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SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES
Meet Our Scholars
Since 2022, the David Mebuke Foundation has awarded scholarships to eight extraordinary law students — each overcoming financial, immigration, and systemic barriers to pursue a career in the law.
2025
Remiah Sundine
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO COLLEGE OF LAW
Raised by Italian immigrant grandparents who navigated the foster care system to keep her family together, Remiah became a caregiver to her four younger siblings before the age of ten. She earned a full scholarship to the University of Rochester and now pursues a legal career dedicated to reforming the systems that failed her family.
FOSTER CARE & CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
"I became the primary caregiver to my four younger siblings before I was even ten, after my mother fell into addiction while grieving the loss of my father."
Shorna Leon
IMMIGRATION LAW
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO COLLEGE OF LAW
The daughter of undocumented immigrants from Saint Lucia, Shorna grew up in the Bronx acutely aware of the fear and instability her family endured — and channeled it into a lifelong commitment to immigration law. She is dedicated to ensuring families no longer live in fear of the systems meant to protect them.
"I grew up in a home where every knock on the door brought fear — but that fear became my motivation to fight for immigrant families to live without it."
2024
IMMIGRATION & COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
Denice Escalante
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
A first-generation immigrant and daughter of undocumented Mexican immigrants, Denice put law school on hold to become her family's primary financial provider when her father was deported — then used every resource to reunite them before returning to pursue her dream. The DMF scholarship gave her the lifeline to finally see it through.
"My father was deported after more than two decades in this country. I paused my dreams to fight for his return — and now I'm in law school to make sure no family faces that alone."
Emily Pietura
CRIMINAL LAW & TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
A second-generation Polish immigrant, Emily worked multiple jobs to fund her legal education while managing commuting demands and a full course load. She is committed to becoming an attorney in criminal law — promoting justice as a prosecutor — or in Native American and tribal sovereignty law, advocating for communities whose voices are often overlooked.
"The DMF scholarship has helped ease my financial burden and strengthened my commitment to making a lasting impact through law."
2023
FAMILY LAW & COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
Liza Paskevych
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Liza came to the United States from Ukraine at age eight — resisting the move at first, then ultimately thriving. She excelled academically, volunteered at a women's center, raised funds for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, and served as a first-grade aide at a Ukrainian school on Saturday mornings — helping newly arrived immigrant children find their footing, just as she once had.
"I refused to speak English at first, hoping my parents would send me home. Then America became home — and now I want to give back to every family arriving the way mine did."
Maria Talania
CRIMINAL LAW & TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Maria immigrated from the Philippines and navigated hearing impairment, language barriers, and a complete academic restart — earning a full scholarship to UC before pursuing her JD at NIU on an Opportunity Scholarship. At NIU, she co-founded the Immigration Law Society, running legal clinics, assisting with DACA applications, and creating safe spaces for immigrant communities.
"The legal profession needs attorneys who look like, speak the language of, and understand the lived experiences of the communities they serve."
2022
[Coming Soon]
Thuy Vu
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
[Coming Soon]
[Coming Soon]
Maria Carmona
[Coming Soon]
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
[Coming Soon]
[Coming Soon]