Marlee Burkitt, a 2014 graduate of Herrin High School, has achieved her childhood dream of entering the legal profession. Now serving as an appellate law clerk to Justice Mark Boie of the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois, Burkitt represents the potential that Herrin's educational system cultivates in its students.

"In third grade, I found out that you could get paid to argue," Burkitt recalls. "I was like, 'You know what? I could do that.' I never changed my mind.

That early career epiphany, sparked during a school career day, set Burkitt on a determined path through Herrin's educational system. Her connection to Herrin runs deep—she represents the third generation of her family to attend Herrin schools, following her mother and grandmother before her.

During her time at Herrin Schools, Burkitt embraced advanced academic opportunities. She credits her sixth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Mallow, with advocating for her placement in advanced English and mathematics courses despite standardized testing challenges.

"I wasn't a great test taker, but I remember Mrs. Mallow went to bat for me and said I should be on the advanced track, even though my test scores weren't great, because she said that was my skill set," Burkitt explains.

At Herrin High School, Burkitt immersed herself in rigorous Advanced Placement courses while developing leadership skills through extracurricular activities. As drum major in the school band under the direction of Mr. Lewis, she honed abilities that would serve her well in her professional career.

"I am so grateful for band and Mr. Lewis," she emphasizes. "Being drum major really helped develop leadership skills."

Her involvement extended far beyond music. Burkitt participated in Student Government, French Club, Spanish Club, Student Chamber, and Scholar Bowl. She particularly values her experience with Amanda Hickman, her high school English teacher.

"I am stubborn and hard-headed and would like to argue in class with her about why we were spending time studying literature and symbols," Burkitt admits. "Then I ended up going to get a literature degree in college after I insisted, 'It's not that deep.' Well, then I went to college, and it turns out it was that deep. She was right. I told her that."

After graduating from Herrin High School, Burkitt attended Southeast Missouri State University, completing her undergraduate degree in December 2019. Following a semester break, she began law school at the University of Mississippi in August 2020—navigating the challenges of hybrid learning during the pandemic.

Upon completing law school in May 2023, Burkitt passed the bar exam and began her legal career as an associate attorney at Sam C. Mitchell, a law firm in West Frankfort. When a coveted clerk position opened, she seized the opportunity to fulfill her long-held ambition.

Now working from the judge's chambers in Anna, Burkitt analyzes legal arguments, researches precedents, and helps craft judicial opinions that impact the entire region. Though recently relocated to Christopher after her marriage, she maintains strong ties to her hometown.

Burkitt credits Herrin's educational approach with developing her into a well-rounded professional. "Looking back at it now, we had more resources than you would anticipate in some rural communities," she observes.

She particularly values the district's commitment to both academic excellence and extracurricular opportunities. "The support I received throughout school was more than just academic," Burkitt notes. "The soft skills, the stuff that you learn in your extracurriculars, your linguistics classes, band, arts—those types of resources are also valuable in shaping a whole person rather than just focusing on academics."

As the fourth generation of her family prepares to enter Herrin's educational system in the coming years, Burkitt hopes current students will take advantage of all the community offers. "It's a nice town to be in, a good school district to send kids to, and I feel like it has a good sense of community as long as you seek it out," she says.

From a third-grader fascinated by the prospect of professional debate to an accomplished legal professional, Marlee Burkitt exemplifies the success that can be achieved when Herrin students pursue their passions with determination and community support.