2026 Alumni Award Winner Yanesi Gonzalez on Preparing for a Life of Purpose

At NAF Next 2026, Yanesi Gonzalez, a 2023 graduate of NAF’s Academy of Law Studies, received a NAF Alumni Award.

Remarks by Yanesi Gonzalez:

When I think back on my time in my NAF Academy of Law Studies, I remember sitting in one of my first classes and realizing that the dream I held since age 7—as a girl who loved watching Law & Order and winning arguments—was no longer just an idea. It was becoming real.  

NAF nurtured the values my family had instilled in me: respect and reverence for the law passed down by my father and the work ethic and determination embodied by my incredible mother. I was surrounded by people who worked hard every single day just to get by.  

Through my academy, I deepened my aspiration to practice law and pursue a career in government. The engaging coursework and real-world learning experiences enabled me to earn legal certifications at just 17 years old, giving me opportunities and credentials that many do not attain until much later. 

I credit Dr. Derrick Johnson, my NAF teacher and mentor, with consistently encouraging me to move forward and offering invaluable recommendations that set me up for future success. One of the most impactful was an internship at a law firm in Coral Gables during high school.   

Continuing my academic journey, I graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Political Science in just two and a half years. Earning my degree was a deeply proud moment for me and my family—but it didn’t stop there.  

I was recently selected as a Fulbright Scholar, and in a few months, will travel to the Canary Islands, a place I have a family connection to. Living and studying abroad, immersing myself in a new culture, and working on an international stage is something my younger self would have marveled at.  

Now I’m working full-time and preparing for the LSAT, with my eyes set on law school in the Northeast. Ultimately, I want to advocate for society’s more vulnerable people, to create change, and be a voice for good.  

NAF also showed me the importance of mentorship, and I’m grateful to give back to my high school through mock trial coaching. Knowing how much mock trial shaped my own passion for the law, it’s rewarding to support the next generation of attorneys and advocates in the making. 

Because here’s what I’ve come to understand:  

NAF doesn’t just prepare you for a career. It prepares you for a life of purpose. 

It teaches you how to walk into a room with confidence, ask smart questions, and see possibilities where others see obstacles. I carry those lessons with me every time I bet on myself. 

To the students who are part of NAF right now: the skills you’re building, the connections you’re making, and the person you’re becoming are all leading somewhere meaningful. Never let anyone convince you that your dreams are too big or beyond your reach. 

Thank you.