BLOG | Dimitrius Wells
My LSYWC Experience
June 7, 2019
I have been in LSYWC/LSSSP since 2014. I am part of the first class of the program. At the time, I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to be a lawyer, but I figured if I took part of this program, then it would help me make up my mind. Three years later, I now know that I want to be a lawyer. I love the fact that they pair you with individuals who are either in the law field already or are in the process of doing so (they are in law school). This year, my Junior year, I am getting ready to take my very first LSAT, which is extremely nerve wracking, but fascinating. Though I still do not feel ready to take the test, I do know that LSYWC will do anything possible to ensure that I am prepared. Something that I really love about this program is that they strive to not only get you to perform at maximum performance on your LSAT, but they also sign you up for LSAT prep classes, which everyone knows can be extremely pricey. Though I haven’t started taking the class yet, I do know that it will be a rigorous program because it a 4-hour class, twice a week, up until the actual test date for the LSAT. The involvement that I have with this program today is nowhere what it once was. I am now taking practice LSATS every week. I am also reviewing readings that are based around the LSAT to ensure that I get a complete understanding of what is expected during the actual LSAT exam. I would have never thought of any of this had it not been for this program, which is why I have a high appreciation for it.
My hopes are that I get around a 168 on my LSAT, since most law schools focus on your LSAT score more than anything else. Scoring this will hopefully allow me to get into majority of my law schools. I am still not sure whether or not I want to end up on the east coast or west coast for law school, but I guess I will figure that out very soon. Since it is no secret that law school is expensive, I am also hoping to get a significant scholarship with my LSAT score. I will be the first lawyer in my immediate family, which is something that I am looking forward to.
“You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be”
June 17, 2016
Since I was a child, I knew that I would be an attorney. Before wanting to be an attorney, I wanted to be the governor of Colorado. That dream was instantly shattered when my then family doctor had said “Dimitrius you will never be the governor of Colorado, be more realistic.” At the time, I could not understand why he would say such a thing to me because, in my eyes, this was a very achievable goal. I informed my parents of this statement, and they both reassured me that I could be whatever I wanted to be. Since that day, I believed that I could do whatever I put my mind to. Because my parents have always been my support system, I have to thank them for the high confidence levels that I have today. Whatever I want, I go after until I actually get it. So, when I found about about LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede, I knew that this would be the key to opening as many doors as I want open.
Joining LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede, has definitely allowed me to have opportunities that I may not have had. I have had the privilege to attend monthly meetings that not only pertain to law, but also, discuss how to further one’s education and success in the near future. Additionally, I have given speeches about this program to other attorneys and have had phone conversations with co-workers of my mentors as part of my efforts to obtain internships with a law firm in order to further my college career and preparation for law school. Most recently, I was interviewed by Channel 9 News regarding my achievements since entering college and how LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede has helped me. Because LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede has such a powerful team of attorneys, law students, as well as board of directors, I believe that sky is the limit when it comes to having success in this program. A phrase from one of my mentors that has stuck with me is “you literally have connections at your fingertips.” To me this meant that I should take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to me, because not everyone has something this beneficial handed to them.
I know that none of this would have been possible had I not heard about this program during my senior year of high school. During my senior year of high school, I was on the mock trial team. It was a week after graduation when my coach reached out to inform me of this program. She had explained this this was a program for underrepresented minorities who aspire to be attorneys in the future. When I read an overview of this program, I instantly applied because of the values of the program and the opportunities that were being presented to participants. When I told my parents about the program, I remember them both saying “why would you not apply.”
Since being a member of this program, I have had numerous peers tell me how they wish they had heard of this program when they were in high school. Having the same thoughts as me, they too, believe that the skills I am learning and the network I am developing as a result of being involved in LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede are keys that can open many doors for my future. As I have talked to my peers about this program, I also talk to adults and professors about this program. I have never received a negative response from individuals when discussing this program with them. They, in fact, applaud me for having the courage to join LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede. When speaking with “individuals of color,” they are especially proud me because they believe that this proves that anyone can choose to be successful as long as they want to be. I applaud the board of directors for this program, because they too know what it looks and feels like to be passed up for opportunities due to the simple fact that they do not look the “same” as others. I refuse to let my skin tone hold me back. I love proving others wrong by simply not living up to the negative stereotypes that are put on minority students. When I speak to my parents about this program, as well as the other programs and ambitions that I have for my future, I know that they are in awe of the moment. They can be proud that they have crafted a confident, intelligent student who will always choose the success route no matter what barriers get in the way.
“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)