USA
Vedagna Sarabu: Cal State LA’s Youngest Graduate Heads To Law School. At the age of 15, she is poised to make a remarkable stride towards her aspiration of becoming a lawyer. She wants to dedicate herself to serving her community.
Early Entrance Program Journey
Observing the struggles faced by family and friends dealing with legal issues. Sarabu is determined to provide assistance and guidance to those navigating the legal system. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in law and society from Cal State LA’s Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services.
Sarabu is set to attend the commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 21. She would the youngest graduating senior in the Class of 2024.
Shifting Focus Towards Law
Sarabu’s journey began at the age of 11 when she enrolled at Cal State LA through the Early Entrance Program. It is administered by the Honors College, which accepts highly gifted students as young as 11 years old. Initially considering a career as a fiction author. Sarabu eventually shifted her focus towards law. It was driven by her desire to assist individuals and families facing legal challenges.
Researching Injustice
For her senior thesis project, Sarabu delved into research on the experiences of former residents of MacLaren Hall, an emergency shelter facility with a documented history of abuse and unsanitary conditions. Her work aimed to shed light on the emotional toll endured by these individuals. And, to advocate for improvements in the system.
Professor Akhila Ananth, Sarabu’s faculty advisor, praised her dedication to the research. He emphasized the impact of her work in highlighting the injustices faced by young people in Los Angeles.
Recognition and Achievements
Despite her academic commitments, Sarabu found time to volunteer as a tutor and gain practical experience as a law clerk at a workers’ compensation firm. Her dedication to both her studies and extracurricular activities earned her recognition on the Dean’s List. in the Honors College, and from the Early Entrance Program’s Honors Academy.
Looking ahead, Sarabu will embark on the next phase of her journey at Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law. Here she will pursue a juris doctor degree on a full scholarship. Reflecting on her time at Cal State LA, Sarabu encouraged incoming students to take advantage of campus resources and opportunities for growth.
As she prepares to embark on her legal career, Sarabu remains committed to her goal of making a difference in her community.
