LANSDALE, PA –
The NPAAA typically inducts those into their wall of fame who have achieved athletic success. However, On October 7th they inducted some one with a lifetime of success. Edwin Kneedler, a member of the Justice department who has argued 113 cases in front of the United States Supreme Court, received the honor.
Kneedler, a 1963 graduate of North Penn High School, must be considered one of the most successful alumni to ever come out of North Penn. Kneedler admitted that he did not achieve great athletic success at North Penn, but he also stated the his participation in athletics helped him to become successful.
Kneedler spoke of the activities he participated in during high school which included boy scouts and the school band, each having played a role in his success in Law. Kneedler explained how his participation in environmental cases can be traced directly to his time with the boy scouts.
During his youth, Kneedler felt no shortage of mentors. In his first grade year, his father passed away and his teacher Ruth Frederick really helped him. His mother worked in the North Penn School District and for forty years his Grandfather taught at Abington; now for every case that Kneedler works he wears his Grandfather’s cuff links in his honor.
Despite not being a great athlete, Kneedler felt close to the legendary Coach Crawford. “Coach Crawford was somebody that I did not want to let down” said Kneedler.
Many of Kneedler’s activities and mentors during his time at North Penn aided him in his life’s journey, but his own hard work determined his life’s success. Originally out of high school, he intended to be an engineer. However, he quickly realized that he wanted something different out of life and decided to leave and study economics. Once again, Kneedler decided to pursue something else. Kneedler dropped out of school which became a big deal to him because he firmly believed in finishing what you start.
The next step of Kneedler’s journey came when he joined a volunteer group to help give his life some more direction. When he returned from his volunteer work, Kneedler went toUniversityofVirginiato attend law school.
The fact that Kneedler went through a couple different career paths before he arrived in law school proves that it does not matter where one starts, but rather where he finishes, and he explained that is important to “Be open to change.” .
Upon leavingVirginia, Kneedler began work in the justice department. He bases his success off of preparation,and spoke of how he would prepare for cases with a group of lawyers. This made him feel like part of a team, similar to the activities he participated in atNorthPennHigh School.
Kneedler spoke of many cases that he worked on and each one required a great deal of preparation for his argument.
“Most jobs to be done well require hard work” said Kneedler.
To succeed in law there obviously must be a great amount of discipline. Kneedler talked about the effort it takes when he stated that there must be “an enormous amount of energy preparing.” The effort he puts in provides a good model for any young aspiring lawyer.
For those who have a strong desire to go into law, Kneedler had some important advice. “It’s not as glamorous as it is on TV” advised Kneedler.
Today North Penn students fill the school and each one of them carries a great deal of potential. Edwin Kneedler serves as a model for those who do not know exactly where they want to go with their lives. If students can learn one thing from the journey of Mr. Kneedler, they will learn that hard work and dedication brings success in any area of life.