A Merrill Lynch Scholarship Recipient Prepares for California Bar Exam

Published: December 30, 2008

Araceli Gonzalez was in high school when she decided her dream was to become an attorney. However, for an immigrant family led by a widowed, unemployed mother of three, the dream seemed almost impossible, until the day Araceli Gonzalez learned she was the recipient of the Merrill Lynch Scholarship Program.

In April 1998, Ms. Gonzalez and nine other collegebound students received a special four-year, $4,000 Merrill Lynch scholarship for high-potential youth in Southern California. The scholarships were part of a community development initiative, the Merrill Lynch California Partnership for Economic Achievement. During the 10-year partnership, Merrill Lynch invested more than $950 million in California in small business, philanthropic, diversity and educational programs.

With the financial support of the Merrill Lynch scholarship, Ms. Gonzalez, now 28, completed her undergraduate program at the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated this year from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City.

While studying law, she completed externships with William Nixon, a U.S. District immigration judge in Utah, and with the law offices of Cobos & Ayala in Los Angeles. In August 2007, she got married, and she is now studying for the California bar examination.

The impact of the Merrill Lynch scholarship has remained with her. “I can remember the day that Mrs. [Leticia] Vargas, my high school counselor, called me to her office to tell me I had received the scholarship. Everything flashed before me. I thought about my dad, and how he would be relieved that my mom would stop worrying about how she could possibly help me pay for college. I still recall how my high school principal, Lynn Maher, and the school superintendent, Dr. Al Mijares, drove to Century City to attend the scholarship reception with us.”

The lesson of giving back has stuck with her as well. During her time in both undergraduate and law school, she found ways to serve her community through projects involving domestic relations and juvenile detainees. She has been a member and leader in several community groups, including the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County and the Public Interest Law Foundation of Brigham Young. She has also returned many times to her high school in Santa Ana to tutor and mentor students.

“During the 10-year California Partnership program, Merrill Lynch helped create many innovative community programs, benefitting the diverse communities in California,” said Garrett Gin, director of Communications & Public Affairs in California. ”Back then, those involved knew we were impacting future generations of leaders. However, reconnecting with Ms. Gonzalez helps us to see the true legacy that Merrill Lynch has helped create in our communities.”

“Through the Merrill Lynch Foundation’s initiatives, have been able provide young leaders with resources and tools to achieve academic, career and community success. “Investing in students like Ms. Gonzalez creates a better future for us all," said Eddy Bayardelle, president of the Merrill Lynch Foundation. He presented the scholarship to Ms. Gonzalez and the nine other recipients back in 1998.

“To this day, Merrill Lynch has always been a part of our family,” Ms. Gonzalez said. “My mom always refers back to 'The Merrill Lynch Scholarship.' The scholarship was overwhelming to both of us, and we are eternally grateful.”

Ms. Gonzalez received an HBA scholarship, & also received a Merrill Lynch scholarship for UCLA. She is now studying for the California Bar, and looking to stay local in Orange County, looking for a law clerk position.