The Road to Advocacy and Justice by Nazarii

The Road to Advocacy and Justice by Nazarii - March 2025 Scholarship Essay

Ten years from now, I picture myself standing in a courtroom, not just as a lawyer, but as someone who’s fighting for people who’ve been pushed to the side of the room by the legal system. I’ll be a criminal defense attorney, and my mission will be simple but powerful: to make sure justice isn’t just something for the privileged few but rather it is a right for everyone. The road to get there won’t be easy, but every challenge, every setback, and every win will have shaped me into the person I need to be to do this work.

Right now, I’m laying the groundwork. I’m in the Running Start program at Clark College, while still enrolled in high school and taking college classes. It’s not always easy, but it’s teaching me discipline and how to think critically—skills I know I’ll need in law school and beyond. In the next two years, I’ll have my bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Washington State University. That’s where I’ll dive deeper into understanding how legal systems work, how policies shape lives, and how human rights play out in the real world.

After that my focus changes to law school. I’m aiming for schools in Texas or Florida—places where I can get a top-notch education without burying myself in debt. While I’m there, I’ll soak up every bit of experience I can. Internships at law firms, working with public defenders, learning from lawyers who’ve spent their lives fighting for justice—it’s all part of the plan.

By the time I pass the bar, I see myself at a law firm that’s known for standing up for people who’ve been wronged. I won’t just be there to win cases; I’ll be there to make a real difference. I want to stand beside people who’ve been unfairly accused, immigrants navigating a system that’s stacked against them, and families who’ve been torn apart by circumstances they can’t control. My education will give me the tools to navigate the law, but it’s my heart that’ll drive me to fight for them.

And it won’t stop in the courtroom. I want to be part of changing the system itself. I’ve seen how confusing and overwhelming legal processes can be, especially for people who don’t have the resources to figure it all out. I want to work on initiatives that make legal help more accessible—whether that’s through pro bono work, speaking out about the need for reform, or even pushing for changes in the law.

Outside of work, I want to stay connected to my community. Maybe I’ll mentor students who are dreaming of becoming lawyers, helping them navigate the same challenges I faced. Or I’ll run workshops for immigrants, making sure they know their rights and aren’t taken advantage of because of language barriers or lack of knowledge.

And yeah, I want balance too. My work will be demanding, but I still want to live a full life—traveling, staying active in my church, keeping up with sports and martial arts. Success, to me, isn’t just about having a stable career; it’s about having the freedom to live life on my own terms while helping others do the same.

Ten years might sound like a long time, but I know every step I take now is building the future I want. My education is the bridge between where I am and where I want to be. It’s giving me the skills, the resilience, and the knowledge to make a real impact. I’m ready for the challenges ahead because I know they’re shaping me into the person I’m meant to be—a lawyer, an advocate, and someone who fights for justice, no matter what.