Juxtaposing the feeling of giving a speech to a rapt audience of hundreds of graduates and family members at Yankee Stadium, with her memories of only seeing the stadium on TV when she lived in Bronx housing projects, Sonia Sotomayor implored New York University grads to always keep dreaming to achieve their goals.

Sotomayor, the third woman and first Hispanic to sit on the country’s highest court, received an honorary doctorate of Law from NYU.

She explained what New York City means to her.

“There is excitement returning to New York. Whenever I cross a bridge or a tunnel to return my heart sighs with joy.”

The chief justice shared her thoughts on the path to success with the graduating students. “The key to success is consistently maintaining an ever-present curiosity,” she said.

Students who heard Sotomayor’s speech on a cloudy turned sun-splashed morning said they were inspired by her words and her presence.

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