Sophia and the Pandas

By: Teresa Dietrich

Sophia Tuinstra spent the days leading up to her first meeting with mentor Ellen Doyle, constitutional lawyer, studying the constitution and having nurses quiz her on various components. And when she met human rights activist and lawyer Bryan Stevenson she was prepared with a scrap of paper filled with carefully thought out questions. Although Sophia embodies the maturity and dedicated nature of a seasoned lawyer, she still finds joy in trips to places other than the nearest courtroom. Last week, she and an entourage of family and Connecting Champions members visited the Pittsburgh Zoo. 

Sophia was there to visit with her favorite animal--the red panda. Equipped with a panda-decorated shirt and a visible enthusiasm, Sophia and her group were escorted into the habitat of the red pandas at the zoo. The beautiful animals were draped over branches and perched on tree stumps, eagerly greeting the zookeepers and allowed Sophia to gently stroke their heads. 

Never without a smile, Sophia was enamored of the soft, reddish-brown fur of the pandas. Throughout the time there, Sophia absorbed the facts the zookeepers told her, her quick mind filing them away with the lists of constitutional amendments. It was wonderful to be able to provide the opportunity for Sophia to meet the red pandas, and while she still plans on going to law school, we know that if anyone can get a law passed to allow red pandas in courtrooms, it’s Sophia.

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