Scholarship Application Letter L.L.M.

Environmental Law and Energy Policy

To Whom it May Concern:

After seven years of higher education, and over $100,000 in student loans, many of my friends and family are mystified by my desire to acquire one more degree and another $40,000 of student debt. For me, the extra year and the $40,000 are not a burden, but rather a blessing to further my academic endeavors and will surely enhance my future opportunities. While one cannot put a price on opportunity, there is a certainly a premium to education that must be paid. Like most L.L.M. student, my brain is rich with knowledge but my bank account has been run dry. No one student is more deserving than the other. I can only present to you on an individual level at to why I am deserving of a scholarship to DU. My volunteer work, political activism, and my personal hardship make me a deserving candidate for a scholarship from the University of Denver. I graduated from the University of ______________in May 2004, with a major in sociology, and a minor in Spanish. At this time, I had my sights set on law school, but something told me that I needed a gap year before I was ready to undertake the commitment of law school. My study of sociology and Spanish led me to look for volunteer positions in Latin America. After countless hours of surfing the web, and a lot of good luck, I found a job as an English teacher in Ecuador. Volunteering in Ecuador was the greatest experience of my life. I spent 20 hours a week in the classroom teaching restless 8th graders the basics of the language. Having had zero teaching experience, my time in the classroom proved to be equally educational for the both myself, and the students. Classes would end in the early Ecuador, and the afternoon was dedicated to volunteer work in the indigenous communities. The work in the indigenous communities emphasized health education and cultural exchange. As volunteers, we strived to provide the indigenous communities with the basic necessities, (i.e. toothpaste), and the skills necessary to live a healthier lifestyle. This was a humbling experience. The work in the indigenous communities taught me how to educate people without offending their customs or sense of self worth. Splitting my time between the classroom and the indigenous community, I learned invaluable lessons about myself, and my place in the world. The experience shed light on how privileged my life had been and placed renewed importance on my desire to help

others not as privileged as myself. After two years law school, and Ecuador in the past, I found a way to help the disenfranchised here at home. In the summer of 2007, immigration came to the forefront in Oklahoma. The state had recently passed House Bill 1804 (HB 1804) and took effect in November 2007. The bill is an anti-immigration measure, which regardless of the text, was meant to target Hispanic immigrants. In reaction to the passing of HB 1804, mild hysteria broke out in Tulsa. Police began to enforce immigration laws and they targeted Hispanics for minor crimes to ensue the deportation process. The Hispanic community was awash with rumors and subdued by fear. Luckily, the local leaders reacted to address the problem head on, and I was fortunate enough to get involved. In the summer of 2007, I worked and spoke at numerous immigration seminars. With my Spanish skills, and my legal background, I became an instant asset to the community leaders. I worked closely with the local clergy, business leaders, city councilors, and the community at large. The purposes of the seminars were to educate the Hispanic community about their rights, and to quash the nasty rumors that were spreading fear. With my blond hair and fluent Spanish, I literally became a beacon of light for a community that had lost its trust for its fair skinned brethren. The seminars proved effective and helped ease the growing tension with immigration reform in Oklahoma. This experience was extremely satisfying but also financially draining. I did not receive compensation or mileage for the many seminars I attended and numerous hours I logged. A scholarship to DU would reward the work I have performed and motivate me to continue my advocacy for the less privileged. Last but not least are the personal hardships I have faced in my journey towards my L.L.M

I believe that all students are deserving of a scholarship regardless of their financial necessity or their academic merits. We have all put an enormous amount of time and work in order to get to this place. That being said, my volunteer work, my political activism, and personal hardships make me a perfect candidate for a scholarship to DU. I would thank those giving their time to evaluate our necessity for the scholarship and more importantly, those who make the scholarships available.

Respectfully,