CHICAGO, ILL., June 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nicholas Ventola, the student body president at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, was awarded the LGBT Pride Celebration Scholarship at the 7th Annual Pride Celebration & Awards Ceremony. Ventola was recognized for his service to the LGBT community, and for the work he has done as an extern at the Illinois State's Attorney Office. He was the only recipient of this year's LGBT Pride Celebration Scholarship, which was presented by Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago Vice President Moses Suarez.
"I am very honored to have been chosen for this scholarship," Ventola said. "It has always been my goal to work in an environment where I can help secure equal rights and treatment for all and working with the LGBT community and the State's Attorney Office has really allowed me to do that."
Ventola's decision to attend law school was driven by his passion for working and advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. He hopes to one day hold a political office that would allow him to work on policies that would increase the quality of life for those with disabilities. During his first year of law school at John Marshall Ventola helped organize a fundraiser benefiting Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization he volunteers with that works with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This past year, Ventola also served as the Seventh Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association.
About The John Marshall Law School
In 2015 John Marshall was named an "LGBT-Friendly Law School" by the American Bar Association. The list of just eight law schools includes those school considered to go above and beyond its counterparts to provide an inclusive environment for LGBT students. Only law schools with established associations and forums designed to enhance educational opportunities for LGBT students were included.