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Sarah Hall

Biography

Sarah Hobeika describes herself as a "perpetually competitive person," competing not against others, but against herself, with two specific objectives in mind - "personal fulfillment and improving the lives of others."

Sarah's sense of social consciousness and responsibility has its roots in her early childhood when she was first inspired by a National Geographic photograph of a child refugee and wrote a poem in which she essentially pledged her commitment to advocate for others. Since then, Sarah has demonstrated great enthusiasm and dedication to public service through her work with her university and community.

As an International Rescue Committee mentor, Sarah helped five Afghan refugee women, who fled the oppression of the Taliban government, adjust to life in the United States. Her relationship with this family, and her responsibility to advocate for them when they were unable to do so on their own, convinced Sarah of her calling to pursue a career in law and "serve as a voice of justice for others."

Sarah is also committed to youth. As a YMCA volunteer basketball coach for seven years, Sarah works with young girls, encouraging and inspiring them to excel both on and off the court. She also volunteers as a textbook reader for blind students at the University of Virginia and as a mentor to children in her community hospital.

In addition to her community service, Sarah is active in various university organizations. As a senior advisor to UVA's Honor Committee, Sarah has mentored and trained 65 other students to serve as advisors in enforcing the university's code of conduct. She has provided advice to key faculty on over 100 nationally publicized plagiarism cases.

Sarah's commitment to community service is rivaled only by her academic achievement. She is both a Jefferson Scholar and Raven Society member - two of the most prestigious awards the University bestows to students.

Sarah says her sense of purpose to succeed academically and professionally in a future career in law is driven by her commitment to serve others and an "idealist commitment" that has followed her through ten years of her life. Sarah's goal is to pursue a career in public service. She may eventually return to academia and become a law professor "to instill within the next generation the desire to serve as dependable and virtuous lawyers and citizens."

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