.”

Having taken pre-law classes since high school, Smith believes that the passion he harbors for pursuing a career in the justice system will enable him to ensure that every students’ rights are upheld.

“This can be done by making sure the student body constitution is being interpreted in the right ways, and making sure there is no one part excluded in the interpretation,” Smith said.

If elected to the student supreme court, Smith, who favors a loose interpretation of the student body constitution, does not anticipate that every situation he would encounter will be the same in the courtroom, and therefore intends to tailor his interpretation to each specific case.

“Our constitution is one of the most important factors in how we spend our time at EIU,” Smith said. “I know I will bring great passion to making sure our constitution is upheld to the fullest of my abilities.”

Erica Whelan can be reached at 581-7942 or elwhelan@eiu.edu.

To see the main story, click here.

To read about student supreme court applicant Jose Alarcon, click here.

To read about student supreme court applicant Molly Button, click here.