My name is Abigail Kyles, and I recently graduated from the University of the Pacific with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. First and foremost, I want to offer my heartfelt condolences for your loss and thank you sincerely for your generosity. Your support means so much to struggling students like me who share Ryan's passions. Thank you for making a lasting difference in so many students' educational journeys! As a recent graduate, I am not planning on stopping there. I have great aspirations and even bigger dreams. The McGeorge School of Law is next on my list in helping me achieve them. I have been accepted and successfully admitted into their 3-year full-time program, and I am set to begin in the fall of 2025. There, I plan to further develop the skills and passion for justice that my Political Science education helped cultivate. One experience, among the many valuable lessons learned during my undergraduate career, stood out in particular and profoundly shaped my path forward. While interning with Emily Chrim, a criminal defense attorney, I had the opportunity to assist with the case of Sophia Ortega. Sophia was a 27-year-old mother of two young girls who was arrested at gunpoint in front of her children on charges of murder and attempted murder. After four months of Ms. Ortega being locked behind bars, the plaintiff's counsel had yet to find sufficient evidence to prosecute her. The case was eventually dropped and refiled. During this time, Emily discovered groundbreaking information: after consulting a gun expert, it was revealed that the bullet allegedly fired by Sophia was incompatible with her weapon. Unfortunately for Sophia, after months of being locked up and treated like a killer, the DA's office was not ready to drop her case or even proceed with a hearing. After what could have been the tenth rescheduling of Sophia’s preliminary hearing, new discovery was released to both the prosecution and defense teams. This discovery consisted of proof that revealed how Ms. Ortega had been framed for the murder by the police, while the actual culprit evaded justice. Ultimately, Sophia was cleared of any involvement in the homicide, and the DA had no choice but to drop the case. Although Sophia's victory is not my own, being able to assist in fighting for her freedom was a turning point for me. Her case solidified my passion for advocacy and affirmed my calling to serve as a criminal defense attorney. However, Ms. Ortega is one of the lucky ones. So many innocent individuals are put away for crimes they did not commit. Both History and Political Science have taught me that past influences shape current societal structures. In the modern-day criminal justice system, justice is never guaranteed; in fact, it rarely persists within the institution that immediately labels the accused as a case number, a defendant, a criminal, and, most importantly, guilty. As a criminal defense attorney, I will vigorously fight to make the world a better place, especially for those too quickly judged and so often overlooked.

Why am I worth the dreams I aspire to achieve? Because I have never relied on being inherently gifted. Instead, I’ve worked, grown, and committed to becoming someone worthy of those dreams. When I was five, my mom put me in ballet classes. The teacher assumed that I would naturally excel because my mom was an outstanding dancer. I did not. Soon, I no longer danced ballet. At six, I tried gymnastics, swimming, and even cheer. No sooner was it revealed that I didn't have a natural inclination toward any of these sports than I was pulled out of them. Finally, as a last attempt to find something that I was decent at, my mom put me in horseback riding lessons. I was terrible. I pulled too hard on the reins, mistaking control for harshness. I brushed the horse's hair the wrong way despite repeated corrections. Terrible, I was terrible at horseback riding. However, at seven years old, I decided that I didn't care if I wasn't good at it. I liked horseback riding; I enjoyed it. And so, I would keep doing it. Quickly, I learned that no one was inherently gifted in the art of riding. If you wanted to be great, you had to put in the hard work and dedication to develop the skills that being great demanded. So, I took horseback riding, something that I had an interest in, and practiced and practiced until I made myself good enough to be exceptional. Now, at 20, with a bachelor’s degree in political science, minors in sociology and pre-law, and a full-time position at a corporate law firm, the lessons from my childhood remain at the core of who I am. I am ambitious, but more importantly, I am resilient. I don’t shy away from challenges because I was never given the luxury of ease. Unlike my younger self, who was only able to give her full effort when doing the things that she loved, I've since learned how to employ commitment and dedication in unenjoyable situations. This habit began at 14, when I transitioned from being homeschooled to taking community college courses while completing high school requirements. The shift was jarring. I had to navigate unfamiliar academic expectations and social norms I hadn’t previously encountered. Despite my early success, my young age continued to be a significant factor in my community college experience, which gave rise to perpetual feelings of insecurity. It wasn't until my second semester at the University of the Pacific that I was able to fully overcome this struggle. There, I felt a greater sense of belonging, and the academic playing field between me and my peers felt level for the first time. Finally, I was able to feel comfortable in my own skin, and this newfound sense of security was reflected in my improved grades and social life. Since then, I’ve continued to pursue excellence with intentionality and perseverance. The determination I first developed in the riding arena has grown into a deep commitment to justice. My interest in argumentation and structural power evolved into a passion for the law. Now, as an admitted student at McGeorge School of Law, set to begin my freshman year in the fall of 2025, I am confident that the values I’ve cultivated, such as resilience, discipline, and integrity, make me not only capable of achieving my dreams but worthy of them. My dreams are not based on talent alone. They are built on years of effort, self-reflection, and an unwavering desire to grow. That is why I am worthy of them.

Growing up in a household of 10, being loud didn’t mean that you would be heard. That didn’t stop me, though. I still yelled, shrieked, and clamored my way through childhood until I discovered that knowing how to form intellectual thoughts and words backed by evidence was what distinguished me from the rest of my siblings and peers. Learning how to advocate for myself through disagreeing, protesting, and debating gave me my first taste of what it means to find and use my voice, and I loved it. I loved being heard. While I had discovered my voice at a young age and begun incessantly using it to navigate through life on my own terms, I gradually came to understand that many individuals were not granted that same opportunity, some never having access to their voice at all. This comprehension saddened me. It angered me. It was not fair. But part of growing up was realizing that because people are inherently flawed beings, every idea, system, or institution created by humans will consequently reflect that imperfection. Some, however, seem to be a little more flawed, a bit more blemished, or just a tad more unjust. For me, nowhere were these failures more evident than in the criminal justice system. And so, as I began my undergraduate career at the University of the Pacific, I decided that I would not remain complacent. I refused to accept the unfairness of our systems simply because we were the ones who created them. Instead, I decided that I was going to do something about it. My first form of action was my decision to pursue a vocation in the legal field by majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law during my undergraduate studies. My second and most transformative step was participating in an internship with criminal defense attorney Emily Chrim. There, I learned so much about the systemic failures of our justice system, specifically when it comes to the accused. However, I also got to witness the commitment and integrity of hardworking defense attorneys fighting tirelessly to challenge these rampant injustices. One such injustice, amidst the many, stood out in particular to me. Sophia Ortega, one of Ms. Chrim’s clients, was a twenty-seven-year-old mother of two young girls who was arrested at gunpoint in front of her children on charges of murder and attempted murder. After four months of Ms. Ortega being locked behind bars, the plaintiff's counsel had yet to find sufficient evidence to prosecute her. The case was eventually dropped and refiled. During this time, Emily discovered groundbreaking information: after consulting a gun expert, it was revealed that the bullet allegedly fired by Sophia was incompatible with her weapon. Unfortunately for Sophia, after months of being locked up and treated like a killer, the DA's office was not ready to drop her case or even proceed with a hearing. After what could have been the tenth rescheduling of Sophia’s preliminary hearing, new discovery was released to both the prosecution and defense teams. This discovery consisted of proof that revealed how Ms. Ortega had been framed for the murder by the police, while the actual culprit evaded justice. Ultimately, Sophia was cleared of any involvement in the homicide, and the DA had no choice but to drop the case. Although Sophia's victory is not my own, I was so grateful to be able to assist in fighting for her freedom. It remains the most meaningful achievement of my life to date. Her case solidified my passion for advocacy and reaffirmed my desire to be a voice for the voiceless. Ms. Ortega is one of the lucky ones. So many innocent individuals are put away for crimes they did not commit. As a criminal defense attorney, I will vigorously fight for those too quickly judged and so often overlooked. Note: I was accepted into McGeorge School of Law and will continue my journey of advocacy in the fall of 2025!

Personal Statement Growing up in a household of ten, you have to maintain something special in order to stand out. As the oldest of eight children, I struggled to find something that I loved and that I was also good at. After years of grappling to discover what would set me apart from my siblings, I developed a passion for horseback riding. Quickly, I learned that no one was inherently gifted in the art of riding. If you wanted to be special, you had to put in the hard work and dedication to develop the skills that being special demanded. So, I took horseback riding, something that I had an interest in, and practiced and practiced until I made myself good enough to be exceptional. Now, as a 20-year-old graduate with a full-time position at a corporate law firm and a bachelor's degree in political science, the values of dedication and commitment derived from my young years spent horseback riding have followed me into adulthood and crafted me into a valuable asset to your law school. Unlike my childhood self, who was only able to practice the attributes of determination and attentiveness when doing the things that she loved, I am now able to apply these traits to areas of my life that I don't find particularly enjoyable. I began developing this habit at 14, a freshman in both high school and college. Being homeschooled throughout my childhood had its perks, and simultaneously taking classes at my hometown's community college while completing high school courses at home was one of them. However, going from an isolated homeschooler to an invested college student was a drastic shift. I was thrown full force into an environment with social norms that I was not aware of and coursework that I did not understand. Despite my early success, my young age continued to be a significant factor in my community college experience, which gave rise to perpetual feelings of insecurity. It wasn't until my second semester at the University of the Pacific that I was able to fully overcome this struggle. There, I felt a greater sense of belonging, and the academic playing field between me and my peers felt level for the first time. Finally, I was able to feel comfortable in my own skin, and this newfound sense of security was reflected in my improved grades and social life. While horseback riding and my undergraduate career provided me with the platform to develop and perfect a skill set rooted in determination and discipline, growing up in such a large and overwhelming household equipped me with another vital proficiency - how to advocate for myself. Within the chaotic and noisy environment that was my household, being loud does not mean that you will be heard. That didn't stop me, though; I still yelled, shrieked, and clamored my way through childhood until I discovered that knowing how to form arguments and claims backed by evidence was what distinguished me from the rest of my siblings and peers. Through the development of my undergraduate studies at the University of the Pacific, my love of argumentation evolved alongside the determination instilled from years of horseback riding and rigorous college work. Through my exposure to internships with local attorneys, moot court experiences, and the accumulation of the knowledge I've assimilated at UOP pertaining to law and politics, I began to realize the meaningful impact that these combined attributes could make. One of these pivotal experiences that made me realize I wanted to utilize my determination and advocacy skills towards practicing the law in a purposeful and intentional way came during my internship with criminal defense attorney Emily Chrim, when I met a client named Sophia Ortega. Sophia was wrongfully incarcerated on murder and attempted murder charges, her due process rights violated, and her dignity stripped as the DA’s office refused to drop the case or proceed with a hearing due to a lack of evidence. After five months behind bars, Emily discovered groundbreaking information that revealed how Ms. Ortega had been framed for the murder by the police. Ultimately, Sophia was cleared of any involvement in the homicide, and the DA had no choice but to drop the case. She is one of the lucky ones. So many innocent individuals are put away for crimes they did not commit. Sophia's story solidified my desire to fight against such discrimination in the courtroom. As a criminal defense attorney, I will dedicate my career to defending those who are too quickly judged and so often overlooked. Now, as a 20-year-old graduate from the University of the Pacific, with a bachelor's degree in political science and minors in sociology and pre-law, I continue to practice the dedication, determination, and commitment that I learned as a child were necessary to be special. These attributes, which were essential for excelling in my academics and horseback riding, have grown into something more. Personal achievement, although still important to me, no longer defines my drive to be special. Through the employment of my discipline and love for argumentation, I have developed a passion for the law that I will use to bring about justice. I hope to take this evolving sense of what makes me special that I have enhanced over the years and meticulously apply it to my studies at McGeorge School of Law. PS: I have been accepted into McGeorge School of Law and will begin my law school journey in the fall of 2025! Right now, I am working full-time at a law firm in my hometown since I graduated early, in December of 2024, from UOP.

Below you will find an email exchange between me and my Capstone professor on the eve of the dreaded finals season. On May 1, 2024, at 10:27 PM, Abi Kyles <a_kyles@u.pacific.edu> wrote: Good Evening Dr. Becker, The time has come for me to turn in my final paper, and thus, the time has come for me to beg for the perseverance of my B+ in the class. I know you will grade this paper honestly and fairly, but while you engage in this impartial analysis, please keep in mind that my continued admission to the honors society Phi Alpha or whatever the *** it is rests solely on this courteous decision of yours. Of course, you can't give a *** paper a good grade, but since I slaved over this essay day and night for a solid 4 hours straight, I think it's pretty *** great. (I am just kidding this paper has been developed over the last few weeks as you know because I've been to your office hours, I just wanted you to find this funny so you'd be in a good mood while you graded it.) That is all for now, thank you. Best, Abi Kyles Jeffrey Becker <jbecker@PACIFIC.EDU> wrote: In the words of the texting generation: ROTFL. This email is funny.

Starting my college career at 14 years old was not without its challenges. Nonetheless, it taught me some very important lessons, including how to advocate for myself. Now, as a 20-year-old graduate from the University of the Pacific with a bachelor’s degree in political science, I recognize how this skill sets me apart, not just in the classroom, but also in my home. Growing up in a household of 10, being loud doesn’t mean that you will be heard. Instead, I realized that being able to form arguments and claims backed by evidence was what distinguished me from the rest of my siblings and peers. However, nothing could have shaped and solidified my commitment to pursuing the law more than my firsthand experiences with victims of the Criminal and Civil Justice System. My first significant interaction occurred during a corporate law internship over the summer. One of the attorneys I worked with was taking the deposition of an elderly Hispanic man. As the defendant spoke, I witnessed the vulnerability and suffering in his eyes when he shared how his mental health declined rapidly after he lost his job of 30 years as the sole provider for his family. Eventually, he broke down in tears, relaying in broken bits of English how he “didn’t know what he was going to do.” Watching him struggle sparked fierce determination in me - a conviction to defend the oppressed, marginalized, and overlooked. It is moments like these that fuel my passion to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. Indisputably, the legal system can contribute to and ameliorate social inequalities around race, class, gender, and nationality. Just ask Sophia Ortega, a Latinx woman accused of murder and attempted murder. I first met Ms. Ortega in the fall of 2024 while I was interning with Emily Chrim, a criminal defense attorney in Stockton, CA. By then, I was confident in my resolution to become an attorney, driven by my love for argumentation and my desire to use it to help others. However, I was still unsure of what type of law to pursue. That changed when I learned Sophia's story. Sophia Ortega is a twenty-seven-year-old mother of two young girls. On May 30, 2024, she was arrested in her home at gunpoint as her daughters looked on in horror. After four months of Ms. Ortega being locked behind bars, the plaintiff's counsel had yet to find sufficient evidence to prosecute her. The case was eventually dropped and refiled. During this time, Emily discovered groundbreaking information: after consulting a gun expert, it was revealed that the bullet allegedly fired by Sophia was incompatible with her weapon. Unfortunately for Sophia, after months of being locked up and treated like a killer, the DA's office was not ready to drop her case or even proceed with a hearing. After the tenth rescheduling of Sophia’s preliminary hearing, new discovery was released to both the prosecution and defense teams. This discovery consisted of proof that revealed how Ms. Ortega had been framed for the murder by the police, while the actual culprit evaded justice. Ultimately, Sophia was cleared of any involvement in the homicide, and the DA had no choice but to drop the case. Sophia is one of the lucky ones. So many innocent individuals are put away for crimes they did not commit. Sophia's story solidified my desire to fight against such discrimination in the courtroom. As a criminal defense attorney, I will dedicate my career to making a positive impact on the world by defending those who are too quickly judged and so often overlooked.