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A lifelong Yankees fan, Sonia Sotomayor threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game. Paparazzi wait outside her home in Greenwich Village. And she's the center of attention at events she attends.

Sotomayor became a household name and overnight celebrity with her nomination and confirmation to the nation's highest court.

"She becomes like a rock star. Every place she goes, she becomes the story," said Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez.

Her triumphant story begins in the housing projects of the South Bronx, where she was raised by her mother, after her father died when she was just nine years old. She studied at Ivy League colleges, went on to practice law, and became a federal judge.

Now she's the first Hispanic to be elevated to Supreme Court justice.

"I think it's a tremendous moment for New Yorkers, particularly New Yorkers who are from modest backgrounds," said Cesar Perales, president of the Latino Justice Puerto Rican Legal Defense League. "[It sends the message] that you will now have a voice among the most powerful voices in our nation. That will represent our interests."

Sotomayor comes to the bench with more years of federal judiciary experience than any other justice in United States history. But there was a big behind-the-scenes effort to get her talents noticed.

Her friend and supporter Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, went straight to the top.

"I told the president, in your hands you have a historic opportunity to shape the U.S. Supreme Court for years to come, forever," she said.

Sotomayor is already helping to shape the lives of young people. She's been a great inspiration to Columbia University senior Julia Gonzalez, who has now decided to apply to law school.

"When I saw the confirmation of Justice Sotomayor, she really made me examine the kinds of contributions I want to have and the kinds of things I want to achieve in my lifetime," Gonzalez said.

Sotomayor's friends say she embraces the title of role model and her leading role in history.

"She understands that and will use it to be able to inspire other struggling kids who go to school and face obstacles and challenges," said Velazquez.

"In this country, we recognize now for the first time that people of color have talent and the ability to make the kinds of judgments you need on the Supreme Court," Perales said.

And as the Supreme Court gets its new term underway with its newest member, Sotomayor's friends say she'll be taking a huge step forward while always giving back.