Cynthia Padilla

"Échale ganas."

Growing up in Colusa, a small, rural farming town in Northern California, my grandpa's simple phrase, "Échale ganas," echoed throughout my life. It means "give it all you've got," and it has guided me through every obstacle I've encountered as a first-generation college student, pushing me to strive for excellence in spaces where I often felt out of place. My perspective as a first-generation student has been shaped by my family's immigrant journey, my experience navigating predominantly white institutions, and my commitment to uplifting others who come from underrepresented communities like mine.

As the daughter and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, I learned early on that opportunities were hard-fought. My mom, who spent her childhood in the tomato fields, made countless sacrifices to ensure I had what she didn't: a chance to pursue higher education. In Colusa, college was rarely discussed, and few students pursued four-year universities. With little guidance, I blazed my own path, earning one of the top spots in my graduating class and securing admission to my dream school, UCLA. Yet, my acceptance came with doubt--community members dismissed my achievement, claiming it was because of my ethnicity rather than my hard work. While their words stung, they fueled my determination to prove them wrong.

At UCLA, I quickly realized that my high school education lacked the resources many of my peers had. My rural high school offered only a handful of AP classes, leaving me far behind students who entered with enough credits to already be classified as sophomores. This disparity was disheartening and led to moments of self-doubt. However, instead of letting those feelings defeat me, I sought community and purpose in campus organizations. I volunteered with the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, mentored underprivileged youth through UCLA UniCamp, and helped first-year students transition to college through the New Student and Transition Programs. These roles gave me a sense of belonging and purpose while teaching me to advocate for others who, like me, felt out of place.

After UCLA, I began working at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where I experienced similar feelings of being an outsider in a space that wasn't designed for people like me. I was one of the only Latinas in my department, and the corporate world was starkly different from anything my family had experienced. But instead of shrinking in the face of imposter syndrome, I leaned into the resilience my upbringing instilled in me. I asked questions, worked hard, and earned a promotion from assistant to coordinator in the benefits department. My work at CAA ignited my passion for entertainment law, a field where I could use my skills to empower creatives-- particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds--to share their stories.

Attending law school as a first-generation student has deepened my understanding of the barriers faced by those who come from marginalized communities. At Southwestern Law School, I've sought opportunities to give back, whether by mentoring first-year students as a Dean's Fellow or serving as a teaching assistant for the Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills program. Through these roles, I've provided academic support and helped my mentees develop the confidence to navigate the challenges of law school. I also served on the Southwestern Law Review, where I refined my legal research and writing skills and further cemented my commitment to academic excellence.

One of the most formative experiences of my legal education has been my externship at a trademark law firm. There, I witnessed the power of intellectual property law in protecting artists and entrepreneurs, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique perspectives to their industries. These experiences have inspired my long-term goal of advocating for creatives who have been historically excluded from traditional power structures. I believe their voices deserve to be heard and their stories shared, and I intend to use my legal career to amplify them.

My journey as a first-generation student has shaped not only my perspective but also my commitment to giving back to the broader California community. Growing up, I was the beneficiary of scholarships and mentorship programs that encouraged me to dream beyond the limitations of my small town. One of my long-term goals is to create a scholarship fund for students in Colusa, helping them access higher education and showing them that their dreams are within reach. As an attorney, I also hope to mentor aspiring law students, particularly those who are the first in their families to pursue this path.

Being a first-generation college and law student has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community. It has also instilled in me a responsibility to pave the way for others, just as my family did for me. These values will guide my contributions to the legal profession and the California community, where I aim to use my education and experiences to empower others, amplify diverse voices, and continue giving it all I've got--"échale ganas."