BLOG | Jennifer Tamariz Bautista
An Insightful Journey
July 2, 2019
While I was in high school, college seemed like a distant or impossible dream. Society and the stereotypes and statistics were always telling me that as a Latina of a lower economic status, college was a distant possibility. They said it was going to be extremely hard and that I would never be able to afford a school like my dream school: The University of Denver. I never let that put me down and I made my dream come true. Yes, I admit my first quarter was very difficult but I didn’t give up, I began as a Computer Science major and that was very hard. A lot of students in my class had a background in programming and coding and I came in with zero knowledge. Then, because Computer Science is in the Engineering department I had to take regular calculus which I unlike my other peers I did not take in high school. Although I was only 40 minutes away from home and my best friend came to the same college as me, I began to feel lost and alone. I’m a first-generation student and I had no idea what to expect from college but my LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) mentors were there for me from the very start and answered my endless questions and made me feel better. I was able to talk to them not only about grades and schoolwork but I also about my culture shock as a Latina in a predominantly white institution. Furthermore, I also knew nothing about Greek life but I knew I wanted to be the first in my entire extended family to join one so I went for it and pledged to the finest ladies of Pi Lambda Chi. The process was very difficult and overwhelming but I remember receiving a text from one of my mentors when I was about to give up, wishing me good luck and telling me that I could do it so I kept going and I’m really glad I did or else I know I would’ve regretted giving up.
LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) has also provided me with knowledge I a very thankful for and appreciate at this time of the year. I am starting to apply for internships, jobs, summer classes etc. and through LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC) this has been made easier thanks to the workshops. I didn’t know what a cover letter was or how to write one but in a recent workshop I was provided with the skills needed to complete one and successfully apply to internships and jobs. They have also provided me with interview skills and so much more.
My first year of college has definitely been a journey I won’t ever forget and I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my mentors and LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (LSYWC). With their help I know that I will make my dreams come true and be the first in my family to obtain a college degree.
On the Road to Success
July 2, 2019
There aren’t enough words to express the gratitude I feel for the people who have made LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can possible. Every morning, I wake up grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. Without LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can, I wouldn’t have the support I receive from my mentors or the opportunity of getting to know the other Fellows, who are some of the most intelligent and driven people I have ever encountered. The network of connections has been one of the biggest benefits I have gained by being a Fellow. This past year, I was able to meet one of my biggest inspirations – U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor – and had the privilege to hear her stories of relentlessness and determination. I was reminded that I can accomplish anything I want as long as I work hard and persevere.
As I’m nearing the end of my undergraduate career, I have relied heavily on my mentors for advice when thinking about what my next steps will be. My mentor, Adrien, has been extremely supportive and has helped me navigate through difficult decisions. Meredith has been such an important figure in my life these past few years. Even from 1,000 miles away, she makes me feel supported by sending me care packages, asking how I am doing, and taking time out of her busy schedule to review my resume or cover letter. In February, I had an interview for an internship position with Molson Coors and my first instinct was to call Meredith so she could help ease my nerves. Andy was one of the best mentors for whom I could have possibly asked. He constantly checked up on me and held me accountable when I needed it. Andy made every effort to ensure I was managing well and treated me like family. He never failed to show up to any of the LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can events to be there to support me. I am forever grateful to have gotten the opportunity to be mentored by him.
LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can has been one of the biggest reasons why I will be able to achieve my dream of attending law school. Judge Arguello and those who serve on the board have provided Fellows with the opportunity to take LSAT courses to better prepare us for the LSAT. They have invested their time, energy and money in us because they believe in us. I am excited to share that this summer, I will be interning at Molson Coors with their legal corporate department, where I will be able to gain more knowledge and experience about one of my passions. None of this would have ever been possible without LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can.
The impact LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can has had goes beyond just me. My family has been impacted through knowing that I have people who support and care about my future. Neither of my parents attended college, and seeing the guidance we receive through what LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can offers is comforting to my family and me. I did not get where I am today without everyone who has invested their time and energy into this organization. I know I will be able to achieve my dreams, and I am grateful to everyone who believed in LAW SCHOOL... Yes We Can and decided to take a chance on me.
An Honor and a Blessing
August 11, 2015
Being a LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede Fellow has been both an honor and a blessing. The relationship I have created with my mentors has definitely been one of the biggest benefits I have gained as a Fellow. Each and every one of my mentors has something unique to contribute, not to mention their genuine interest and concern as to how I am doing. One of my mentors, Andrew Volin, is an attorney at Sherman & Howard. He makes a great effort to ensure we have time to check in with each other and never fails to ask how I'm doing and how I'm managing, not only with my school work, but also with everything else that I am involved in. He gives great insight and oftentimes provides tips for when I'm feeling troubled. Meredith Rose is another one of my mentors. She works as a clerk for Justice Hood and gave me the pleasure of a tour of the Colorado Supreme Court. Meredith also makes sure I'm managing well and is very thoughtful - she sent me and my roommate a care package to help us get through midterms. Adrien Anderson is a student at DU's Sturm College of Law. She too goes through what I am going through with school and oftentimes checks in to see how I'm doing. Since we usually have monthly meetings and not every body's schedule is similar, Adrien always makes sure she takes time to check in with me if she can't make it to any of the group meetings. It's always nice catching up and hearing about how school is going for the both of us. All three of my mentors are an incredible support system. My college experience definitely would not be the same if it weren't for them. I don't always get the support I wish I would get from home, and it's nice having someone to turn to. My mentors cheer me on and encourage me to keep doing what I'm doing, which motivates me to keep working hard so that I can achieve my goals.
Because I did not become a Fellow until I was a sophomore in college, I had a completely different mindset during my freshman year. Being able to get to know Judge Arguello has allowed me to see that I can achieve whatever I want to achieve. It takes hard work and dedication but most importantly, it takes belief in oneself. She is extremely inspiring and such a great role model. It is evident that what she wants most is for younger generations to succeed and because of the support system I have through my mentors and LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede, I know I will. I know I can turn to them whenever I need to whether it is for insight, support, encouragement, or to celebrate my success. Being a LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede Fellow is something I will be eternally grateful for.
“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)