Grace Mills and Kendyl Swank make history as first student campaigners in Astonishing Advocate Campaign
Grace Mills and Kendyl Swank, rising third-year law students at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, have made history as the first student campaigners in the Dauphin County Bar Foundation’s Astonishing Advocate Campaign. Their trailblazing efforts have not only raised significant funds for the We Care About Children Fund but have also set a new standard for student involvement in the legal community.
“Grace and Kendyl have stepped up as true leaders, not only at Widener Law Commonwealth, but also in our local legal community as student members of the Dauphin County Bar Association,” said Nicole R. Antos, assistant dean of career development. Antos currently serves on the DCBA board of directors and is a past president of the foundation. “With students like Grace and Kendyl not only showing up at association events, but also willingly stepping out of their comfort zone to make a difference in our local community, I know the future of DCBA is in good hands.”
From April 27 to July 22, Mills and Swank joined other Astonishing Advocates to raise $51,313 for the We Care About Children Fund. Their efforts alone contributed an impressive $6,957. The campaign aims to provide free legal services to children and families in need of assistance with family law matters.
Dean andré douglas pond cummings praised their dedication, saying, “Grace and Kendyl were able to provide such meaningful service through their terrific efforts to raise funds for children in Dauphin County. We are proud of them and recognize their contributions to the community. They are true ambassadors of the law school through this initiative and we are grateful for their hearts for service.”
The students were approached in March by Antos with the opportunity to participate. “Dean Antos wanted students involved to grab the attention and spread awareness to people from the community who aren’t normally as involved,” said Swank. “We thought this would be a great way to begin giving back to the legal community at a young age, creating a foundation for ourselves now to lean on and remember when we begin practicing.”
Mills and Swank organized a standout fundraising event—a “Mr. DCBA” contest featuring six prominent men from the Dauphin County legal community. “The most memorable moment for us was watching each of our contestants have so much genuine fun performing and spending time with one another, as well as watching the crowd laugh along with their fellow colleagues and friends. It was surely a night to remember,” Mills reflected.
Balancing their heavy academic and extracurricular commitments, Mills and Swank meticulously planned their campaign activities. Both are deeply involved in Trial Advocacy, Law Review, and work as teaching and research assistants for multiple professors. Their campaign officially kicked off during law school finals, requiring careful planning to stay ahead. “We kicked into high gear immediately after finals, meeting with multiple people after work or on weekends to plan events and traveling to different businesses for fundraising purposes while both working full-time during the summer,” said Swank. “Being busy during the campaign forced us to keep our priorities in line and maintain good time management.”
Antos highlighted the importance of networking and involvement in the legal community. “I remember introducing Grace and Kendyl to colleagues at the DCBA annual picnic last year, some of whom would go on to be Mr. DCBA contestants. To see two of our students accept the challenge to participate in this campaign and be recognized for their contributions as Astonishing Advocates at the same event one year later was a proud moment, for sure,” she said. “I cannot wait to see what is next for these two rock stars, and wonder who might step up to follow in their footsteps.”
Their advice to fellow students is to step out of their comfort zones and engage with the legal community. “Networking can seem scary and intimidating when you don’t know anyone yet, but we could not have successfully participated in this campaign without the support of people we met through networking,” said Swank. “Without taking that scary first step, you aren’t aware of the network of support and encouragement that is in your own community. Any step after that is much easier.”
Mills and Swank’s participation in the Astonishing Advocate Campaign has not only set a precedent for future WLC students but also highlighted the impact that dedicated and passionate law students can have on their community. Their pioneering efforts have paved the way for future student involvement, showcasing the profound difference that can be made when students step up and lead.
