2021 Scholarship Recipients Give Thanks

Alumni and other members of the California Western community make a difference in the lives of our students every year by providing scholarship support. Our students, in return, express their gratitude in many ways, including encouragement of their fellow students, service to the community, and a commitment by many to pay the gift of support forward in their lives and careers once they graduate.

Here is a sampling of the gratitude our students feel for scholarships made possible by private support this year…

“This award represents not only myself but my people, my island, and my culture. Thank you for recognizing my commitment to diversity, but most importantly thank you for allowing me to represent the underrepresented.”

Kamalani Tydingco ‘23

Recipient of the Diversity Scholarship Funded by anonymous donors “Deciding to attend California Western School of Law was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I cannot thank you enough for making this possible and for helping me make my dreams a reality.”

Krista D. Walker ‘21

Recipient of the Alec Cory Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Services Funded by Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP “Being selected for a scholarship with Hawaii and Asian Pacific Islander ties is much more meaningful because I feel like it is my family who is supporting me in my desire to become an attorney. Just as you are helping me in my journey, I will never forget what your support has meant to me, and I will one day pay your generosity forward and help others to succeed.”

Chae M. Kim ‘21

Recipient of the Han P. and Meredith J. Ching Scholarship Funded by Han ’74 and Meredith Ching

“I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the late Mr. O’Neil for funding my scholarship, and I will never forget what he has helped make possible for me. I am forever grateful for his commitment and willingness to help students like me achieve our goals.”

Omar Hernandez ‘21

Recipient of the James P. O’Neil Scholarship Funded by a bequest from the late James O’Neil ‘73 “I am beyond honored and blessed to have been awarded with the Erica Brown Gardner Mediation Clinic Scholarship. Not only did it help cover bar examrelated expenses, but it also validated my efforts and accomplishments. I don’t know what life after the bar exam will be like, but I am ready for any new opportunity or challenge that comes my way.”

Jonathan Gonzalez ‘21

Recipient of the Erica Brown Gardner Mediation Clinic Scholarship Funded by family and friends of the late Erica Brown Gardner ‘01 “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would receive recognition, let alone a scholarship, for my academic performance in law school. This scholarship will help me immensely with tuition. More importantly, your generosity has inspired me to do something for others in return.”

Alexis Lamprea ‘22

Recipient of the Professor William C. and Sally B. Lynch Scholarship Funded by the Lynch family and members of the Cal Western community

“I look forward to giving back to the California Western community once I begin my legal career. I want to help young women of color realize a legal career is a very real possibility for them. The legal profession can only benefit from a diverse and inclusive bar.”

Ariel Valerio-Meek ‘21

Recipient of the CWSL Trustees Award Funded by the California Western School of Law Board of Trustees “This award will always be very special to me because it reaffirms that I am on the right path. A path towards justice, equality, and equity for all. Thank you for your continued support to California Western Law students like myself.”

Jasmine Young ‘21

Recipient of the Justice Judith L. Haller Scholarship Funded by Justice Judith Haller ‘75 “Thank you for your generosity and the opportunity to be the recipient of this year’s Harvey R. Levine Scholarship. I feel honored to be associated with his name, and I look forward to contributing to the work he started. I hope that one day I may pay your kindness forward, and that I can contribute even a fraction of what Mr. Levine was able to contribute to the legal community.”

James Durbin III ‘21

Recipient of the Harvey R. Levine Scholarship Funded by the family and friends of the late Harvey Levine