When I was 17-years-old, my father was incarcerated. I could still picture my father’s wrists and feet being tied. I had many thoughts about when I would be able to hug my father again. When my father and his lawyer announced he could be facing life, I felt devastated. My family found it challenging to hire a private defense attorney due to our limited income. During my full-time studies, my grandma worked double-overtime shifts to support my younger siblings. On the weekends, my grandma and I would take the bus to go clean houses and sell food after her doctor appointments. My family resides in a little apartment to save money on rent. We couldn't afford legal representation, so my fathers case was eventually moved to a public defender. I am motivated by this experience to work in criminal law and public defense advocacy. Though I was determined to support individuals like my father, I became aware of the challenges I would have to overcome to be able to accomplish this. I am currently in my third year of university and majoring in criminal justice. My road has not been simple being a first-generation college student and as a Latina from a low-income household. After my father’s sentence, my family and I felt terrified and powerless. Additionally, there are not many resources for university students whose loved ones are incarcerated. I have made attempts to promote representation through advocacy and areas, given the challenges and skills that students like me bring to the legal field and opportunities such as this scholarship, programs and mentoring are still needed. My passion for reading, gardening, and spending time with my family shapes my motivated, detail-oriented nature. Before my school studies I attend the gym weekly and if not reading at the library then I’m volunteering there. Every week, I go to the gym before my school studies, and when I’m not reading at the library, I volunteer there. My voluntary work has given me those skills that I can use in my current role as a tutor and receptionist. I’m driven by a desire to help families affected by incarceration, as mine was. Working as a criminal attorney is how I aim to fight the criminalization of poverty and mass incarceration. I aim to speak up for individuals who have been impacted by incarceration, with my passion and dedication to bringing about change.

When I was 17-years-old, my father was incarcerated. I could still picture my father’s wrists and feet being tied. I had many thoughts about when I would be able to hug my father again. When my father and his lawyer announced he could be facing life, I felt devastated. My family found it challenging to hire a private defense attorney due to our limited income. During my full-time studies, my grandma worked double-overtime shifts to support my younger siblings. On the weekends, my grandma and I would take the bus to go clean houses and sell food after her doctor appointments. My family resides in a little apartment to save money on rent. We couldn't afford legal representation, so my fathers case was eventually moved to a public defender. I am motivated by this experience to work in criminal law and public defense advocacy. Though I was determined to support individuals like my father, I became aware of the challenges I would have to overcome to be able to accomplish this. I am currently in my third year of university and majoring in criminal justice. My road has not been simple being a first-generation college student and as a Latina from a low-income household. After my father’s sentence, my family and I felt terrified and powerless. Additionally, there are not many resources for university students whose loved ones are incarcerated. I have made attempts to promote representation through advocacy and areas, given the challenges and skills that students like me bring to the legal field and opportunities such as this scholarship, programs and mentoring are still needed. My passion for reading, gardening, and spending time with my family shapes my motivated, detail-oriented nature. Before my school studies I attend the gym weekly and if not reading at the library then I’m volunteering there. Every week, I go to the gym before my school studies, and when I’m not reading at the library, I volunteer there. My voluntary work has given me those skills that I can use in my current role as a tutor and receptionist. I’m driven by a desire to help families affected by incarceration, as mine was. Working as a criminal attorney is how I aim to fight the criminalization of poverty and mass incarceration. I aim to speak up for individuals who have been impacted by incarceration, with my passion and dedication to bringing about change.

The person who helps me the most is my grandma. She has high hopes for my future, even in times when I doubt myself. My grandma inspires me because she has the strength to overcome obstacles. My grandma encourages me to pursue my goals, and I am grateful for all that she does for me. Since my dad was incarcerated, my grandma has raised me. I sleep on foldable beds in the living room with my siblings while my grandma works late shifts to clean houses and sell tamales. On the weekends, we head out to catch the early bus to go clean houses and babysit. I help translate when I go with my grandma to her doctor's appointments during the week. My grandma motivates me to maintain my academic focus. I want to be able to support and care for her as she grows older. I grew to want to make my community and family proud by using my strengths and passion toward a successful goal. As I grew up, through my involvement in multiple clubs and tutoring students at the library, I was able to make many friends at school, work, and in my community. I was able to participate in a high school club called Together We Stand, which really helped me decide my career pathway. Being a big dreamer, I knew I also had to put in a strong work ethic toward my goal of becoming a criminal lawyer. I enrolled in advanced courses, participated in community hours, and continued to take the necessary steps to achieve my goals. As a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of perseverance and dedication. My grandma encourages me to take this opportunity to better myself and set an example for my younger siblings. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to pursue my goals. Now, I am a sophomore at California State University, Dominguez Hills, majoring in criminal justice and achieving my goals of a J.D. in the future. I will continue to pursue a field in which I genuinely want to help my community and my family. My grandma has helped me along the way and supported me throughout the process of developing what will become my career. I am so appreciative of my grandma’s support and love. With my grandma’s support and encouragement, I've learned to appreciate the people around me and live each day to the fullest.

The person who helps me the most is my grandma. She has high hopes for my future, even in times when I doubt myself. My grandma inspires me because she has the strength to overcome obstacles. My grandma encourages me to pursue my goals, and I am grateful for all that she does for me. Since my dad was incarcerated, my grandma has raised me. I sleep on foldable beds in the living room with my siblings while my grandma works late shifts to clean houses and sell tamales. On the weekends, we head out to catch the early bus to go clean houses and babysit. I help translate when I go with my grandma to her doctor's appointments during the week. My grandma motivates me to maintain my academic focus. I want to be able to support and care for her as she grows older. I grew to want to make my community and family proud by using my strengths and passion toward a successful goal. As I grew up, through my involvement in multiple clubs and tutoring students at the library, I was able to make many friends at school, work, and in my community. I was able to participate in a high school club called Together We Stand, which really helped me decide my career pathway. Being a big dreamer, I knew I also had to put in a strong work ethic toward my goal of becoming a criminal lawyer. I enrolled in advanced courses, participated in community hours, and continued to take the necessary steps to achieve my goals. As a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of perseverance and dedication. My grandma encourages me to take this opportunity to better myself and set an example for my younger siblings. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to pursue my goals. Now, I am a sophomore at California State University, Dominguez Hills, majoring in criminal justice and achieving my goal of a J.D. in the future. I will continue to pursue a field in which I genuinely want to help my community and my family. My grandma has helped me along the way and supported me throughout the process of developing what will become my career. I am so appreciative of my grandma’s support and love. With my grandma’s support and encouragement, I've learned to appreciate the people around me and live each day to the fullest.