July 31, 2019

The Journey to Success with My Mentor

July 31, 2019/ LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede

By Alexis Cano, Fellow Class of 2015
University of Northern Colorado

A year and a half ago, I began my journey to further my education. I remember having second thoughts about applying to LAW SCHOOL. . . Sí Se Puede because I was starting at a community college. As I began the program, I started feeling confident because Judge Arguello paired me with a mentor, Susie Velasquez, who also continued her education at a community college. Susie has had a great impact in my life and she always has given me great advice for my education, future career, and life itself. Susie and are both first-generation college students, so it makes everything a lot easier to talk about my obstacles as a first-generation college student.

Having Susie in my life has made me realize that anything is possible when you desire it and are willing to work hard to achieve it. This Spring, after two years of hard work, I will graduate from Front Range Community College with my Associates degree in Criminal Justice. She has helped build my confidence level as I now transfer to the University of Northern Colorado in the Fall of 2017.

My desire to pursue my dream as an attorney continues to grow because of the advice I receive from my mentors. I will continue to grow and build my career with these amazing people supporting me and reminding me that I can pursue anything I set my mind to. Judge Arguello knew that I felt a lack of confidence because I was not attending a four-year university, so she made sure to fulfill my needs by connecting me with my mentor whoe went through the same educational track that I was following. I cannot thank my mentor, Susie Velasquez, and LAW SCHOOL. . . Sí Se Puedefor helping me through the first two years of college and for the assistance they will provide me as I move on to obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, and then my law degree.

“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)