An Unexpected Mentor Changes Orozco’s Career and Life Path

When Jose Orozco ’09 was 18, he met a man named Kevin LaChapelle at the drive-through of a Jack in the Box in San Diego. As Kevin continued to frequent the restaurant, the two became friends. Soon LaChapelle took on the role of Orozco's mentor. Through their conversations and in getting to know each other’s life stories, LaChapelle encouraged Orozco that he could do anything he wanted to do with his life.

For the first time in his life, encouraged by LaChapelle, Orozco considered applying to college. At the age of 20, he enrolled and attended San Diego State University, where he studied philosophy and political science. Orozco explains that he was fascinated by both subject matters and the ways in which they broadened his thinking.

Orozco believes that being in college changed him tremendously. “I realized education seemed to bridge the gap between a former world and a new, more expansive world I had not known existed,” Orozco says. “I saw that people can change their lives through education.” Education became an avenue to create more choices in life, and Orozco has learned, “it is always better to know you have choices.”

After graduating from college, Orozco applied to law school at California Western. According to faculty and staff, Orozco has excelled as a law student, both academically and personally. He has seized countless opportunities to be involved and to provide leadership at the school and within the community.  According to Marion Cloete, Associate Director of Diversity Services, "Through his efforts and personal courage, Jose has made remarkable achievements as a law student and within the community. Jose serves as an example to his peers that determination and perseverance can produce incredible results.  He also exemplifies leadership and compassion towards others, as evidenced by his involvement at the law school and his volunteerism within the community."

During the 2007-2008 academic year, Orozco served as president of La Raza. Through this organization, he traveled to Tijuana with a group of students to donate toys to an orphanage over the holidays. “This experience was extremely gratifying for our group. We felt good contributing to those kids around the holidays,” Orozco said.

Orozco has been a role model academically as well. In early February, Orozco and five other California Western students participated in the Judicial Clerkship Program, which took place in Los Angeles. During that program, Orozco forged relationships with a number of students and judges and plans to pursue a clerkship after graduating from California Western.

In mid-February 2008, Orozco won 2nd place in the Lynch Appellate Competition. Soon thereafter, he was elected president of the Student Bar Association for the 2008-2009 academic year. Orozco won the Brigadier General John R. DeBarr Award in March 2008. This award recognizes a student’s commitment to professional integrity and their great promise to become a creative problem solver for future clients.

Beyond these accomplishments, Orozco is clear about his reason to attend law school.  He intends to use his law degree to be an advocate for people who don’t have the ability to defend or speak for themselves.

Maintaining the tradition of mentorship and service which his mentor LaChapelle brought to his life, Orozco speaks to young students at Promise Charter School. His talks speak to their futures and what is possible for them. At times, Orozco and LaChapelle participate in speaking engagements together, preparing talks which consistently aim to inspire and encourage people to lead a better life and to pursue their dreams.

Orozco will graduate from California Western in 2009.

Click to read the San Diego Union Tribune story about Orozco, published on April 19, 2008.