ORJ Magazine

ORJ THE SPECIAL EDITION VERDICT PG. 6THE THETRIAL CELEBRATION PG. 3 PG.7 THE O.J. TRIAL : 3YEARS LATER 1

This magazine is dedicated to my heroes. In some way oranother, you sacrificed so that I could shine. I will forever be grateful. -ORJ

“THE TRIAL”“Reflecting back on the last three years of law school,I know for sure that if it is his will, it’s his bill. God will nev-er lead you to a place and not sustain you while you’re there”says the upcoming graduate. When asked to describe his Orlando is no stranger to overcoming obstacles!!! Injourney through law school, he described it as being rough the interview, he told us that no one knew that but he struggledand rocky but rewarding. “I can honestly say, I am a bet- with the LSAT for maybe two years before getting admitted intoter man in all areas of my life because of this experience.” law school. “The last time I took the exam, I remember going into the exam saying,” Lord, if it be your will, grant it be.” I re-Orlando credits his lifelong passions of seeking to helping oth- ceived my results; however, I still missed the mark. I previouslyers and to make a difference in his environment which sparked worked as a paralegal at Jinks, Crow and Dickson and I was priv-his desire to become an attorney. “This past year, my 6th grade ileged to meet Mr. Greg Allen. He was a highly respected alum-teacher Ms. Tracey Rodgers displayed a picture of me at our nus of the Jones School of Law. So, I contacted Atty. Lynn Jinks6th grade Career Day. I dressed as an attorney carrying a tan and he made the connection between the two us. The next daybriefcase that was given to by Mrs. Jane May, my 3rd grade I was in his office and he agreed to write me a recommendationteacher. I totally had forgotten about this life changing event. letter. Within a couple of days, I was admitted into the law school.During my undergraduate studies, I changed majors maybetwice. While sleeping, I had a dream where I saw an index card “My second semester of my first year, I unexpectedly lostwith the word attorney displayed. From that moment on I real- my step-father, who had been in my life since adolescence. This wasized that God was directing me for the plan he had for my life.” the man that taught me how to drive and life as a man in general. The experience was extremely difficult. I was grieving but also trying to support my mother. As a result of this, I failed a class that semester, which caused my GPA to drop below the required GPA. I was aca- demicallyreleasedfromtotheprogram.Throughprayer,mediation, and spiritual guidance, I reapplied and within two semesters God allowed me to raise my GPA to far above the school’s requirement.“Where there is a passion, there is a purpose. The moment an individual attempt to do life alone will Where there is a vision, there is a plan. become the moment failure is embraced’, says Orlando. “A Where there is a plan, there is a change.” strong support system is key to any life-changing experience. -ORJ So many of my family and friends have encouraged me along the way but my mother, grandmothers, great-aunt Cora, cous- in, Lynetta and BEST FRIEND Jessica have really been the driving force behind me achieving this goal. They made sure I never went without.” Smiling, he describes them as TEAM OJ. When asked what is next for the graduate, he simply replied, “more studying, the bar exam and then a much-needed vacation.”

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. -Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)ORJ ‘18

T“ he ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, butwhere he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

‘THE VERDICT” The Deans and Faculty ofFaulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law announce that Orlando Rodriquez Johnson is a candidate for the degree of Juris Doctor Please join us at the Commencement Ceremony Saturday the Twelfth of May Two Thousand and Eighteen Ten o’clock in the morning at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 201 Tallapoosa Street Montgomery, AL 36104

Join us in celebrating!!! Saturday, May 12,2018 6:00 p.m.- Until Pizzazz by Nazz223 North Prairie StreetUnion Springs, AL 36089 Attire: Denim

#BLACK&HOODED “Change will not come if we “I have learned that wait for some other person success is to be measured or some other time. We are not so much by the posi- the ones we’ve been waiting tion that one has reachedfor. We are the change that we in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome seek.” while trying to succeed.” – Barack Obama - Booker T. Washington In a world filled with hate, we must Education is our passport to thestill dare to hope. In a world filled with future, for tomorrow belongs anger, we must still dare to comfort. to the people who prepare for itIn a world filled with despair, we must today. still dare to dream. And in a world –Malcolm Xfilled with distrust, we must still dare to believe. – Michael JacksonOrlando Rodriquez Johnson, J.D.