John Woolley Memorial Scholarship

A tinkerer, a figure skater, an engineer, and a creative writer–I am someone who values performance, responsibility, and growth in every endeavor. I approach my goals with intention, striving to produce work that is thoughtful, inventive, and meaningful. I recognize the importance of learning from experience and building on both my strengths and weaknesses. Throughout high school, I have challenged myself academically while also seeking opportunities to contribute meaningfully to my school and community. When I read about John Woolley’s life, I was drawn to his deep appreciation for exploration, nature, and purposeful living. His curiosity and commitment to experiencing the world resonated with me, particularly his ability to find meaning in both adventure and quiet observation. Like John, I find myself most grounded when I am immersed in the natural world–but I also draw my inspiration from the outside and develop my experiences into creative writing–using artificial intelligence as a creative tool by developing systems that support reflective writing and human expression In the gorges of Vermont and along the volcanic cliffs of Cape Verde, I have always been drawn to the deep turquoise and blue waters of rivers and oceans. I dream of traveling to Greece, the Caribbean, and Brazil to explore marine ecosystems, to witness coral reefs and the small, brilliant life that exists beneath the surface. A picture-perfect scene, to me, is incomplete without natural bodies of water–their color, depth, and movement. In those moments, the world feels still. I am reminded of how vast and intricate life is beyond my immediate responsibilities. These experiences fuel both my curiosity and my appreciation for the natural world, much like John’s passion for capturing and preserving its beauty through photography. This sense of appreciation extends into how I engage with others. As the founder and president of my school’s Science Olympiad team, I created a space where students–especially those who did not initially see themselves in STEM–could explore, learn, and grow. Many students joined, unsure of their abilities, but I worked to foster an environment where curiosity and effort were valued over prior experience. Through this, I learned how to lead with patience and intention, helping others build confidence and discover their potential. Outside of school, I volunteer at the Cardinal Cushing Centers Marketplace, where I assist in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Here, I help manage end-of-day sales by organizing and documenting cash balances. From this, I value seeing how small, consistent contributions support larger opportunities for students and residents. This experience has reinforced my understanding that impact is often built through steady, intentional effort. John Woolley’s life reflects a balance of curiosity, discipline, and appreciation for the world–values I strive to embody in my own journey. I plan to pursue a degree in computer engineering, focusing on developing environmentally sustainable and ethical computing systems, particularly in artificial intelligence. I hope to contribute to protecting and sustaining communities through technological innovation and through my personal endeavors in creative writing with technology. Where both of these hobbies have commonly had division, I have intertwined my passion for both by bringing my stories to life with artificial intelligence roleplay and conversation tools. This scholarship would provide meaningful financial support, allowing me to focus more fully on my education and pursue opportunities such as research and hands-on projects. More importantly, it would support my ability to continue growing as a student, leader, and individual who values exploration, responsibility, and impact. I hope to honor John Woolley’s legacy through the way I approach my work–with curiosity, intention, and a deep appreciation for both the world around and the people within it.

I am a Computer Science major at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina, and I grew up in Washington D.C. — not a big city by geography, but one of the most significant places on earth. Washington D.C. is a city that taught me early that the world is much bigger than where you grow up, and that curiosity is one of the most powerful tools you can carry with you. Travel has always meant something to me. Every new place I've visited has shifted my perspective in ways that no classroom could replicate. There is something about stepping into an unfamiliar environment — a different city, a different culture, a different landscape — that forces you to pay attention differently. You notice things. You appreciate things. That sense of discovery and wonder that travel sparks in me is something I relate to deeply in John Woolley's story. His commitment to exploring the world with intention, always ready to capture its beauty and preserve its meaning, reflects a way of living that I aspire to. What makes me unique is the intersection of where I come from and where I'm headed. I grew up navigating a resource-limited environment in D.C., watching how unevenly opportunity gets distributed — and I made a decision early on to use technology to change that. My focus in Computer Science is building AI-driven sports technology and wearable performance tools for athletes in underserved communities. Young people who have the talent but rarely have access to the resources that could take them further. That mission drives everything I do academically and professionally. Outside of the classroom, I serve my community through The Church Without Walls, where I lead media and technology operations and participate in homeless outreach. I'm also a Student Ambassador at WSSU and a member of Rams HOPE. Service has always been a core part of who I am — not something I do for recognition, but something I do because I genuinely believe that how you show up for others defines your character. The scholarship funds would go directly toward tuition, technology resources, and travel that supports both my academic growth and my exposure to new environments and ideas. John Woolley lived with adventure, purpose, and an eye for the beauty that most people walk past without noticing. I want to carry that same spirit forward — building technology that matters, serving the people around me, and never stopping exploring.

I am the first person in my family to pursue art as a career rather than going into finance or medicine. My parents came to the United States from Poland in 1992. While they have done their best to provide us with a plentiful life, they have never been encouraging when it comes to me pursuing a path that is alternative to what they want. However, without intending to, they helped put me on this path. My mom enrolled me in various activities like ballet, figure skating, soccer, and more. Her efforts to keep me engaged and entertained cumulated into my love for the arts and a profound need to express myself through them. And my dad– I owe him gratitude for my love of nature. Whether it’s winter or summer, rain or shine– whenever I’m with him, we are outside. He has taught me to love and appreciate nature through the various activities he would do with my siblings and me: hiking, skiing, kayaking, and climbing. My dad also loves tennis and taught my siblings and me how to play. Whenever I pick up his old Wilson racket, I am hit with a wave of nostalgia; memories of my dad making us chase tennis balls across the court. At eleven years old, my parents gifted me a Nikon Coolpix camera, and I fell in love with photography. It had the basic functions, but it was perfect for me to learn the foundations. I took pictures of anything and everything, and it accompanied me wherever I went. Unfortunately, my passion was stifled when I entered middle school. Family circumstances, bullying, and an uncomfortable realization of my identity as a lesbian plummeted my mental health. High school was not much better. Self-doubt stunted my capacity and confidence. As a result, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I used a gap year to work and figure things out. During this time, I had revitalized my love for photography. In my free time, I picked up my Nikon Coolpix once again and began creating the kind of photography I wanted to see as a queer woman who values expressing herself. My lifelong friends offered themselves as models to help pursue my passion. Together, we have created beautiful scenes of the female form in nature. With their encouragement, I applied to SUNY Purchase after completing community college. I am striving to learn as much as possible while obtaining my BFA in photography. My tuition is what I plan to use this scholarship for. Every summer since my childhood, I have committed to travelling to Poland for a month. I have utilized Poland’s proximity to other countries to my advantage. I have visited Prague, Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and other artistically influential cities. I have made it my mission to visit an art museum in every country I explore. Immersing myself in art is how I absorb different cultures and procure inspiration. Although there are many endearing places, I am most drawn to Puerto Rico. This beautiful island is an enchanting entanglement of nature and artistic expression. Some of my best photos were taken there, intermeshing the lush jungle of El Yunque with the organic human form. I strive to synthesize the skills that enable my photography to express my perspective and experience as a woman who attempts to love every part of herself. Nature, in its rawness and realness, I feel, is the medium through which connection and affirmation reach women and queer people. Nature is one of my most valuable tools in achieving authenticity and embracing it.