Pave Your Way Scholarship

Congratulations to our Scholarship Winners!

HN Injury Lawyers is grateful for the opportunity to learn how so many students are fighting to pave the way for others in their community. We would like to thank everyone who applied for the Pave Your Way Scholarship and shared their hopes and dreams with us. We believe that each of you will take great strides to createa brighter future for all of us, and we hope that our contributions to your education will carry you a little further.

HN Injury Lawyers extends a warm thank you to everyone who applied and welcomes you all to learn about our winner below. Please check our blog and Facebook page for further announcements and future scholarship opportunities.

2022 Winning Entry

"Growing up, I was raised to be independent and never rely on others, but I’ve learned that a helping hand oftentimes does more good than harm."

- Jasmine T., 2022 Scholarship Winner

Short Essay

"I have had the privilege of living a life filled with resources that past generations never had. I live with a mind and a heart characterized by endless gratitude. With this, I hope to do my part in being a catalyst for positive societal change, ensuring that our nation does better, and getting justice for those that rightfully deserve it."
- Jasmine T.

As a first-generation Asian American child, my family raised me to always act with compassion, with love, to positively impact society through the opportunities presented before me in this country that my parents and grandparents had worked so hard to immigrate to. I have had the privilege of living a life filled with resources that past generations never had. I live with a mind and a heart characterized by endless gratitude. With this, I hope to do my part in being a catalyst for positive societal change, ensuring that our nation does better, and getting justice for those that rightfully deserve it. To achieve this, I’m cognizant of the fact that I must educate myself to the best that I can, equipping myself with the knowledge that will prepare me for the future that lies ahead.

Although I always knew I desired to pursue higher education, possibly even past undergraduate school, it took time to discover my true passion. Although my loved ones will never know, they were the very people that assisted me in discovering the career field that I now plan on pursuing. Because I’m an only child, I often depended on other family members for a little bit of extra support, specifically my aunts. We converse about everything, and although many of our talks remain lighthearted, I also listen to their struggles with an open mind and caring heart. Unfortunately, by the time I turned sixteen, two of them had endured divorces, one of whom also underwent a custody battle. These situations have forever altered my family’s views of familial dynamics, as the word "family" is now a complicated concept. It isn’t as simple as we initially presumed, our realities altered forever.

Essentially, I’ve learned that building a family can be difficult. It has the potential to be challenging. Sometimes, life doesn’t go as planned, and situations can develop messily. From supporting them through these difficult times, I've learned that navigating these scenarios requires both a reliable support system and an empathetic attorney that’s willing to advocate for you and what you deserve.

"I strive to pave a better road for the next generations of Asian Americans to come, as the United States should be a land that welcomes and appreciates all. Although the journey to a more inclusive nation may be difficult, I am a firm believer that nothing good ever comes easily, or without a bit of work and effort."
- Jasmine T.

These unique situations affect different people in varying ways, but the one common denominator is needing someone to depend on, as it’s not an easy thing to handle on your own. Growing up, I was raised to be independent and never rely on others, but I’ve learned that a helping hand oftentimes does more good than harm. Many immigrant families are taught to do everything entirely on their own due to the trauma and hardship they have faced, but in time, this thought process and point of view will be altered, generation to generation.

Subconsciously, I believe that I always knew that I was interested in the legal field, constantly seeking experiences to fuel these ambitions - like participating in student government, philanthropy clubs, and nonprofits. The experiences of my loved ones just confirmed that this was the path for me. In addition to this, part of my motivation stems from my belief that more people of color in law are needed to ensure that minorities receive adequate representation in our governing system: less than 5% of lawyers in the U.S. are Asian.

Especially in times like these, where Asian American hate crimes are exponentially rising and xenophobia is sprinkled across national news, the need for representation is dire. My family didn't flee their homelands, striving for the “American Dream,” to live in a country that forces them to mask their identities, their culture– who they are as people. We deserve a sense of belonging, inclusion, and pride– the same as everyone else. I strive to pave a better road for the next generations of Asian Americans to come, as the United States should be a land that welcomes and appreciates all. Although the journey to a more inclusive nation may be difficult, I am a firm believer that nothing good ever comes easily, or without a bit of work and effort.

All in all, with the knowledge regarding law that I've accumulated, I've also attained comprehension of the emotional battle that comes with the court logistics of these cases. I recognize that individuals and their families enduring these circumstances will require someone that’s on their side: a supportive and compassionate attorney. And I know that I’d like to be that person for others.

- Jasmine T.


2021 Winning Entry

"Any opportunity I get to overcome a difficulty or conflict in my own life, or if I can be of assistance to someone else, I make sure I get it done tenfold."

- Stephanie B., 2021 Scholarship Winner

Short Essay

"If I can help change at least one life and make a child safer or receive the justice they deserve, that one life will do the same for someone or something else in the future."
- Stephanie B.

If you were to tell my mother ten years ago today that her daughter would be attending the University of Hawaii, she would tell you that you are out of your mind. I have always been an overachiever in everything I do in my life, especially if someone thinks I can't do it. Any opportunity I get to overcome a difficulty or conflict in my own life, or if I can be of assistance to someone else, I make sure I get it done tenfold.

Currently, I work as a nanny/caregiver to children with special needs all along the spectrum and including kids with cerebral palsy. I know that my impact may not be one to change their way of living, but if I can just give them one more smile or make their day go by any smoother than the day before, then I am at their side through it all.

My biggest dream is to go to law school and become a lawyer to help others who have experienced injustice. I have been working with kids since my very first job working as a taekwondo coach. I want to be an advocate for children and their rights. In today's world, so many children go through cruel, unjust trauma with absolutely no representation.

In order for a change to be made, representation and advocating for their rights is the first step to really making a difference. Our future depends on how the children and future generations are treated and fought for. Children have far less representation than they deserve. If I can help change at least one life and make a child safer or receive the justice they deserve, that one life will do the same for someone or something else in the future. If I can help one child’s life under the law, whether it be getting them out of a dangerous situation or having their voice actually represented, it can change their whole outlook on life and what they will do for others in the future.

"Pursuing a college degree, and further into law school in the future, is of utmost importance to me and my family because I want to show my siblings and parents that anyone can make a change no matter how little or how big their actions may be."
- Stephanie B.

I am currently transferring as a junior in college to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to pursue my bachelor’s degree in psychology and law. Many people I know personally will take the easy route of not pursuing a challenging, time-consuming, and competitive role in receiving a college education. I am pursuing my degree and dream of future education in law school because I know it will be difficult. I know it will be competitive and time-consuming, but it is worth it if, in the long run, I am able to help ensure a better life for someone else, or even help serve them the justice their rights apply.

Pursuing a college degree, and further into law school in the future, is of utmost importance to me and my family because I want to show my siblings and parents that anyone can make a change no matter how little or how big their actions may be. Anyone who has met me knows when I have a dream, I pursue it. It is so important to not only my community, but to myself that I can earn a degree in order to take the next step and be closer to really making an impact on the justice our country has.

- Stephanie B.