17/10/2022
𝕮𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖆𝖗 - 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀
-𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆-𝗔𝘁-𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲-
"If it pleases your Honour, please permit me to express my gratitude, as it is indeed a privilege to have my application heard before you today.
As I stand here today, on the verge of becoming a member of this esteemed profession, I am filled with both gratitude and pride.
Throughout this journey, which was not an easy one, I experienced support that I had never previously known.
My mother and sister played a giant role in that regard. Thank you for waking me whenever I would fall asleep with my books, for listening whenever I needed to vent about a class you know nothing about, and for everything else that you have been doing throughout my life. It has been quite a lot.
To my father and other family members, thank you for your words and acts of encouragement during the past two years.
To my GRA team, you all have been a great source of knowledge, of reassurance, and I definitely would not have been able to do this if I did not have very understanding bosses. I would also like to thank Ms. Dodson for constantly checking in throughout the years, and for giving me that first opportunity to get acquainted with the law outside of the classroom.
I know that as I step out of this courtroom today, I have several learned seniors who are ready and willing to assist me at a moment’s notice. While it may seem as though I’m lucky, it also means that my work has to be impeccable.
Be reassured though, that I intended to serve this profession with the humility, integrity, and discipline it deserves.
When I started law school, I had no idea what to expect. I did not know that it would be THE hardest thing that I would accomplish to date, and hopefully, forever. It was tough. Thankfully, I had amazing friends to travel this journey with me.
To Rbina, Samanta, Reon, and my other classmates whom I would message at 4 am thank you for your patience. To my other friends, you all know yourselves, I appreciate your continued support.
While I am unable to mention everyone as I stand here today, know that you are all here because I appreciate every one of you. Of course, I have to thank God, because, without him, none of this would be possible.
Though this might sound clichéd, I had a dream. That dream was put on hold in 2016 when I completed my LLB and was unable to attend law school because of financial constraints.
Notwithstanding the obstacles faced, I proudly stand before you today as proof that a dream deferred is not a dream denied.
Though I might have taken a different path, and a different timeline, though online classes proved difficult, though my assignments and exams made me cry, I was able to pursue my dream. It was not derailed. So, to everyone who has a dream, I encourage you to follow it. Don’t give up.
As I sum up, I would like to leave you with these words by Langston Hughes; “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field, frozen with snow”.
Your Honour, if I could be of no further assistance to this court, that is the extent of my response.
Thank you.
Admitted 12th October 2022, before the Honourable Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George by Attorneys Emily Dodson and Hessaun Yasin."
