Trio of future attorneys receive the McMiller Scholarship Award
For more than 20 years, GOLDLAW founder and CEO Craig Goldenfarb, Esq., has made it a priority to give back to Palm Beach County, to show his appreciation for how the local community has helped the firm grow and succeed. One of the ways GOLDLAW shows its appreciation to local students and future legal professionals is through The Emanuel McMiller Scholarship for Higher Education (EMSHE).
The scholarship program was created to benefit graduates of The Gerald A. Williams Center for Pre-Law at Palm Breach Lakes Community High School, as they apply and enroll in college and/or law school. The scholarship is dedicated to Emanuel McMiller, a former employee of GOLDLAW and graduate of Notre Dame Law School.
“Awarding the scholarship is one of the highlights of the year for me,” Goldenfarb said. Our firm is excited to be able to give back to our community in this way, and provide educational opportunities for some of the brightest young minds in Palm Beach County. It’s an honor to help high achieving students at The Center for Pre-Law, and GOLDLAW looks forward to continuing this tradition.”
On Friday, May 31, 2024, three former students from the Gerald A. Williams Center for Pre-Law will be honored at the McMiller Scholarship Presentation Ceremony at the GOLDLAW offices. Here’s a look at the 2024 winners:
Ijahala Pottinger – $5,000 EMSHE Scholarship Winner
Ijahala is currently a 1L at Columbia Law School in New York City, where she anticipates graduating in 2026 with a Juris Doctor degree. Ijahala is a graduate of Brown University (Class of 2020) and an alumnus of the Center for Pre-Law (Class of 2016). She was very active in the Center for Pre-Law, serving as a mock trial team member, Law Honor Society President, and Lead Prosecuting Youth Court Attorney. Ijahala was also a 2023 EMSHE Award Recipient.
Andre’Anna Hodges – $4,000 EMSHE Scholarship Winner
Andre’Anna is a Senior at Palm Beach Lakes High School, and will be graduating on May 23, 2024. She will be attending Florida Atlantic University this fall, where she anticipates graduating in 2028 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Andre’Anna was extremely active in the Center of Pre-Law, serving as a mock trial team member, Law Club member, and Youth Court Attorney.
Miriam Vidaurre-Zarate – $1,000 EMSHE Scholarship Winner
Miriam is currently a Junior at Florida International University where she anticipates graduating in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She is an alumnus (Class of 2021) of the Center for Pre-Law. Miriam was very active in the Center for Pre-Law, serving as:
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Mock Trial Captain
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Moot Court Attorney
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Law Club President
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Law Honor Society President
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Youth Court Attorney
Miriam was also a 2023 and 2022 EMSHE Award Recipient.
Goals of the Emanuel McMiller Scholarship for Higher Education Program
The primary goals of EMSHE are the following:
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To strengthen the diversity pipeline to the legal profession (and helping unsupported and/or under-resourced students to be more competitive).
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To help recipients establish a support system to guide them on their journey to the legal profession.
About EMSHE
The scholarship is named for Emanuel McMiller, a former employee of GOLDLAW, and an alumnus (Class of 2010) of the Center for Pre-Law at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. Emanuel earned his undergrad degree at William College and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School and is now a business litigation associate at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Indianapolis, Indiana. Emanuel, a first-generation lawyer, credits the faculty, staff, and supporters of the Center for Pre-Law for giving him a head-start in developing the critical skills necessary to achieve success in law school and the legal profession.
“This young man is just such a fantastic person, and it’s really an honor that he has allowed me to be a part of his journey,” said Goldenfarb. “Emanuel has inspired me in so many ways, including my decision to make this scholarship commitment that will benefit students just like him for years to come.”
Alumni of the program have graduated from prestigious law schools across the country including Georgetown University Law Center, Notre Dame Law School, University of Florida Levin College of Law, University of Miami Law School, and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
Applications for the 2025 Emanuel McMiller Scholarship for Higher Education will open in late December 2024 and close in late February 2025. For more information, visit EMSHE.org.
