At 15 years old, Parker Rhoades was frustrated by her education. Feeling unchallenged by the curriculum and with no room to grow academically, she withdrew from the ninth grade and thought trade school might be a good alternative. However, Rhoades quickly realized that her age would prevent her from attending. With limited opportunities available to pursue, she essentially took a gap year to figure out her next steps. Then one day, inspiration struck. She saw “Hamilton: An American Musical.”
“My friends forced me to watch the musical ‘Hamilton,’ and I was soon inspired by the story. I began researching the real history behind it and our Constitution. I found myself wanting to uphold and enforce the Constitution—to contribute to my country in meaningful ways,” Rhoades says. “It was a combination of factors that led me to law school, but this sticks out as the most important. Plus, I have a natural inclination toward thinking in systems of rules.”
Rhoades had to wait until she turned 16 to complete her GED and then focused on pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science at Southern New Hampshire University. It took her only 17 months to complete, and she graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Not wanting to leave home or place heavy financial burdens on her family, Rhoades chose to attend the S.J. Quinney College of Law. Utah Law doesn’t impose an application age requirement, and she appreciates the college’s supportive community.
“Utah Law focuses on helping others in spite of the generally competitive nature of law school. I like that there are so many opportunities available for people to seek help and to engage with others,” Rhoades says.
In addition, she’s enjoyed her classes and the challenge they bring.
“So far, I’ve really enjoyed how kind and helpful my professors are! I also like that the year begins by covering the most relevant civil law subjects—it’s a positive attribute of the program,” Rhoades says. “But I wish I had understood beforehand how much work I would need to put into this program.”
While growing up, Rhoades and her family had some experiences with the criminal justice system, so she is keen to build a career in criminal defense. She also has a passion for education policy, particularly in competency-based public education.
“I spent a large portion of my childhood seeing people have their lives ruined due to (sometimes baseless) accusations for terrible things. I often found that I was the only one willing to consider other explanations for a person’s conduct or alleged conduct, and the right to a defense became extremely important to me,” she says.
There are many historical figures that Rhoades admires as role models, but she specifically notes two women who have inspired her with their stories: Adrienne de Lafayette and Caroline Bonaparte.
“Adrienne de Lafayette, wife of the famous ‘hero of two worlds’ Marquis de Lafayette, has inspired me with her courage and commitment. Her story reminds me to stand by those I care for and to fight for what is right even when it is difficult or dangerous,” Rhoades says. “And though she’s not quite a moral exemplar, Caroline Bonaparte demonstrated the ability to navigate political power structures, and her story emphasizes the importance of understanding different modes and sources of power, something that is significant in the legal system.”
Law school may have its challenging and frustrating moments ahead, but for now, Rhoades sees her path moving forward.
“I chose to attend law school so I could become an attorney and advocate for those who might otherwise struggle to find representation. I also want to pursue public policy issues and use constitutional philosophy to improve my country and my state,” she says.
Check out this ABC 4 news story about Parker’s law school experience.