Introducing MSJ’s Summer 2023 Interns
The law and undergrad students who are tackling big projects to help us advance our mission and teaching us new things
Aryanna Islam, Rising 2L at the WVU College of Law
Where do you call home?
Fairmont, WV
Tell folks about yourself.
I have a passion for making West Virginia the best it can be. As a hobby I love to bake and share baked goods with everyone.
What drew you to Mountain State Justice?
I love MSJ’s commitment to helping underserved populations in West Virginia. Everyone at MSJ is very dedicated to doing good for the state, and it is amazing to be a part of such a great organization.
If you could change one policy or law today, what would it be and why?
I would like to see more expansive, reliable broadband across the state. It is important to get all areas of the state connected. And in urban areas great internet quality can help attract new workers.
If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be and why?
I would be a potato because they are very versatile and can take shape into a lot of different forms. I aspire to be able to be good at many different things.
Dalton Ervin, Rising 2L at the WVU College of Law
Where do you call home?
I call a few places home. I grew up in Sissonville, West Virginia, and now live in Morgantown. So, I will always call West Virginia home. I also consider Wesley Chapel, Florida, my home. I moved to Florida for my undergraduate degree, but my family eventually moved there.
Tell folks about yourself.
I am vegetarian. I really enjoy watching television. I, sometimes, try meat if it looks really good.
What drew you to Mountain State Justice?
What drew me to Mountain State Justice was the immigration and special education work the firm does. I have always had an interest in working in immigration law or education law, and Mountain State Justice has allowed me to do some work in both areas.
If you could change one policy or law today, what would it be and why?
Choosing only one law to change is difficult, but if I were to choose one it would be the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation that was passed in Florida last year. While I know this is not the technical name for the law, I believe we should call it by a name that says what it does: silence the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals. This law needs to be repealed because it erases important history and restricts the ability of schools to properly teach health education. LGBTQ+ individuals have been and will continue to make history; erasing this tells students that those who are LGBTQ+ identifying cannot make history, talk about their heroes, nor be themselves. Also, learning about sex education, sexual identity, and sexual identification provides students with tools to proceed cautiously and safely, as knowing about sexual health allows students to make informed decisions when faced with real life situations.
If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be and why?
If I were a vegetable, I would be a potato. I don’t feel like explaining further. Enough said.
Isabel Cruz, Rising Senior — WVU (Social Work)
Where do you call home?
I call Virginia my home, I’m originally from Fredericksburg but I typically stay in Richmond when I visit.
Tell folks about yourself.
I grew up with five siblings, me being the third born and older than two, so I’ve always had a great support system growing up. I love to spend time outside by the water or an overlook, and my friends and I usually have picnics in the summertime. Currently, I study Social Work and intend on going to law school soon after I get my Bachelor’s.
What drew you to Mountain State Justice?
I was drawn to MSJ because of their work helping underprivileged populations. It’s always been my dream to do the most that I can to help people who need and want it but have limited access to resources. MSJ does so much more than simple representation in legal disputes and genuinely cares about the clientele that they have as well as their experiences being vulnerable populations in America, which is what I love about it.
If you could change one policy or law today, what would it be and why?
If I could change one policy today, I would change the Medicaid policy to be more expansive in terms of of LGBTQ+ care, specifically trans healthcare. Too many states, including West Virginia, have been implementing blockages in access to care for transgender people, which is incredibly damaging to these individuals and leads to increases in rates of mental illness and suicide, which is already an alarming issue in America. Mental illness is incredibly harmful to a person’s wellbeing and stands in the way of their life goals. If everyone were able to live to their full potential and be able to tell their stories about their journey, especially coming from those who are subject to flaws in our system like trans people, I feel we would be a more understanding society.
If you were a vegetable, what vegetable would you be and why?
If I could be a vegetable, I would be a zucchini because it’s really good but not a lot of people know that.
More questions for our summer students? You can reach them at aislam@msjlaw.org, dalton@msjlaw.org, and isabel@msjlaw.org respectively!
Need legal assistance? We’re a phone call away @ (304) 344–3144.
