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Helen Tariku ’21, J.D. ’24

Clerk, Fairfax County Circuit Court

Majors: {{https://www.wm.edu/majorsminors/government/index.php, Government}} & {{https://www.wm.edu/majorsminors/sociology/index.php, Sociology}}

A native of Arlington, Virginia, Helen became familiar with William & Mary at an early age. In high school, she dreamed of attending the university because of its excellent academic reputation, small size, extracurricular opportunities and social aspects. “This community supports one another,” she says. “Even though we go to an academically rigorous school, we cheer each other on rather than competing with one another.”

A double major in government and sociology, Helen was pre-law and studied abroad in Prague. She was a Griffin Ambassador for the admission office and a member of Tri Delta sorority, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, the scuba club, Student Assembly and more. 

She was accepted into William & Mary Law School’s J.D. class of 2024, and as a law student she served as editor in chief of the W&M Journal of Race, Gender and Social Justice, as the president of the Black Law Students Association, on the executive board of the National Trial Team and participated in many other organizations. She was also a research assistant to Professor Paul Marcus and served as a judicial extern. At graduation, she received the George Wythe Award for demonstrating character, leadership and a spirit of selfless service to the Law School community.

What Helen says she loves most about William & Mary is that you get out of the experience what you put in. “Everyone here has a common bond of being a member of this community but also being unique at the same time,” she says. “I’ve had a fantastic experience getting to interact with many different types of people with countless different interests.”

Learn more about the organizations Helen was a part of at W&M