Spring 2025 Community Leaders Scholarship

Alexis Josue Zuniga

With this award, Alexis has the opportunity to focus on his education and pursue his dreams. He aspires to one day be a resource for those who need guidance with navigating the legal system. Congratulations Alexis, and we look forward to what you will achieve!

Read his essay here:

Economic security as an aspiring Latino first-generation law school student is difficult to acclaim. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I was taught at an early age the importance of financial responsibility. Despite spending money on luxuries, I ensured that the majority was saved away for my future. However, despite my efforts to accumulate a healthy financial savings quantity, the average cost to attend law school in California greatly surpassed my expectations. An individual’s financial need represents one of the many obstacles that can hinder and even prevent one from achieving their career goals. Thus, leaving their once held lifelong aspirations to become ultimately forgotten.

The Community Leaders Scholarship will help minimize this stressor by allowing me to dedicate more time to focus on succeeding in law school. If given the honor to be named the scholarship recipient for this award, I will have some financial leverage to spend on resources that will contribute toward my professional goal of earning my Juris Doctorate. This scholarship award will open more doors to resources that I was previously closed off from in the past due to the financial baggage that comes with an American education. Furthermore, knowing I have some financial support to contribute to my legal education, will mean I can spend less time stressing about meeting the vigorous financial expectations set for me and my family. Being successful throughout law school is my priority as I seek to fulfill a leadership role in the professional world utilizing the skills and knowledge to help people in the community navigate our legal system. Many years later, I could look back and be thankful to have had some financial support to make this lifelong aspiration of mine become a reality and not be forgotten.