Cybersecurity Scholarship

I am submitting this application for the Cybersecurity Scholarship to further my education in Cybersecurity Studies. I am currently an international student at Westchester Community College. I come from Colombia, South America. I have studied administration, accounting, hospitality, and catering services. In 2019, I decided to expand my knowledge to learn more about global business, economy, investments, systems, marketing and then apply that knowledge to create my own business and in that way generate more employment opportunities and give back to the community in some way. I am happy to say that this experience has been highly enriching in many ways. I am very proud to say that I have become proficient in English, and as a result I received a high score on my TOEFL test. I cannot deny that it has been very challenging to stay away from family and friends. I must keep going the distance because there will be no change if I do not work for my future, my dreams, and to improve my community. Last year I joined the Port Chester Fire Department as a volunteer and applied to WCC and as a result here I am. It has been an amazing experience because I am following some of my personal core values which are to work hard for my dreams, and to always give back in some way. Rolling in WCC opened a new learning experience for me: meeting beautiful people, learning so much, and experiencing new things. In addition, my work as a volunteer with the fire department has positively impacted my life. Values such as responsibility, integrity, compassion, loyalty, persistence, hard work and honesty have always been part of my life. I`m very happy to have found, in this volunteer experience, a community that shares these foundational values. This semester I joined the Women In Cybersecurity Club and with all the information and knowledge that I gained from my education in Colombia and during the spring semester at WCC, I have set my sights on that field. It is a growing field that encompasses all the areas I want to know more about. I believe I can make something great that will impact not just my life but also the community around me as well. I think knowledge is a non-depreciable asset and getting a scholarship will help me to reach my goals. I`m more than grateful for the opportunity to be part of Westchester Community College this year. My sponsor has been supportive and has become my family in this country. They are helping to support me by providing room and board during my time as a student, but the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic happened, inflation and unexpected health issues that are currently affecting my family are situations that have affected my personal finances. I have been using my savings to support myself and to pay my school expenses. Getting a scholarship will allow me to continue my studies. I am reaching out to you. I know the Cybersecurity Scholarship has been supporting students and that help has made an enormous positive change in their lives. Thank you for considering my application. I have enclosed recommendations letter from my college professors and my transcripts. Sincerely, Laura E. Vargas Levargasg91@gmail.com