8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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Justice Sonia SotomayorSupreme Court of the United StatesI First Street, NEWashington, DC 20543

Dear Justice Sonia Sotomayor,

My name is Giselle and I am a student at San Gabriel Mission High School inCalifornia. I m writing to you because I had to read your book, My Beloved World n myEnglish class. I thought your book was very inspiring to me. I am not a fan of reading butreading your book made me want to continue each chapter to see what you went through next

One main reason why I liked your book is because it was relatable because I am also Hispanicand going through lots of drama like how you were in high school with both, relationships andthendships. Your book taught me that no matter whom you are or where ever you come from, ifyou just work hard enough, you can accomplish anything. My favorite part of your book waswhen you were explaining what things you would do with your abuelita and how much youloved and cared for her when you were a child because I wish I was as close to my grandma. Themost meaningful and touching part of the book was when your grandmother or father diedbecause you love them very much and it s really sad how someone so close to you can be takenaway so fast. You ve dealt with a lot of things, a lot of very difficult things but you alwaysmanage to have a positive attitude and keep being strong.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for writing My Beloved World This book didn tjust help mebut it helped a lot of people, especially Hispanics with their personal struggles in life. Now thatyou're a Supreme Court Justice, I would like to ask you, if there is anything in your life that youwould change, if you can? But again, your book s great and very inspiring. It's actually an honorjust writing this letter to you

Sincerely,

~ [ lGiselle

8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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Justice Sonia SotomayorSupreme Court of the United StatesOne First Street N.E.Washington, DC 20543

Dear Justice Sotomayor,

My name is Jasmine and I am a student who attends San Gabriel Mission High School. Iam writing you because you have become a new special interest in my literature class.

I would like to start off by talking about how relatable you and I are. I really like the fact that I'mnot alone. I noticed that we had a lot in common while reading your book. First, I understoodhow as a child you had to take plenty of responsibility due to the fact that your mother was never

home. I have to deal with the same thing you did as a child because my father works majorityof

the time and is hardly home and my mother is incapable of doing many things a normal mothercould. Would you say that having to take over initiative as a child really shaped who you aretoday? In my eyes, you have been a very strong and independent women and I hope to becomelike you someday. Second, I noticed that you stressed the importance of education very much.Education is probably one of the most important things in my whole life. You have attendedsome of my dreams schools such as Princeton and Yale. Did you ever feel intimidated oroverwhelmed by all the work? t must have taken an overwhelming amount of work to get youwhere you are today. Looking back, was it all worth it in the end? Third, just as you aresuccessfu l hope to become successful as well. I hope to become a doctor someday and I know itwill include plenty of work and many years of college. Are there any tips you can give me that

you think might be useful for me in the near or distant future?f

so, they would be greatlyappreciated.

Lastly, you have been a great inspiration to many people around the world, including me and youcontinue to bring hope to many lives. For example, in your story I really liked when you said"People who live in difficult circumstances need to know that happy endings are possible." Thatsaying really touched me because my mother lives with multiple sclerosis and I realized thatmajority of the time she is very depressed and I don't believe she sees a bright side to any of it.But, as you said " happy endings are possible." and I'm hoping for her to notice soon andhopefully obtain a positive outlook on life. Because of you and your words of wisdom the liveso f many will change. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, ,

asmine

8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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Justice Sonia SotomayoSupreme Court of the United StatesOne First Street N.EWashington, DC 20543

Dear Justice Sotomayor,

Hi my name is Alexis and lam a 9' grader at San Gabriel Mission High School. Let me just startoff by saying how much I loved your book because it really made me look at things differently. I am only14 years old yet this book really impacted me. While having to read the things you went through and tocome out so strong. How did you do it?

While having the pleasure of reading your book, I noticed we have something's in common. For example,l absolutely love to read because I think it helps me escape reality just for a little bit. Another thing it does

for me is that it gives me a piece of mind and it lets all my stresses go away. Something else we have incommon is that I really want to be a lawyer when I grow up and hopefully one day move up and become ajudge. Got any helpful tips you could pass on it would really benefit me.

One of my favorite parts of your book is when you would show that your knowledge was beyond yourage. Also when you had to grow up when things got hard and how you pulled through it still mesmerizesme. You re brilliant women and you never let any one stop you from showing it Another event thatstrongly impacted me was when your father passed away and also when you decided to give your self theinsulin. When your father passed away it impacted me because you were told not to cry because you hadto be strong for your mom. Though personally, a child as young as you were deserved to let thoseemotions free because as the old saying goes Cry, child , for those without tears have a grief which neverends. Also when you decided to give yourself the insulin because you hated seeing your parents fight forwhat you thought at the time was your fault. I can never imagine having the courage to do that.

Even at a young age of 8 you proved your independence to let nothing put you down and that is extremelyadmirable and inspirational. One of the things in the book that had a lot of meaning was the love andunderstanding you had for your family was simply beautiful and magical and there are lucky to have you.Something that l will take with me from this book is your drive to go for anything you wanted and now itis passed on to many others and me. I would have to say without a doubt my all time favorite quote isPeople who live in difficult circumstances need to know that happy endings are possible. (Paigl)

Because I think it is completely true. It does not matter if we are born into money or not we make ourown destiny not the things around us.

I want to thank you for writing this book because it has helped me in many ways. For example, you havegiven me the courage and confidence to do things I would always shy away from before. I also no longer

care for what people think because no matter what happens you have shone me that as long as I keep myhead up and put my heart in it I can and will accomplish anything and everything. Thank you, JusticeSotomayor, for giving me that and not letting me lose faith.

Sincerely,

~ Y ~Alexis

8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Supreme Comt o he United StatesOne First Street N E.Washington, DC 20543

Dear Justice Sotomayor,

My name is Daisy and I go to San Gabriel Mission High School. I am a iicshman, and I am

13 years old. I really c r ~ o y e dreading yom book because it is very inspiring and motivational. I felt a

connection when reading yom book, because I know what it is like to have troubles at home and with

iamily.

What really inspired me about yom book was your self eoniidcnce. I think my avorite thing about the

book is the overall message. When l am bored or down, I read this for encouragement and inspiration.Reading yom book made me realize that, yes, things can get bad, but there is always a happy ending in

yow tanytalc. t takes hard work and dedication to really get something.For example, if you don t doanything about your troubles or problems, you won t have the life you want. ow book has taught

many new things about life. t taught me thii1 ,'S I took for granted, there are good things in life, and

optimism Bcii1g optnnistic is something new to me, because I am always a negative or closed off

person. I have actually looked at life a different way because o yow help.

Thank you for this book. Honestly, I didn t think I would enjoy it as much as I did Do you have any

other advice I may need to know about life situations or thn1gs to keep mind? Aganr, I think you, andl hope to hear tiom you soon

Sincerely,

- 1 . 2 _ ~ . A J ~u

Daisy

8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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8/13/2019 Letters written to Justice Sonia Sotomayor from students at San Gabriel Mission High School

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Justice Sonia SotomayorSupreme Court of the United States

One First Street, N.E.Washington, DC 20543

Dear Justice Sotomayor,

Hi, my name is Catherine and I am a 9th grader at San Gabriel Mission HighSchool in California. I have 4 other siblings who are older than me. My parents got divorced whenI was in third grade, but it never affected me in a bad way in fact it affected me in a good way.

s I read your fantastic book, I realized that in life we sometimes go through similar situations.

My father was an alcoholic but he would abuse my mother and my siblings. That's why I think itw s good when my parents got divorced. My favorite part in your book was when you helped outyour friend Gilmar say goodbye to everyone, to me that was the sweetest thing ever to do for afriend. s I s w and read what was beloved to your world, I came to realized what was belovedto my world. My mom is the number in my world, without her there would be no me. My siblingsand my friends would be next, because without their support I would have fallen a long time ago.Also one other thing would be my education, I wouldn't be able to write you this letter. One of myfavorite quotes in your book is when at the very end in your epilogue you said I am blessed. Inthis life I am truly blessed. Those words I will remember as I grow and find my w y in life.

Thank you very much for your a great experience. Thank you for writing your book as you wroteit, it was very inspiring. Your book as it inspired me it has as well I assume inspired others.

Sincerely,

c d h J ~

Catherine