Trivia Night with a Mission: Baylor Law HEAL Event Raises $2,000 for Waco Family Abuse Center During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

As part of its Sexual Assault Awareness Month programming, Baylor Law School’s student-led organization Baylor Law HEAL (Help, Educate, Advocate, and Learn) transformed a night of trivia into a powerful act of advocacy and community support.

On Tuesday, April 8, more than 100 Baylor Law students and 17 faculty members—including Dean Jeremy Counseller—gathered at Southern Roots in Waco for HEAL’s Annual Trivia Night. The result? A sold-out venue, $2,000 raised, and a powerful show of solidarity among students, professors, and the broader Waco community.

“At law schools like Baylor Law, where students are starting their careers in a service-oriented profession, HEAL provides students with the opportunity to learn how to best advocate for victims,” said Grace Neale, a Second-Year law student and current President of HEAL. “To help students effectively approach victim advocacy, HEAL provides volunteer opportunities with various organizations addressing sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking, hosts experienced speakers to help educate students on aspects of victimology, and creates a community environment with an open dialogue.”

The Baylor Law HEAL executive board for the 2025 Spring and Summer quarters consists of law students Grace Neale, President; Maryann Heffley, Vice President; Shelby Trudeau, Secretary; and Rachel Spacek and Reed Busler, Co-1L Liaisons.

A Mission That Hits Home

HEAL was founded to support victims of sexual and domestic violence, and to prepare future lawyers to serve with empathy and informed advocacy. The organization partners with local support networks, including the Waco Family Abuse Center and Unbound Now, offering volunteer hours and financial support.

“It is crucial to the growth and development of law students that organizations like HEAL exist,” said Maryann Heffley, Second-Year law student and Vice President of HEAL. “The exposure to real-world challenges faced by many survivors in our community has a lifelong impact on those involved, and raising awareness is key. The exposure and insight gained to these issues helps to bridge the gap between lawyers and the community.”

The mission is clear, and HEAL’s Annual Trivia Night proved how much that mission resonates across the Baylor Law School community. “The support HEAL garnered from faculty, staff, students, and the community was amazing,” noted Heffley.

Trivia and Teamwork 

Nine trivia teams, each with a mix of students and professors—including a squad led by Dean Jeremy Counseller—competed across categories from pop culture to historical facts. Generous prizes donated by local businesses, including Southern Roots, Lighthouse Coffee, and Be Kind Coffee, added a sweet incentive. At the end of the evening, the team led by Professors (and sisters) Jessica and Rachel Kincaid had taken first place, followed by a three-way tie for second place taken by the teams led by Professors Jaeger & Smith, Yanowitch & Taxman, and Dean Counseller.

“I love trivia with the students – although it can be a very humbling experience,” noted Professor Jessica Asbridge, HEAL’s faculty advisor, with a chuckle. “HEAL’s Trivia Night is a good reminder that our profession is one of service and that we can have fun while serving! It is easy to get wrapped up in studying non-stop (and later, in practice, working on client matters non-stop). HEAL’s Trivia Night demonstrated the great impact that can be had when we hit pause on our normal routines and instead come together for a good cause.”

Asbridge praised the HEAL executive board for taking full ownership of the event, from logistics to team building, saying, “What made this event so special and such a success was HEAL student members’ commitment and dedication. The HEAL executive board did so much work to pull this event off.”

A Night of Trivia, Not a Trivial Impact

“Supporting HEAL’s Trivia Night was an easy decision,” remarked Dean Jeremy Counseller. “Student-led initiatives like this are a wonderful example of Baylor Law School’s mission—to train not only skilled advocates but compassionate ones. When students lead with purpose, it strengthens our entire community.”

The competition during Trivia Night was fierce, but the $2,000 raised was the real victory. That amount translates into concrete support like meals, clothing, and other essentials for families seeking shelter from violence.

“To some, $2,000 might just be a number,” said Neale, “but to survivors, this amount represents 500 rolls of paper towels, 100 pairs of socks, or 200 meals. We often take these things for granted, knowing we will have access to them. The reality for many victims of domestic and sexual violence, and for the service providers who support them, is that these everyday items are not always readily, or financially, accessible.”

During Trivia Night, staff from the Waco Family Abuse Center, including the Director of the Children’s Group, stopped by to thank Baylor Law School for its support.

Community. Compassion. Change.

The event marked more than just a one-time success for HEAL; it signifies the continuation of an exciting tradition, started by former HEAL President Jenny Bloodworth, JD '24, accompanied by plans for future expansion. Interest in this year’s event was so high that tickets sold out early. Heffley noted, “I want anyone who was not at Trivia Night to try to make it next year, and if that is not an option, I just want them to find some way to get involved in a similar mission! As HEAL expands and grows, I hope to surpass our fundraising numbers from this year. However, at the end of the day, I think it is important to retain focus on the mission of helping victims and survivors of sexual assault.”

“Having tickets sell out shows that HEAL’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events can grow to meet overwhelming student interest,” added Neale. “I hope to see the same professors return to participate on teams again. Ultimately, this fight does not belong to one person in isolation but through the collaboration of all of us who have the ability to advocate for those who have been personally affected, hurt, or silenced in seeking help.”