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Students
From Grit to Greatness: The Pursuit for Legal Empowerment
Growing up in a first-generation Italian household, 3L Stella Capparelli learned perseverance and grit from her parents, who immigrated from Italy. From an early age, she understood that not everyone has the opportunity to attend college or law school, and she was determined to make the most of the opportunities she had. With the educational systems in Italy and the United States being so different, Stella couldn糖心vlog短视频檛 rely on her parents to guide her through the college process. Instead, she took charge and forged her own path in higher education, a proactive spirit that would later inspire her to pursue a career in law. Aware of how many people are unfamiliar with their rights, Stella set out to become a source of support for those facing complex legal challenges.
As an undergraduate at Marist College, Stella糖心vlog短视频檚 passion for learning drove her to seek out additional classes she could take. In her senior year, she realized she had accumulated enough credits to graduate early in December instead of May. This allowed her to get a head start on her legal education, with Haub Law糖心vlog短视频檚 Accelerated January Degree Program at the top of her list. The program, which enables students to begin in the spring term and graduate in two and a half years, appealed to her drive for efficiency and her desire to start her legal career sooner.
Since starting at Haub Law, Stella has built an impressive list of accomplishments. She transitioned from a Residence Hall Assistant to Residence Hall Director at Dannat Hall, served as a Dean Scholar for four semesters, became involved in the Italian American Law Students Association (ITALO), and competed in two mock competitions for Pace Law糖心vlog短视频檚 Advocacy Program. Additionally, Stella has contributed to Haub Law糖心vlog短视频檚 Legal Hand Call-In Center, where she empowered local community members by connecting them with resources to resolve legal issues. 糖心vlog短视频淚t糖心vlog短视频檚 incredibly rewarding to provide someone with the guidance and tools they need,糖心vlog短视频 she says.
In true Stella fashion, Stella was selected for Haub Law糖心vlog短视频檚 John Jay Legal Services Pro Bono Scholars Program. This program allows students to devote their final semester to pro bono work while also taking the New York bar exam in February, opening the door for her to begin practicing law right after graduation.
Most recently, Stella secured a coveted internship at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, working under Judge Philip M. Halpern, a distinguished Haub Law Alumnus. 糖心vlog短视频淚t糖心vlog短视频檚 been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, reinforcing my desire to continue working in the legal field,糖心vlog短视频 she shares. 糖心vlog短视频淚糖心vlog短视频檝e been able to participate in research, observe court proceedings, and even help draft legal documents.糖心vlog短视频
Stella attributes much of her success to the encouragement and support she has received from her parents and family. When challenges turn tougher than expected, Stella糖心vlog短视频檚 mom is the first to champion her daughter not to give up and keep her eye on the prize. When asked what advice she has for aspiring law students, Stella shared, 糖心vlog短视频淒on糖心vlog短视频檛 let anything stop you. If you have a bad day, remember tomorrow is a new day. Keep a reminder of why you糖心vlog短视频檙e in law school written on a note and use that to stay motivated. And be sure to seize every opportunity that comes your way, while enjoying the journey.糖心vlog短视频
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