June 01, 2020

Year Uno

June 01, 2020/ LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede

By Hannia Pantoja, Fellow Class of 2019
Metropolitan State University of Denver

When Law School Yes, We Can was first introduced to me, I was immediately intrigued. A program that wants to support students like me entering law school; I must learn more! Almost halfway into my collegiate career is when I learned of this fellowship. The program is intended/designed to be started upon commencing post-secondary education. Fortunately, I was happy to learn I was still eligible to apply! Law School Yes, We Can (LSYWC) has altered and elevated my life in only positive ways. Though this is still only my first year in the program, there is much that I’m happy about!

One awesome and unique part of belonging to the program is the possibility of LSYWC to pay for your LSAT prep courses! These prep courses are highly beneficial but do come at a cost. Knowing that your commitment to the program could be rewarded with this, means everything to first-generation students.

Arguably the most meaningful component of LSYWC are its wonderful mentors. Having individuals who have been through law school or are currently in law school as contacts in my cellphone is crazy to me. It is “crazy” to me because my family doesn’t know any lawyers, unless it is their lawyer. My mentors are really everything, they don’t just say they support me but actually do it. They have become a pivotal part of my scholarly journey. I can name at least a couple situations where I would have missed opportunities. If it had not been for my mentors and (because) the LSYWC fellowship program. I only wish I had the chance to begin growing my bond/relationship with them sooner! However I’m happy and grateful to have them in my life now and for my future endeavors! I have received more than I could have imagined in my first year! I have learned of opportunities to internships I otherwise wouldn’t have even known about. The Myers Briggs Personality workshop was perhaps my favorite one this year. It went deeper than any other personality tests you’ve ever possibly taken. The results are specific for you and come with advice. Advice which is beneficial in both professional and personal spheres of life.

Lastly, but not in the least bit important I have learned/received networking. Through events like the end of year Holiday Fiesta! I’m very much a homebody but I’m so glad I decided to attend the Holiday Fiesta. The speaker gave a very much needed motivational speech. And I had the chance to connect with lawyers in Colorado! I even met a lawyer whose father comes from Guanajuato, a Mexican state where I also I’m from. That was a very special moment!

“Sí, Se Puede” is a phrase born of farmworkers, who, under the leadership of the UFW, César Chávez, and Dolores Huerta, fought valiantly for equal protection under the law. As a result of the efforts of the UFW, “Sí, Se Puede” has become well known as a call that engenders hope and inspiration in those who face similar battles. We thank the UFW, whom we acknowledge to be the sole and exclusive owner of the Trademark SI SE PUEDE, for granting us a limited license to use“Sí, Se Puede” in connection with our efforts to recruit, in Colorado, students of Hispanic or Latino descent for our law school pipeline program. For more information about the programs offered by the UFW, please see UFW’s webpage (www.ufw.org); UFW Foundation’s webpage (www.ufwfoundation.org); and UFWF’s immigration services webpage (www.sisepuede.org)