Growing up in Southside Jamaica, Queens, I often felt insecure and fearful. As a child of immigrants living below the poverty line, I experienced firsthand how the American legal system impacted my family’s stability. By eight years old, I was acutely aware of the complexities the legal system introduced into our lives, especially as I took on the role of co-caretaker for my disabled brother. The intersection of our poverty, my mother’s immigration status, and my brother’s disabilities meant that the legal system loomed over us, threatening to tear our family apart. The memory of my mother’s tear-streaked face after learning she could not gain legal guardianship of my brother due to her immigration status is forever etched in my mind. She couldn’t afford proper legal representation, leaving her defeated and me feeling helpless. This experience ignited a fire within me. I vowed never to feel that way again and committed myself to providing the affordable legal services that my family desperately needed. My journey in the legal field began when I became a paralegal at Appellate Advocates, where I learned that the very system I once feared could also bring about positive change. Working with the Parole Advocacy Project within Appellate Advocates allowed me to help indigent clients, many from Black, Brown, immigrant, and low-income communities similar to my own, secure affordable and high-quality legal representation. One client, Mr. M, particularly stands out in my memory. As his parole advocate, I helped him prepare for his parole board interview by conducting research, gathering support letters, and conducting mock interviews. After months of hard work, we submitted a comprehensive parole packet, and two weeks later, Mr. M received the wonderful news that he was granted parole. While Mr. M expressed gratitude for my assistance, I realized that I was the one who needed to thank him. Our time together opened my eyes to the profound impact that my experiences could have in the legal field. My commitment to advocating for marginalized populations remains unwavering. I’m determined to channel the difficulties of my childhood into a passion for justice as I continue my legal education at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University today. As I engage in experiential learning opportunities, I’m committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. My unique background and personal adversity have shaped my perspective, enabling me to advocate for clients with emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. I strive to amplify the voices of those who face systemic challenges, both during law school and in my future career. My resilience and professional experiences position me uniquely to become a change agent in the legal community.

It was 10 p.m. when my phone rang. I hesitated before answering, as the number was unfamiliar. The bright smile that had been on my face that night slowly faded, replaced by confusion and disbelief as the doctor on the other end said, "go to the hospital now; your blood count is dangerously low." At 23, I was a paralegal and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Coordinator in Lower Manhattan. I aspired to attend law school and worked long days that often extended into the night. I rarely took breaks and made sacrifices in other areas of my life. However, in March 2022, I learned that the most significant sacrifice I had made was my overall health. After months of feeling extraordinarily fatigued and experiencing irregular menstrual issues, I feared that I might need an increased dosage of iron due to my struggle with anemia. I went to urgent care seeking help. They took my blood and promised to test it and get back to me. That same night, they called with alarming results: my iron levels were dangerously low, and my blood count was only 3. I needed immediate medical attention. The shock of this result hit me like a sudden storm. I went to the hospital that night and was admitted. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can lead to hormonal imbalances and anemia, and I underwent a blood transfusion. This experience was my biggest wake-up call. I realized that I could no longer take my health for granted. If I didn't start prioritizing my well-being while pursuing my legal aspirations, I might not be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor or, more importantly, help those in my community access the high-quality and equitable legal representation I aspire to provide to future clients. I've come to understand that achieving balance is not a luxury but a necessity in demanding careers. My passion for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially in the legal field, stems from that life-changing event. As a first-generation law student at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, I recognize the importance of putting my health first for my overall success. Law school is demanding yet rewarding, requiring hard work and grit to excel. To reach my highest potential, I am committed to being my best self, both mentally and physically, and I have taken steps to ensure this commitment. Since starting law school in August 2024, I have been attending therapy weekly to equip myself with the tools to manage stress and anxiety. I have also actively incorporated meal prepping, regular vitamin intake, taking breaks when my body alerts me, and increased physical movement into my daily routine. These practices have helped me avoid burnout during my first semester, which has been filled with new and challenging experiences. Academically, I have learned that it is okay to rely on the support systems available to help me achieve success. This realization led me to request and receive accommodations that will allow me to complete all my law school examinations, contributing to my good academic standing. Entering a profession focused on helping others has shown me the importance of prioritizing myself to effectively advocate for others. Before starting law school, I had an epiphany about this principle, and since then, I have fully embraced it. As I continue my journey as a budding lawyer, I firmly believe that prioritizing my well-being will enhance my ability to serve my clients.

Question 1: I'm going to start law school in August 2024. I applied to 18 schools, including New York University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Cardozo Law School, Brooklyn Law School, St. John's Law School, CUNY Law School, Albany Law School, New York Law School, Hofstra Law School, Rutgers Law School, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, New England Law | Boston, Touro Law Center, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Vermont Law School, Western New England University School of Law, Suffolk Law School, and Quinnipiac University School of Law. After receiving eight acceptances and four waitlist offers, I paid a seat deposit and will start at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in late summer. Question 2: Outside formal education, I enhance my learning and intellectual growth by staying curious about the world and its people, which involves volunteering in my community and engaging in oral storytelling. Previously, I volunteered at the Fortune Society, an organization dedicated to assisting formerly incarcerated individuals in their transition back into society. During this time, I worked closely with young people. Their real-life experiences and needs exceeded what I absorbed from textbooks and scholarly articles. Through listening to their stories, as a future attorney, I learned to connect with people, genuinely comprehend their needs, and work towards solutions that align with their necessities rather than imposing my own beliefs. As an advocate, I must support the desires of my clients vigorously. Specifically, these experiences have ignited a passion within me to drive initiatives in the legal field that benefit youth in underserved communities and ensure their voices are heard and acted upon. Question 3: Taking care of my autistic older brother has been a challenging journey. One of the biggest challenges I encountered was dealing with the public busing services the New York Department of Education provided. My brother and other disabled students used to ride to their schools on public buses without air-conditioning. The buses would become unbearably hot, often exceeding 100 ºF during the late spring and summer months. This heat caused my brother to have nosebleeds, and his peers would frequently have seizures. Despite this, none of their elected representatives have taken action to help them. As my brother's protector, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Advocacy can bring about significant change. I contacted the state office responsible for student transportation and advocated for my brother and his bus mates, pushing for air-conditioning installation. It took numerous phone calls and letters over several months before the Department of Education finally agreed to my requests. While I was relieved that my actions would benefit my brother and his peers, I wanted to formalize the air-conditioning policy change for all special needs students in New York City while interning for New York State Assembly Member Aravella Simotas. During my time in her office, I worked with her team to research and draft legislation requiring air-conditioning on New York City public school buses during warm weather. The following spring, I was thrilled to see the mandate we had worked so hard for come into effect. I am thankful for Assembly Member Aravella Simotas and her team's support and collaboration. They shared my vision and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. From this experience, I learned that change is powerful but not easy and requires determination not to give up in the face of obstacles. Question 4: If I had the resources to initiate a philanthropic project, it would be my passion project: The Hidden Youth Campaign (THY Campaign), a social media movement I established. Its main goal is to create awareness surrounding the often-overlooked group of disabled youth in the Juvenile Justice System and address societal misconceptions about them. Our primary objective is to break down the Disability to Prison Pipeline, the School to Prison Pipeline, and other related institutional barriers. This Campaign is built on three main pillars: Teach. Highlight. Yearn. It urges individuals to educate themselves and others about disabled youth involved in the justice system, shed light on the unique injustices they face within their communities, and strive for societal, political, and economic changes to help them realize their full potential. As the sister of a disabled brother and an advocate for educational equity as someone who grew up in under-resourced school districts, I intuitively support disabled youth, especially those impacted by the justice system. All youth deserve an equitable, stimulating, and comprehensive educational experience that enables them to succeed.