July 31, 2019

Once in a Lifetime

July 31, 2019/ LAW SCHOOL … Sí Se Puede

By Matthew Hinze, Fellow Class of 2015
University of Northern Colorado

Every time I attend an event for Law School: Yes We Can, I’m reminded of the many remarkable experiences that wouldn’t have been available to me if it weren’t for this program. For instance, who can say they have been on a private tour of the Colorado supreme court building, led by Chief Justice Rice herself? I assume not many, and I never would have thought I could either, but the fact that I can makes this program seem even more unbelievable. Even in our classroom setting, we are still experiencing and learning things that most people rarely have the chance to partake in.

Taking the Meyer’s Briggs and Emotional Intelligence tests, have been just two of many eye-opening workshops we’ve participated in. But despite how unique to me these experiences may seem, they don’t compare to the inspiring people that I have personally met because of LSYWC. As a middle class, white male, my life has been mostly free of personal struggle. My family was college educated as far back as my parents can remember, and I’ve never felt naturally disadvantaged by any aspect of my life. However, nothing has been a more humbling and inspiring experience in my life than meeting countless Latino, first-generation college students who have become successful and will continue to be more so than myself. To phrase it simply my experiences with LSYWC have been once in a lifetime. Without them, I surely would not be as successful as I am or could be. I look forward to seeing what the future holds.

“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)