You were a collegiate heptathlete. How did you become a heptathlete, and which of the seven events was your favorite?

I actually did not begin competing in the heptathlon until my junior year at Purdue, when our amazing multis’ coach asked if I would be interested in giving the heptathlon a shot because he felt that I had a lot of potential for success in it. I primarily ran sprints and sprint relays prior to my foray into the heptathlon,so there was a bit of a learning curve to say the least. I would say my favorite events were the 200 meter sprint and long jump. The 800 meter run?? Not so

What are your memories of immigrating to the United States as a child? 

I was very young at the time, so I don’t really remember much. What I do recall is how much my parents sacrificed coming to an unknown country. While we didn’t have a lot growing up, my parents always sought what was best for me and my siblings. Their struggles and love are definitely ingrained in my brain and have been the biggest motivators in my life.

You have considerable experience working in the law firm environment, prior to law school and while a part-time law student, right?

I’ve been working in the law firm

Prior to law school, you had some involvement in the Raiders' move to Las Vegas. Tell us more.  

I majored in economics in college and had the exciting opportunity to intern for Jeremy Aguero [Boyd ‘04] at Applied Analysis following my junior year. I worked on a lot of interesting projects and did some extremely interesting analyses, but being involved with the Raiders project was far and away the highlight of my summer. Applied Analysis presented potential funding options for the public-private partnership between our government and the Raiders to build what is now Allegiant Stadium. Put

Dance has been a big part of your life. Tell us more.

I miss dancing every day and wish I could still do it! But even though I can’t be in a ballet studio everyday like I used to be, dance and the arts have remained important to me. Dance provided me with so many life skills that I think have helped me become successful. Of course, I learned the value of discipline and hard work. But most importantly, dance gave me a family and taught me how important and rewarding true teamwork can be. I still like to apply those values to life now.

You are Student Liaison to the Boyd's Alumni Association

You did an epic hike of the Appalachian Trail. Give us the highlights.

Six months, 2156 miles, all uphill. My trail name was “Popsicle,” because I almost froze to death. The first of many times I almost died. Got lost in nighttime fog so thick I couldn’t see my feet; was followed by a bear in the Smokies (also at night); nearly lost an eye in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness; contracted Lyme disease. The biggest lesson I learned is that its hard to die, so take a few chances. Also, a person can live off Kraft Mac n’ Cheese indefinitely.

And you were a table games dealer here for some time before

What's the secret to balancing being a mom and a full-time law student?

Being a mom and a full-time law student is all about priorities and a good support system. I live by a "To-Do" list, but I’m also willing to go with the flow when something else pops up for my family. And, it's cliché to say, but I honestly couldn't do it without my husband's support. He is my biggest cheerleader and is always willing to help with the kids. Every law student has a full plate, and I believe we all need to be willing to ask for help from our family and friends sometimes in order to do well.  

Go ahead and

You got married right in the middle of this past Fall semester. How did you manage law school and wedding prep all at once?

It was definitely difficult managing both. I anticipated having a busy 2L year, so I finished a majority of the planning almost a year in advance. We took advantage of a long engagement and planned the wedding a little bit at a time. It was hectic once it got closer to the big day, but just like schoolwork, you have to sit yourself down and get through your to-do list systematically. Luckily, planning a wedding can be fun, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be

You are, shall we say, a political enthusiast, yes? 

Yes! I majored in Political Science at the University of Nevada, Reno and worked on a handful of local political races after college. Eventually I ended up working on U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's campaign and in her senate office once she was elected. I still volunteer when I can and follow politics closely.

Do you plan on seeking public office after law school?

That's definitely something that I consider when I'm making long term plans. I don't know for sure if I will ever run, but I do know that I want to find opportunities to

You came to law school with an eye toward practicing environmental law. Is that still the plan?

Growing up, I always wanted to make the world a better place and decided to do so by studying biology, then working as an environmental scientist here in Las Vegas. I knew I could make an even bigger impact with a law degree. Boyd is very committed to community and was naturally my #1 choice. Boyd has opened my eyes to the plethora of ways attorneys can make positive change and impact social justice, in addition to advocating for the environment. Currently, I feed my passion for environmental

Tell our readers about your experience with the House of Commons in the UK.

Working in the House of Commons was an incredible experience. Because I am a dual citizen, I was fortunate enough to work with the Member of Parliament for the constituency where my grandfather lived and my mother grew up. Attending Questions with the Prime Minister, representing the MP at meetings, sitting in on various committee hearings, and meeting with constituents was extremely insightful. But the highlight of this experience was simply getting to walk the halls of Parliament and being surrounded by centuries of