Vincent Iannuzzi-Sucich ’24, a recent graduate of The Storm King School, has taken proactive steps to advance his post-secondary studies and future career by independently studying his area of interest—law. “I have always been fascinated by law, especially immigration law and the various implications of habeas corpus,” Vincent explained. “I requested independent study because I wanted to gain first-hand knowledge in the field of law and be well-prepared for college.”

Vincent’s semester-long study began when he partnered with SKS’ history and social sciences teacher, Ms. Courtney Sutter, JD, who mentored him throughout the process. “At the start, the most important thing was to set goals and then plan the course of study together with Vincent to reach his objectives,” explained Ms. Sutter. “Vincent chose to delve into federal habeas corpus and how it applies to American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States. The subjects he chose were complex areas of law, even for seasoned professionals.”

Ms. Sutter emphasized the necessity of establishing clear objectives and planning the course of study to effectively guide Vincent toward his goals. “Vincent’s plan included reading various books, cases, and treatises on habeas corpus. We met once a week initially, then almost every day toward the end of the semester. Vincent’s end product was a complex, 20-page legal brief. It was very well done and serves as an excellent example for the future.”

Upon the study’s conclusion, Vincent presented his legal findings to the community, fielding questions about his project and future career aspirations. Armed with this new knowledge, Vincent is poised to begin the pre-law program at American University in Washington, DC, this fall. Congratulations!