The life experiences I had to go through in order to get where I am today have shaped my decision of attending community college and continuing with my studies. I am a first-generation immigrant and one of nine children in my family. I was born in Argentina and came to the United States with my family at the age of two. The church offered us support as we started building our life in the United States. Growing up in a large immigrant family meant that I had to be responsible, resilient and resourceful. Despite the strong educational foundation, I encountered unique challenges related to my immigration status. As I grew older, I realized that I did not have the same opportunities as my peers. I could not get a driver’s license or find work because I did not have a Social Security number. For years, I felt like I was on the outside looking in. Eventually, I was able to apply for DACA, but even that status brought its own set of challenges. The process is grueling, costly and must be done every two years. These challenges could have easily deterred me, but they became part of my motivation to pursue higher education. Community college was the best first step for me. Salt Lake Community College has given me the chance to start my education in an affordable and supportive environment. It allows me to support myself, help my family and pay my DACA renewal fees while pursuing my education. My experiences have also influenced my career choice. I want to become an immigration lawyer so I can advocate for the people facing the same struggles I did. I know how life changing it was to have someone by my side and guide me through the process. That is what I want to provide for others. My educational goal is to complete my associate degree at SLCC and then transfer to a four-year university for my bachelor’s degree. I would then like to proceed to law school and pursue a career as an immigration attorney. Each step of this journey is intertwined with my personal story and desire to help others. Community college has been the right place for me to begin this path. The scholarship has opened doors to educational opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise and it continues to be a critical support for my academic journey toward achieving my long-term aspirations. My experiences as an immigrant, a first-generation student and one of nine siblings have forged my determination to overcome adversity and achieve success. My education is equally vital for others who walk the same path I do.

My name is Lucia Sarno and I am a first-generation college student pursuing a Social Science degree at Salt Lake Community College. I was born in Argentina and moved to the U.S. when I was two. I grew up with 8 other siblings, which you can imagine was very difficult. There were times we did not have food on our table and more often than not, I would wear hand-me-downs. I thought I was just like any other American child until I started facing challenges that my peers never had to worry about. I was unable to obtain a driver’s license or a job. But when I finally was able to apply for DACA, new opportunities became possible. While DACA has allowed me to pursue my dreams, it also comes with unique challenges and uncertainties. Every two years, I pay the steep price of renewal just to continue working and living without worry. They also add up very quickly and it is hard to constantly save up for them and other expenses while trying to pay tuition and other bills. In addition to the usual costs of being a student, I also have to budget for my legal status and government fees. The financial struggles we face are a heavy burden and at the same time, they have been a driving force in my academic journey. My ultimate career goal is to become an immigration lawyer. I want to make sure that all immigrants know their rights and are treated fairly so that they can pursue their dreams just like I did. The criminal justice system is not perfect and one of the biggest problems it has today is the lack of due process for immigrants. Because of this, the affected individuals are placed in detention facilities and denied their constitutional rights. I want to be the person who stands beside those families and individuals as they try to obtain a better life through immigration and assist them in ensuring that their dignity and fairness are respected. I am taking every opportunity I can to learn more about law. I am currently volunteering at a bankruptcy law firm. While this is not the area of law I aim to pursue, it has given me a better comprehending of how attorneys and paralegals process their work to help clients. I have witnessed how the right kind of legal help can give people hope and the ability to rebuild their lives. Law is about people and what you can do with the knowledge to impact lives. I do not have the financial capacity and family background experience to support me through college as a first-generation student. Balancing work, tuition, DACA renewal fees and everyday expenses is a struggle. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to focus more fully on my education and continue building the foundation for my future career in law. It would ease the financial burden and bring me closer to my goal of becoming an immigration lawyer. This scholarship would not only relieve my stress, but also help me achieve my goals and, most importantly, allow me to help those who are in the same position that I once was.

As a first-generation immigrant and college student, my life journey is one of perseverance fueled by faith and hope for a better tomorrow. I was born in Argentina and came to the U.S. at the age of two. I have eight siblings and we all came to the United States with the Holy Spirit by our side, keeping us strong and protected. Growing up, I believed I was just like everyone else until I started struggling as an adult in ways others did not. I could not obtain a driver’s license or apply for a job because I did not have a social security number. I was able to find my way through God’s grace and the help of others. I was finally put in touch with a lawyer who helped me apply for DACA, also known as the Dreamers Act. It was a very complicated and pricey process, but it changed my life. For the first time, I was able to work legally and begin pursuing higher education. It made me realize how critical it is to have a knowledgeable and compassionate person by your side and I decided that I wanted to devote my life to helping others in similar situations. Today, I am pursuing Social Science at Salt Lake Community College with the goal of becoming an immigration lawyer. I deserve this scholarship because I am committed to applying my education for the betterment of others. My ultimate goal is to stand beside immigrants fighting the long and terrifying battle of staying in this country. I want them to know that they are not alone and justice can be on their side. I know it will not be easy, but I am ready to fight and overcome every obstacle as I have always done before. I am also gaining experience through volunteer work at a bankruptcy law firm. While I do not plan to specialize in this area, it has helped me understand how attorneys and paralegals handle cases to assist clients. Every time I watch a client walk out of the office with hope renewed, I am reminded why I feel called to legal work. I see how education and advocacy have the power to change lives and I am confident that I will be able to accomplish the same in immigration law. This scholarship would make a deep difference in my life. I am a first-generation student who does not have the financial background or family experience to help me navigate college independently. Balancing work, tuition and living expenses is a constant struggle and this scholarship would ease my financial burden tremendously. But more importantly, it would remind me that I am not alone on this journey and that my community and faith are behind me as I walk toward a healthier life. Through God’s grace, I have come this far and believe that He has called me to this path for a reason. With the help of this scholarship, I will be able to continue studying and dedicate myself to my calling as a Christian which is to serve others through immigration law.

One major issue in the criminal justice system today is the lack of due process. This is especially evident in immigration cases where the victims are sent to detention centers without being accorded their constitutional rights. This lack of fairness and dignity is one of the biggest problems in our system and it is therefore something I am very passionate about changing, hence the desire to pursue law. I want to stand beside immigrants as they go through these processes and ensure that they know and understand their rights just like any American citizen would. My connection to this issue is profoundly personal, not just academic. I was born in Argentina and I moved to the United States at age two. For a long time, I thought I was just like any other American kid. It wasn’t until I got older that I understood what my home life meant. While my peers were getting their first jobs or driver’s licenses, I couldn’t because I didn’t have a Social Security number. These barriers left me feeling isolated and unsure about my future. Everything changed when I was connected to a lawyer who explained my rights and introduced me to programs for immigrant children like myself. With their support I was able to apply for DACA (dreamers act). It was complicated, stressful, expensive, but also life-changing. The ability to work, pursue higher education and plan for the future became a reality. More importantly, it showed me how critical it is to have knowledgeable legal support in dire circumstances. That lawyer gave me more than legal help. She gave me back the hope and dignity I had lost. That experience planted the seed for my future career as an immigration attorney. I am currently volunteering at a bankruptcy law firm. I just wanted to know what it was like to be a lawyer on a day-to-day basis and if it was something I could realistically see myself doing. Over time my role has grown and I have come to really enjoy being in that environment. While this is not the area of law I intend to practice, it has given me a unique opportunity to witness the difference we can make in people’s lives through legal work. Thanks to the support of experienced attorneys, they can obtain the needed stability and start regaining their lives. I am privileged to work alongside the bankruptcy attorneys and paralegals and observe how cases are handled. The cases made me realize that law is more than just paperwork and court procedures. It is about helping people rebuild their lives and reclaim their futures. It motivates me to pursue immigration law and help people who face even bigger struggles. These experiences are propelling my career forward and solidifying my passion for advocacy. The journey as an immigrant, my DACA experience and current volunteer work have always been the pillars of my identity and commitment to justice. They remind me every day why I want to dedicate my life to ensuring that others are treated fairly and know their rights. I want to be the person who holds families’ hands and walks them through one of the most difficult moments in their lives, just like a lawyer once did for me. In addition, I want to enable them by reassuring that they are not alone and that the law can stand in their defense. The lack of due process in our criminal justice systems, especially immigration, is a huge problem. But it is one that can be solved if more advocates understand both the law and lived experiences of immigrants. My education, experiences and determination are the steps toward achieving that goal.