The Cuban American Bar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Cuban American Bar Association, recently awarded scholarships to seven outstanding law students from the University of Miami School of Law. The foundation honored 3L Daniela Acosta, 2L Natalie Bombino, 2L Daniel Comas-Sanchez, 2L Arturo Espinosa, 3L Ashley Romay, 2L Renier Martinez, and 3L Gabriela Alvarez for their impressive academic records and their active commitment to the Cuban community.
“These scholarships are a testament to the hard work and resilience of our Miami Law students,” said Patricia Sanchez Abril, interim dean of the School of Law. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for CABA’s support in helping them reach their full potential.”
The foundation awarded a total of $75,000 in scholarships to 24 law students from across the United States. Students from Miami Law received more scholarships than any law school in Florida and nationwide. The School of Law recipients expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the crucial role of community and mentorship in their legal education.
"I am so thankful to the Cuban American Bar Association Foundation for their generosity," said Acosta, who is the president of the law school's CABA student chapter. "CABA has played a pivotal role in student members' law school journey, and with this scholarship, they continue to assist further in a financial way. We are extremely appreciative of all the continued support and guidance that CABA has provided and continues to offer.”
For Comas-Sanchez, the award highlighted his personal connection to his background. “Receiving this scholarship is an honor,” he said, “and a reminder of the strong connection between my academic journey and my Miami roots.”
Mentorship provided by the Cuban American Bar Association was a common theme.
“Meeting mentors through CABA has been a huge part of my success in law school,” said Espinosa. “As a first-generation student, I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship and guidance I have found through CABA. This award is not only a celebration of my accomplishments, but also of the incredible community of Cuban American lawyers and my family who have supported me every step of the way.”
The scholarship awards were presented at a reception that showcased the students' significant contributions to the Cuban community. The Cuban American Bar Foundation has a long history of supporting law students through scholarships and mentoring, aiming to help them achieve their full potential. This year's awards underscore the foundation's commitment to fostering a new generation of legal professionals who are both academically accomplished and deeply dedicated to service. The hard work and community involvement of these seven students serve as an inspiration to their peers and highlight the profound impact of combining legal scholarship with community engagement.
“As a first-generation Cuban American law student, CABA has played a huge role in making me feel seen and welcomed in the legal community,” said Alvarez, treasurer of the law school’s Cuban American Bar Association, Charles C. Papy, Jr., Moot Court Board member, and junior staff editor of the Race and Social Justice Law Review. “Everyone I’ve met through CABA has been truly inspiring, and it’s an honor to be recognized by the association and given the opportunity to shine and focus on my studies with their financial assistance.”
