By Cendy De la Torre, Fellow Class of 2015
University of Colorado at Boulder
Being a LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede Fellow has brought many opportunities my way. From workshops that have helped me obtain study skills to use during my first year of college, to amazing advice from my mentors; this program has provided me with indispensable resources. Before I even became a Fellow, Judge Arguello provided me with the opportunity to be an intern at an immigration law firm. During my interview process for the program, Judge Arguello noticed that I had a passion for immigration law. She told me that a good friend of hers was looking for an intern for the summer and that I should apply. Before I even left the parking lot from my interview, I received an email from Judge Arguello with the information.
I was quite hesitant to apply for the internship since I was still a senior in high school. I had never interned anywhere before, and I had never even made a cover letter like the one the application was requesting. After thinking about it for some time I came to the conclusion, “if Judge Arguello believes that I can do it even though we have only met once, I should give it a try.” I applied to the internship and was surprised to hear back from Lynn Doble, the lawyer I could potentially intern for the next day. She wanted to meet for an interview and when I told her that I could do it after my graduation day, she excitedly congratulated me and said that she could not wait to meet!
The interview had a very happy ending. The same day I was told that I was accepted and could start the following week. Even though my time was short at the office, the summer I spent there will be an unforgettable one. I made lifelong friends with the lawyers and paralegals who work at the Aguirre Law Group, and gained yet another family. I worked with clients who were both detained and others who going through immigration proceedings. I had the opportunity to learn about their experiences and how my work could impact their lives. Even though I was only an intern, this experience made me feel like I had an impact on my community and on the lives of everyone who I worked with.
Looking back at this experience almost a year later, it is incredible how I was able to obtain this opportunity even before I became a Fellow. Judge Arguello’s and all of the LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede team’s commitment to empowering students is contagious. We as Fellows also empower one another and know that we have a family ready to support us whenever we need motivation. I am grateful to be a LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede Fellow and for all of the love and support I have received.
