Ever-Growing Change Through the Legal Field by Raquel

Ever-Growing Change Through the Legal Field by Raquel - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

There are many injustices in the United States today. I have experienced them firsthand as a young Latina in a predominantly white community. At my job, which is an amusement- styled bounce house, I have witnessed ableism questioning whether or not certain children are allowed to play among the masses. Ultimately, these are both evidence of a legal structure that promotes systematic discrimination. As children, we are socialized to believe that we can fight these systems to create change. I now know that the best way to make an effective impact is to work from the inside-out and to become part of that legal structure.
The first step I have taken to explore this legal structure was applying and being selected to study at a competitive magnet high school in my county specializing in the law and justice field. This has given me numerous educational opportunities and perspectives about various parts of the law that are essential to maintaining a well-functioning government. Classes from Constitutional Law to Criminology to Public Policy have taught me about the American Justice system and the ideas that make us a democracy. In public policy, we have interviewed local policymakers like your county commissioners to find local societal issues in your county that we want to ameliorate. We have also learned about the thought processes behind public policies such as a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility issues. Criminology has even made me take a deep-dive into the idea of “moral entrepreneurs” and if society itself is creating these so-called “criminals” while disproving the beliefs that being a criminal can be biological.
The foundation I received at my high school has allowed me to take numerous opportunities outside of the classroom as well. With each opportunity I have taken, I have seen how the law plays a major part in everyone’s life. In the Juvenile Conference Committee, we are preventing recidivism in at-risk minors to help them forget about their past mistakes and focus on the future. In District 38’s Youth Advisory Board, I will be able to share and opinionate on policies that directly affect my peers and I to ensure that my district’s youth has a voice. Even interning at Lustberg Law Offices has shown me the necessary skills and leadership needed to become a lawyer as well as how the law affects those convicted of crimes, and how to best support and represent others to make sure they have a fair, impartial trial. Even interning at BMW North America Headquarters, LLC has not only shown me different legalities within corporations, I have spoken with other departments on disability-related issues within the corporation after discussing my interest in disability law.
I have been involved in so many different legal experiences from a young age as I strongly believe in the importance of civic participation and that at any age you can make a difference in your community. Civic participation is essential in the roots of American Democracy as it gives the constituents of an area a voice and an opportunity to be involved in their community while influencing important decisions affecting them. Age is just a number that will never stop me from taking action in my community and emerging myself in the legal field.
Law has the power to shape constituents’ lives whether on the local or national level. Being a part of the law would help me have the most impact on my community. Even though I may not be able to eliminate the problems that I am passionate about, I know that with hard work and determination, I can assist in ameliorating the societal issues that I am interested in. I do not want my life to go to waste, and I want to shape the world around me. I believe that the future is ours for the taking, and we can accomplish what we put our minds to. I want to pursue this as my career and I want to make a difference in the legal system.
Majoring in political science during my undergraduate years will grant me a stronger foundation before entering law school and entering the legal field. A field I hope to utilize in order to change the lives of those around me.