The personal injury lawyers at Custodio & Dubey LLP -CD Law understand that paying for higher education can be a significant challenge, particularly for students who are the first in their family to attend a university.
In support of these trailblazing students, Custodio & Dubey LLP – CD Law has proudly created the First-Gen Achievers Scholarship to award $1,000 to a first-generation student to support their pursuit of higher education.
Bio: Ava Rodriguez is a rising Sophomore at Brown University where she is double-majoring in Economics and Sociology. As a first generation college student and Mexican-American, Ava is involved on campus with student organizations such as First-Gens@Brown and Mecha (Mexican Student Association). Ava was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High School in 2025. Post-grad, she hopes to enter a career in marketing. In her free time, Ava enjoys crocheting, baking, and listening to Taylor Swift.
Reaction Statement: “I am honored to have been chosen as the recipient for the CD Lawyer’s 2026 First-Gen Achievers Scholarship! Receiving this scholarship is a reminder that although I am a first-generation college student, there are people who are rooting me on as I complete my education and who wish to see me succeed. The existence of this kind of support is what allows me to remain motivated despite the struggles that accompany being a first-generation college student. I am dedicated to earning my degree not just for my own success, but so I can one day be one of these people rooting on the next cohort of first-generation college students. Thank you to CD Law for believing in me and supporting me in this goal.”
Bio: Isabella Ambeliz is a first-generation student who is a part of the University of Southern California’s class of 2028, pursuing a bachelor’s in chemical engineering. She is from a suburb surrounding Chicago and is a graduate of West Leyden High School. Isabella is a proud Mexican and Guatemalan-American female. She is also the eldest daughter of a single mother and the first in her mother’s entire family to attend college. Isabella was an Illinois State Scholar and has contributed several hours of service to her community by being a teen coach, feeding veterans on Thanksgiving, and more. Some things Isabella enjoys include running, listening to music, and traveling.
Reaction Statement: “I was so surprised and so proud of myself. I am so grateful to receive the scholarship, but also to be able to share my story of what it means to be a first-generation student. I felt excited and accomplished, and the first thing I did was call my mom to tell her that my story meant something to others. I feel great, and it was a reminder of why I work so hard as a student and as a person in general, and it reminded me of my purpose and why I strive for success. The feeling of earning this scholarship is beyond what words can describe, and it’s safe to say that my family and friends share this pride with me.
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