Cynthia Hager L’22 and Kailyn Hutchins L’22 will each receive $2,500 in recognition of their “academic responsibility, a passion for community involvement, and a personal connection to Guilford County.”
Two Elon Law students with a record of academic achievement and community leadership are recipients of an inaugural scholarship created by the Greensboro Bar Association.
Cynthia Hager and Kailyn Hutchins from the Class of 2022 will each receive a $2,500 check from the GBA at the association’s April meeting.
The new GBA Academic Scholarship will be awarded annually to financially assist two second-year Elon Law students who “demonstrate academic responsibility, a passion for community involvement, and a personal connection to Guilford County.”
Cynthia Hager L’22
Hager earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Virginia Tech. After working for a year as a law clerk in Blacksburg, Virginia, Hager then enrolled at Elon Law where she has volunteered as a guardian ad litem and has led the Family Law Society during the 2021-22 academic year.
As a law student, Hager also interned at the Law Office of Manisha P. Patel, PLLC, drafting legal documents related to questions of family law. She has volunteered with Elon Law’s Innocence Project and the Elon Law Tax Preparation Program in conjunction with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program.
“Being one of the two recipients of the Greensboro Bar Association Scholarship has been a huge blessing, and I am so thankful for the GBA’s support,” Hager said. “Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to take advantage of the opportunity to complete my residency in Charlotte at the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina without stressing about finances.
“I look forward to bringing what I learn back to Greensboro and using it to practice law in the community after completing law school!”
Kailyn Hutchins L’22
Hutchins grew up in Maryland before attending North Carolina A&T State University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. Inspired to pursue a legal career following a family tragedy as a teenager, Hutchins then enrolled at Elon Law, where she has been an Advocacy Fellow and a member of the Elon Law Trial Advocacy Board.
Hutchins also serves in leadership roles with the Black Law Students Association, the Elon Law chapter of the Innocence Project, and the Student Bar Association, among other activities. She served as a summer law clerk with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and received a limited practice certificate in January 2022 to work in Elon Law’s Guardian ad Litem Appellate Advocacy Clinic.
“I am so thankful as one of two Elon Law students to receive this generous scholarship from the Greensboro Bar Association, and for the association’s support of me throughout law school,” Hutchins said. “More importantly, I am thankful for being able to give back to the Guilford County community through my work at Elon Law and through my connections at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, my alma mater.
“I can’t thank the GBA enough for believing in me and I am honored to receive this award.”