Two USF students, Phyra McCandless (3L) and Hannah Seigel (3L), were awarded Public Interest Scholarships from the California Bar Foundation, and joined other recipients at a reception hosted by the Foundation during the recent California State Bar Annual Meeting in Anaheim.   The scholarships are based on public service, academic achievement and financial need. 

Both  McCandless and Seigel have worked summer internships in the public sector (both with Justice Now, a prison rights advocacy group, in the summer of 2006) with the help of USF law school's student-run Public Interest Law Foundation grants.  This year, they were awarded scholarships from the California Bar Foundation in recognition of their commitment to pursuing post-law school careers in the public arena. 

McCandless, a Harvard graduate, also holds a master's in public health from John Hopkins University.  She has worked with public health organizations and advocates for women prisoners with medical conditions.  She has also interned with the San Francisco City Attorney's human services team.  Her goal is to improve access to healthcare through direct services while working toward reform of the healthcare system.

A graduate of the University of Denver, Seigel is from Seward, Alaska, home to a maximum security prison.  Through this exposure she has been inspired to work to reduce prison populations by addressing violence in communities and forming viable alternatives to prison.  She has volunteered for, among other efforts, the California Habeas Project, the Safety Network Partnership at the YMCA and the California Appellate Project.  A prison abolitionist, Seigel has most recently interned for the Alaska Public Defender Agency. 

"Investing in the next generation of public interest lawyers is a cornerstone to building a better justice system," said Scott Wylie, the Foundation's president.  "With an array of work and volunteer experiences at public defender offices, civil rights organizations, HIV clinics, and many other community groups, this year's scholarship winners are inspiring.  The breadth and depth of their leadership ability and commitment to the community give us hope for the continued vitality of our justice system."

After the luncheon reception, the law school's Assistant Dean for Academic Services Elizabeth Benhardt, who attended the luncheon, said that "The essential aim of the California Bar Foundation's Scholarship Program is support future public interest lawyers, so that they will, in turn, ensure full and equal access to justice."  She further added, "Hannah and Phyra are perfect examples of how USF's goals dovetail with this - pursuing excellence and educating for justice - they have so much to contribute."