I started at Rio in 1998 at the age of 45 and earned my AA. The encouragement I received from my instructors at Rio gave me the confidence to pursue my childhood dream of being a lawyer. From Rio, I went on to earn my bachelor's degree from ASU and in December 2005 I graduated from ASU College of Law. I passed the bar and have been a practicing attorney in Arizona since May 2006. For the last five years I have been employed as an Assistant Attorney General in the Fraud and Special Prosecution Section. I don't make much money as a prosecutor (they will be taking my student loan payments from my Social Security Retirement) but it is my job to search for the truth, protect my community, help victims and serve justice. I have the pleasure and opportunity to have this job because of my experiences at Rio. Rio was the first place I had ever said out loud, since I was 13 years old, that I wanted to be a lawyer. Rio allowed me to see that I could continue my education while working full time and being a wife and mother of two children. I am eternally grateful to the Rio community and am glad to see that you are continuing your great work. Thank you!

Signed,
Beverly Rudnick