Achieving My Potential Scholarship Winners

Home » Achieving My Potential Scholarship Winners

As a criminal and juvenile defense law firm, we firmly believe that one mistake should not ruin your future. At Ghanouni Teen & Young Adult Defense Firm, our mission is to protect the futures of our younger generation, regardless of their past mistakes, so that they can achieve their full potential. We offer our Achieving My Potential Scholarship to support the futures of students who went through the juvenile justice system or criminal justice system and are moving past their experiences.

2024 Winner: Sarah Zarba

About Sarah Zarba: “I am a member of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls (NCIFIWG), a collective of formerly incarcerated women and allies with whom I traveled the country advocating for clemency for women in federal prison.

While in graduate school, I teamed up with another formerly incarcerated student to petition the University to remove the conviction question from its application. I strongly believe in the power of collective organizing, and I deeply value my connections to this work and to the formerly incarcerated advocates and my peers, who have supported me and inspired me since my release in 2012.”

In Sarah’s Own Words: “Receiving the news that I was the recipient of the 2024 Achieving My Potential scholarship left me feeling so overwhelmed with happiness…I had a hard time believing, even after winning, that this was possible and that there were opportunities created for people like me who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

There are many people in this world and throughout my own personal journey who made me feel like my criminal justice history could prevent me from moving forward. I would tell anyone going through a criminal or juvenile law issue that you can still achieve your potential and that your past does not define you.”

2023 Winner: Savannah Slaton-Morrone

About Savannah: “My name is Savannah Slaton-Morrone and I am 26 years old from Seattle, Washington. I attended Orting Highschool’s running start program and received an associates degree from Pierce College in 2015. Shortly after graduation, I enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State for six years. During my time on Active Duty, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in World History from the American Public University System online. I served in the Army as a paralegal and realized I wanted to attend law school. Currently I have been accepted to the University of Miami School of Law, graduating in the Class of 2026.”

In Savannah’s Own Words: “I am so grateful for this scholarship and for this organization. Although I overcame my personal challenges with the Justice System, there were times when I felt like nobody believed in my future or supported my dreams. This scholarship inspires me and gives me hope that juveniles in hard situations have support to overcome their past and strive for a better future.”