Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship

I am a first-generation college and law student from Costa Rica. After considering the debt and difficulty law school would bring, I still chose to pursue a career in law for the same reasons as Ms. Celestine. Her achievements put a smile on my face because we have many similarities. I too speak three languages. I visited a concentration camp in Dachau, Germany that showed me what I'm sure Ms. Celestine felt while volunteering at the US Holocaust museum. Although no longer the case, I have enjoyed an affluent life. I hope to establish the means to reward my mother's sacrifices and live comfortably, but money is more a concern than motivation for why I am in law school. I am motivated because the legal profession needs more kind, reasonable individuals who care about "the little guy." Attorneys provide much-needed specialized skills, and I hope to be the type of legal professional Ms. Celestine was. The law is complicated and I want to join the pool of legal professionals who strive to provide equal access to those in need. As a naturalized citizen, I have been there myself. I plan to positively impact the legal profession by sharing an open-minded perspective and practicing kindness and tolerance. Given the difference in pay between public interest and other avenues of law, I am concerned my financial needs may diminish my ability to pursue my dedication to social progress. I want to help individuals with their legal needs because I value and understand that legal problems are usually so determinative of where life will lead. I admire Ms. Celestine's passion, and although her journey ended so early, I am sure she is happy her legacy continues, both through this scholarship and the long-lasting impact she had on those she helped. As I hope to achieve what Ms. Celestine has, I hope you will consider me a worthy candidate for this scholarship in her honor. Thank you.