Mackenzie Manofsky, an incoming first-year law student at the University of Miami School of Law, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Perez Mayoral Trailblazer Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes post-secondary students pursuing careers dedicated to giving back to their communities, with Manofsky chosen from over a thousand applicants for her demonstrated leadership and community engagement.
Manofsky, an honors graduate from Washington University in St. Louis, brings a multidisciplinary background to her legal studies, having majored in International and Area Studies, Economics, and Chinese Language and Culture. Her academic foundation aligns with her career goal of establishing an organization to support small businesses and non-profit agencies in South Florida after completing law school. This initiative reflects the scholarship's focus on identifying individuals who embody the trailblazer spirit by creating pathways for others to follow.
The selection committee highlighted Manofsky's extensive community involvement, including her experience as a teacher in a Title I classroom and her leadership role in supporting 200 first-year students through event organization and community building during periods of change. These experiences, coupled with her involvement in honor societies, sororities, and religious groups, demonstrated her commitment to fostering community connections and assisting those facing resource access challenges.
The Perez Mayoral Trailblazer Scholarship represents the law firm's commitment to supporting the Florida legal community and promoting civic responsibility. As detailed on their website at https://www.perezmayoral.com, Perez Mayoral, P.A. is a Miami-based firm specializing in representation for homeowners and businesses, particularly in HOA and condominium litigation. The scholarship program is one of several initiatives through which the firm contributes to the legal ecosystem, emphasizing values such as community support and the protection of individual rights.
This award is significant as it provides financial support to emerging legal professionals who demonstrate potential to drive positive change in their communities. By recognizing and investing in students like Manofsky, the scholarship program helps cultivate the next generation of lawyers committed to public service and community development, potentially influencing how legal services are delivered to small businesses and non-profits in South Florida and beyond.
