July 31, 2019

Different Routes

July 31, 2019/ LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede

By Kassandra Escoto, Fellow Class of 2016
Metropolitan State University

I never thought I would make it this far. I look back at the past and I begin realizing that every single obstacle, every single sacrifice, has all been worth it. The very first move I decided to take was leaving my parents in Mexico and deciding to come to the United States of America, to pursue my one and only dream. My dream of becoming a lawyer, someday. Most of my life has revolved around my family, and I constantly moving back and forth from Mexico, to Colorado. This being due to my father’s deportation for being an illegal immigrant. After years of constantly traveling, I finally settled with my grandparents when I was about to enter high school. My High school years were though. I would feel lonely most of the times because I really wished I was with my family. What would get me through it all, was my dream. I knew I had to continue studying and working hard to graduate and possibly attend college, and so I did.

In the year of 2016 I graduated high school. This was a huge achievement for me. I was really proud of myself. After graduating, I attended Metropolitan State University. My first year was tough but I knew that college was not going to be easy. Thankfully I did not have to go through the struggles alone. My mentors from Law School…Yes We Can have always been there for me, from the start. College has not been easy for me, there has been moments of frustration, confusion and stress, but I know I must continue working hard because I have a dream that I refuse to not reach. My path has been different from other fellows in Law School… Yes We Can, but just because it has been a little different it does not mean I will not be able to reach my goal. It might take me a little longer than others, but I just know that no matter how long this journey takes, I will be graduating college, I will be attending law school, and I will become a lawyer.

“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)