This issue of the Nota Bene marks our last of the semester. With that in mind, the Editorial Board would like take a moment to issue a brief statement relating to the contents of this week’s issue. In particular, one article, a major autobiographical feature by Staff Writer Prerna Lal (2L) stands out as especially noteworthy.

The idea of the “self-made-man” is intrinsic to the American Dream and American identity. Yet it is a distinction that few of us ever attain. Prerna is one of the few.

A native of Fiji, Prerna has called the U.S. “home” since the age of 13. Yet today, she is still an undocumented resident of the United States. Over the course of her life, Prerna has faced serious and persistent hardships, including social and physical abuse, much of which is detailed in her feature. Yet in the face of such adversity, Prerna managed to grow into a successful, optimistic and well-rounded young woman.

This week, even as you read this message, Prerna will be attending deportation proceedings in San Francisco. Prerna is an exceptional student, an indispensable contributor to the Nota Bene, and an irreplaceable member of the GW Law community. As such, without taking sides on any of the several abstract debates currently ongoing in the field of immigration law, the Editorial Board would like to extend our support to Prerna in this matter as she works through the hearing process. We very much hope to see her on staff next semester, and we encourage any and all to read her feature, and to express their support for Prerna’s continued ability to contribute to our community.

In addition, the Editorial Board would also like to take a moment to thank the numerous members of our staff for their hard work for the Nota Bene this semester.  In particular, special recognition is due to a few writers for their outstanding contributions. To Stephanie Levitt (1L), who has striven to bring in-depth profiles of GW Law faculty members directly to the student body with her column Office Hours. Her work has been conscientious and engaging. To Elizabeth Confalone (1L), who continues to produce diligent research regarding the funding of student organizations. To Mark Aaron Cox (1L), who as SBA Correspondent has assiduously and successfully sought to keep elected student politicians accountable to their constituencies. To staff writers Megan Brown (2L) and Jonathan Foster (1L), for their consistently well written, timely, and stimulating reporting. To Opinions Writer Robert Stephens (2L), for giving us an inside look at the Occupy Wall Street Movement. And last but not least, to Features Columnist Blake Behnke (2L), who through his column Badinage continues to do what he does best, bringing smiles to the faces of otherwise humor-starved law students.

Thank you all for your contributions, and we look forward a new semester of reporting. To anyone interested in contributing to the Nota Bene over the course of the spring semester, please do not hesitate to email us at notabene@law.gwu.edu.