Pasadena Students Receive Inspiring Response from U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Second-grade students at Willard Elementary School in Pasadena were elated to receive a response from Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Supreme Court after reaching out to her with letters of curiosity and original artwork. Justice Sotomayor took the time to personally address the students’ inquiries and offered encouragement to motivate them in their academic journey.

In her letter to the second graders, Justice Sotomayor also shared insights into her personal preferences and experiences. 

“Thank you for sharing your letters and drawings. It is always heartwarming for me to receive letters and hear from schools and students,” Justice Sotomayor wrote. 

Justice Sotomayor, the third woman, the first woman of color, first Hispanic, and first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court, also shared details about her favorite color, her favorite sport and her favorite book. She candidly disclosed that she still lives with diabetes, demonstrating her openness to connect with the students on a personal level.

Answering a question about the path to becoming a Justice, Justice Sotomayor recounted her journey from attending Princeton University to studying law at Yale Law School, and highlighted the perseverance required in the face of challenges.

The Justice encouraged the students to keep exploring subjects that interest them, emphasizing the impact of role models in her own life. 

“I credit much of my success in life to the role models who inspired me and encouraged me to work toward my goals,” Sotomayor wrote. 

The esteemed Justice also said she hopes the students would pursue their passions and use their talents to serve others. 

“Always remember that dreams can come true when you work hard to achieve them,” the letter said. 

Here’s what Justice Sotomayor’s letter to the students at Willard Elementary said: 

Dear Second Graders:

Thank you for sharing your letters and drawings. It is always heartwarming for me to receive letters and hear from schools and students. I want you to know that my favorite part of my job is having the opportunity to inspire children like you to make your dreams come true.

I would be happy to answer your questions. Red is my favorite color. My favorite sport is baseball. My favorite book is Nancy Drew. Yes, I still have diabetes. There are no specific educational requirements for being a Justice, but nearly all Justices have previously been lawyers and judges. After I graduated high school, I attended Princeton University. I then attended Yale Law School to become a lawyer. In total, it took me seven years to finish my undergraduate and postgraduate education. I then served as a lawyer and, later, a judge until 2009 when President Barack Obama nominated me as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. There were times when school was difficult, and the path to becoming a Justice often required a lot of hard work and determination. However, I have learned that perseverance in the face of adversity reflects the depth of your character. The journey to achieve one’s dreams can be a long and challenging one, but the rewards it can bestow makes it worth all of your efforts.

I encourage you to keep reading and learning about people and subjects that interest you. I credit much of my success in life to the role models who inspired me and encouraged me to work toward my goals. You, too, have the power to be an example and leader to those around you. Regardless of what career you choose, I hope you pursue your passions and use your talents to serve others. Indeed, we will need talented and passionate young people like yourself to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Always remember that dreams can come true when you work hard to achieve them. In the years to come, I wish you the joy of dreaming big, working hard, and succeeding in all that you do.

Warmest regards,

Sonia Sotomayor