Vinson & Elkins Names Its 2024 Class of V&E Scholars

The V&E Scholars Program allows high school students in Houston, Dallas and Austin the opportunity to receive a scholarship, in addition to a summer internship at Vinson & Elkins, mentorship from attorneys and reimbursement for an LSAT preparatory course. This program, coupled with the firm’s 2022 founding sponsorship of the UT Pipeline Program, is a centerpiece of the firm’s longstanding commitment to broadening access to legal education for young people.

“The firm is deeply committed to developing future lawyers and leaders as part of our mission,” said Vinson & Elkins Chief Talent Officer Hy Pomerance. “We do this to reinforce our culture of giving back to the community, and to help expand the entire legal profession by providing access for young people hoping to pursue a career in law.”

Congratulations to this year’s seven V&E Scholar recipients:

AUSTIN

Paulete Mbuangi is a graduate of Navarro Early College High School and will be attending Tyler Junio College in the Fall. She was the team captain of her school’s girls’ basketball team two years in a row and has been a Boys and Girls Club member for four years.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this scholarship,” Mbuangi said. “It means so much to me and my family. When I first arrived in the United States as a freshman during the pandemic with no knowledge of English, I feared that I would never catch up to my peers or surpass them. This scholarship reaffirms to me that with hard work and perseverance, there are people who will recognize your potential, listen to your story, and are willing to support your growth.”

DALLAS

Nina Ude is a graduate of School for the Talented and Gifted and will be attending Pitzer College in the Fall. She was president of her school’s robotics club, president for the Townview Black Student Union, and was a lawyer for her school’s mock trial team. She is also a consistent volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank.

“As a first-generation student, the road to college was a daunting task,” Ude said. “After a difficult process of choosing a college, the next obstacle was how I would find the money to pay for it. After multiple scholarship application rejections, I thankfully found the V&E Scholarship, which would ease my financial burden and advance my career through a guaranteed internship each summer. I was so excited to hear that I’d be a recipient this year because it meant so much to me to be recognized for my hard work. I will always be grateful for the V&E Scholarship and all that it has done to help me grow.”

Jiyi Liew is a graduate of J. J. Pearce High School and will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall. She graduated first in her class, with a graduating class of 572. Jiyi interned at the Shutt Law Firm as part of the Pearce Internship Program, where she observed probate court hearings and client signings.

“I’m so grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship; having my past efforts recognized inspires me to continue to make the most of my education,” said Liew. “Not only will the scholarship provide financial support for me and my family, but it will familiarize me with law and provide a foundation for my journey to becoming a lawyer.”

HOUSTON

Nhung Huynh is a graduate of Elsik High School and will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall. She was the president of her school’s Speech & Debate team, president of her 2024 Class, and Committee Chair of the National Honor Society.

“Receiving the V&E Scholarship is a milestone that motivates me to work even harder,” said Huynh. “I am eager to learn about the legal community and use the knowledge gained from this experience to make a difference in the world.”

Devon Stevenson is a graduate of The Village School and will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall. He was team captain and varsity quarterback for the school’s football team all four years, as well as team captain for his school’s debate team. Devon was also chosen by Nord Anglia Education to represent The Village School at the United Nations Summit.

“Receiving the V&E Scholarship means so much to me in continuing my pursuit of becoming a lawyer and helping those who can’t protect themselves,” said Stevenson. “This scholarship will allow me to intern with the brightest minds, while knowing I have the support and endorsement of an outstanding law firm. I am extremely grateful to all those in the V&E family.”

Aishwaryaa Udeshi is a graduate of Dulles High School and will be attending Princeton University in the Fall. She was the founder of Afghan Refugee Girls Code and is the youth co-chair for Keep Texas Beautiful. She also received the Girl Scouts of America Gold Award.

“To me, the V&E Scholarship means gaining opportunities to explore the legal field,” said Udeshi. “Receiving the V&E Scholarship means having the financial freedom to pursue law.”

Valeria Perez is a graduate of Westside High School and will be attending Yale University in the Fall. She was the president for her school’s Ecology Club, a youth leader in Mi Familia Vota Houston, and an EMERGE HIDS Fellow. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and graduated top eight out of 640 students in her class.

“From a young age, I’ve been able to discern the power of law, which holds the capacity for both harm and good, in keeping systems of order,” said Perez. “I hope that with the generous support from organizations like Vinson & Elkins, I can pursue a career in law to become involved in the environmental policymaking that could spark meaningful change. I’m at much greater ease knowing I’ll have access to affordable LSAT prep and summer internships with V&E as I complete my undergraduate degree, giving me the privilege to focus solely on my studies.”

To learn more about scholarships and fellowships available from Vinson & Elkins – from high school seniors to rising second-year law students in the U.S. – visit the Scholarships & Fellowships section of our website.