Celebrating the Class of 2021

As the University of Virginia community prepares to celebrate the Class of 2021 on Sunday at Final Exercises, we’ve collected stories about graduating students to celebrate their achievements.

• Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony Details
• Watch the Livestream (will go live at 9 a.m. EDT)
• Meet Commencement Speaker Cleo E. Powell ’82

Profiles on Graduating Students

Daughter of Haitian Immigrant Heads to Prestigious Clerkship
After graduating this Sunday, Catherine “Cat” Guerrier is headed to Connecticut to clerk for a federal judge she came to admire after a unique field trip to a federal prison.

Former Refugee Aims To Lift Immigrant Communities
Kunchok Dolma discusses wanting to become a lawyer to help immigrant communities such as hers.

First a Judge, Then a Lawyer: Student Pursued Law To Better Serve Public
Dominique Fenton will work in criminal defense after graduation.

Graduating Legal Historian Also Helped Her Peers in the Present
Katharine Janes, a dual-degree candidate, has pursued her budding interest in history while also being of service to her peers.

20th Powell Fellow To Represent Clients Facing Health Barriers
Nooreen Reza will help support Chicago-area communities facing health inequities.

Equal Justice Works Fellow To Represent Youths Facing Court Fines
Carly Wasserman will help schoolchildren facing court fines and fees with the National Center for Youth Law.

Rasmussen To Clerk at U.S. Supreme Court
Avery Rasmussen will clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the 2023 term.

Tang Receives Rosenbloom Award
Grace Tang received the Law School’s Rosenbloom Award, established to honor students with a strong academic record who have significantly enhanced the academic experience of their peers.

Rasmussen, West Win 92nd Lile Moot Court Competition
Avery Rasmussen and Matt West won the 92nd William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition.

Barnes Becomes Head of National Black Law Students Association
Rachel Barnes, a J.D.-MBA candidate, served as national chair of the National Black Law Students Association.

McCullough, Oat Win in Federal Appeals Court — With Argument Partly Via Sign Language
Jehanne McCullough, using American Sign Language, and Nina Oat successfully argued on behalf of a client before the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Dolma, Guerrier, Luevano, Miller Named Ritter Scholars
Kunchok Dolma, Cat Guerrier, Maria Luevano and Wilson Miller were honored with the Mary Claiborne and Roy H. Ritter Prizes, which recognize third-year students who best exemplify the qualities of honor, character and integrity envisioned by Thomas Jefferson when he founded UVA.

Ogale Leads Law Review
Arjun Ogale has been selected as the new editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review.

Star Witnesses – Q&As With Students

Multilingual Globetrotter Banton Charts Course to Law School
Multilingual student Nicole Banton outlines what she learned on study abroad journeys before law school.

Family’s Life Lessons Bring Beach to Law School
Ron Beach says family, including a father and grandfather who were police officers, fostered his interest in law.

Ghazoul Will Continue To Return to His Roots
John Ghazoul discusses his Syrian heritage and involvement with the Middle Eastern and North African Law Student Association.

For Khetarpal, Law School Turned on a Moot Point
Mihir Khetarpal ’21, a student at the University of Virginia School of Law, discusses his interest in moot court and his work with the Virginia Law Review.

Coaching Takes Kuster to New Heights
Zach Kuster reflects on his career as a competitive skier and NCAA coach.

Luk Reaches Top of the Masthead
Christina Luk reflects on her path to law school, her work with the student newspaper and how making wontons gives her a sense of community.

Ma Develops His Voice for Youths
Michael Ma discusses how living in a youth shelter persuaded him to represent children in need.

McCullough Led Voter Outreach Effort Before Law School
Jehanne McCullough says internships nurtured her interest in political advocacy and the law.

Pepper’s Scholarship Eyes Youth Movements
Anna Cecile Pepper explains her scholarship studying students’ rights.

Retzloff Explores Home Rule in Virginia
C. Alex Retzloff outlines what he learned co-authoring an article with a professor on home rule and Virginia’s Constitution.

Tobar-Romero Sees Herself as Global Citizen
El Salvador native Ana Tobar-Romero discusses her family’s story and work as an advocate for fellow immigrants.

West Adds ‘Book Author’ to His Résumé
Matt West outlines his new book on an influential leader from Virginia’s political past.

Life Outside the Law

McCarthy Escapes to Backcountry Skiing
Peter McCarthy said exploring in the backcountry has helped him keep his perspective during law school.

Year One

Gorman, Kelso Receive Virginia Public Service Scholarship
Lindsay Gorman and Jennifer Kelso were recipients of the Virginia Public Service Scholarship.

Students Receive Top Scholarship for Leadership
Class of 2021 Karsh-Dillard Scholars were the first to benefit from a historic gift by Martha Lubin Karsh ’81 and Bruce Karsh ’80.

Being a Force for Change Draws Class of 2021 to UVA Law
Members of the Class of 2021 began their three-year journey toward becoming lawyers and making their mark in the world — although in many ways they already have.