2024 Rosen & Ohr Scholarship Winner
We would like to extend our congratulations to Adrianna Iacono, the winner of the 2024 Rosen & Ohr Scholarship! To learn more about the Rosen & Ohr, P.A. Scholarship, click here.
It was August 29th at 12:08 and I had just placed my mobile order for coffee. My boyfriend and I were on our way to class. My seat was for some reason pushed all the way back. I was so excited to wear my new Margaritaville shirt. At 12:10 I almost died. A truck turned without yielding, collided into us on the driver’s left front side and spun the car out. The axel broke and the power stopped. We were heading towards a tree. I hear my boyfriend yelling. It was now 12:11. I closed my eyes and screamed. I tried to drown out all the sound around me. I didn’t think I would live hitting a tree head on. We were lucky enough to survive the truck. The airbags deployed and my glasses were knocked off. My nose burned. My eyes were still closed. I didn’t know if I was dead or alive. They stayed shut till I heard his voice. We both saw we were visibly okay. But had no idea what was to come. 12:12 I got out of the car and screamed. In fear. In shock. I touched the ground. 911 was already called and an ambulance was coming. I knew I just got kicked from my moms health insurance by the state and now I was even more scared. My boyfriend was okay but in shock and destroyed that his first car in his name has been totaled. 12:13 I called my mom, I called my grandparents, and friends to tell them I loved them. Hearing my mom cry and tell me how sorry she was for not being there to protect me. Hearing how she could not come because of a hurricane coming and it’s only her and my sister. We went to the hospital. I’ve never been in an ambulance. I thought I was okay. I had no idea what was about to come. I had a million things running through my mind. I was supposed to be saving to start studying for the LSAT. I was supposed to be meeting with professors to talk about law school since no one in my family had ever gone. I had mock trial the next day and now I can’t run for a position. I was watching everything be taken from me in a matter of minutes. I felt lost. Depression kicked in quickly. Later that week I found out I had severe whiplash, 2 herniated discs, and deep bruising all over me from the seat belt. I braced as much as I could. We immediately called an attorney to begin our case. Now the girl who dreams of being an attorney has to have her own.
I currently attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. I am currently studying criminal justice and have grown a love towards it. The semester was filled with doctors appointments, chiropractic care three times a week, mris, x rays, and so much more. All of my free time was gone. Between work, school, mock trial, and doctors appointments I had no time to study for law school to work on my future as I planned. I had no time for myself. It changed my perspective on life. It made me more grateful for the education I have received so far. It made me more grateful for the people around me. I stayed in mock trial even though I had no free time because it was my escape. We compete in the Phi Alpha Delta mock trial Nationals as well at UF, and FIU. All of which I have to provide some money for travel, food, and competition expenses. I enjoy being surrounded by like minded individuals who believe in me. Who encourages me. Who pushes me to do the best I can even though I am in pain. It was hard to keep my grades high since not all of my teachers truly understood what was going on.
Education is a Privilege and I want to learn as much as possible while I have the opportunity. Paying for college on my own has meant a lot of sacrifices. I currently use financial aid to help but that does not cover everything. Books, supplies, and necessities. I currently work at the school in student affairs and it has helped me grow many connections. I am a full time student. I plan to continue to finance my education through loans, scholarships, and working. I would like to continue my education by attending law school in the Fall 2025 or gaining my masters in criminal justice here at FAU first then go to law school with the end goal of becoming an attorney. I want to be able to thrive in school, not just survive. Growing up with a single mom and a little sister I support myself entirely. We have gone through a lot and I want to make her proud. I have had many setbacks in college but I have pushed through them. I want to take advantage of my education without money being a problem. The car accident caused me to lose a lot of money since I have had to leave work early, miss work, miss classes, and pay for medications, heating pads, and whatever else I need for recovery. Without also having a car I have to uber to some doctors appointments or school. Getting my license after the car accident has been difficult because of my fear. I have taken it day by day doing a little bit at a time to get more comfortable. I take life day by day. I want to be able to learn without a financial burden. Law school and higher education in general is expensive and every scholarship helps. I want to take this opportunity and thank you for reading my story. Paying for school is not easy but I am making my best effort to make it possible.
