Growing up with a single mother shaped me into the person I am today. My mom, Samantha Archibald, is the most amazing person I’ve ever seen. Her story is one of strength, sacrifice, and persistence, and it’s inspired me every day of my life. She didn’t have an easy start, she grew up in the Virgin Islands in a small trailer, surviving multiple hurricanes that left her without food, without shelter, and sometimes homeless. But she still managed to earn not just one but two degrees, one from Iowa State and another from Virginia Tech. That alone showed me that no matter what life throws at you, it’s possible to keep going and accomplish something great. When I was around 9, my parents got divorced, and from then on, it was just me and my mom. My dad didn’t help her at all, and she had to start a whole new life for us. There were times when we didn’t have much, we moved a lot and sometimes lived in people’s basements. Still, my mom always made sure we had food, clothes, and love. Even when things were hard, she never gave up. That made me realize how important it is to be resilient and to keep working, even when things don’t go your way. One of the things that really bonded me and my mom was building together. I helped her build all the furniture in her Airbnb, and we’ve worked on so many other projects as a team. That gave me a strong work ethic and taught me the value of doing things with your own hands. She never let me sit around and do nothing, she believed in me, pushed me, and expected me to step up and contribute. That’s something I carry into everything I do today, whether it’s in school, sports, or life in general. What I’ve learned most from my mom is how to be selfless and strong. She sacrificed so much to make sure I had a future. She put her dreams on pause just so I could chase mine. Watching her go through everything she went through, and still show up every day with love and determination, showed me the kind of person I want to be. I want to make her proud. I want to work hard, be successful, and be someone who can one day give back to her the way she gave everything to me. Growing up with a single mom wasn’t always easy, but it made me tougher, more grateful, and more driven. It gave me perspective and purpose. It shaped me into someone who refuses to give up, because I come from a woman who never did.

Books have always helped me think bigger than my situation. A lot of what I’ve learned from reading isn’t just about facts or stories, but about how people grow, struggle, and figure themselves out. Some of the books I’ve read helped me think deeper about who I want to be, not just career-wise but also as a person. One book that stuck with me was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It taught me that chasing a dream doesn’t always look perfect, but it’s still worth going after. The main character, Santiago, leaves everything he knows to find a treasure he saw in a dream. His journey is full of setbacks, but each one teaches him something that helps him grow. That message hit me because I’ve faced a few setbacks myself, whether it’s getting injured during track season or trying to balance school, sports, and personal goals. That book reminded me to keep pushing forward, even when things don’t go exactly as planned. It helped me stay focused on long-term goals, like earning a scholarship, going into software engineering, and helping my family in the future. Another book that had an impact on me was Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It broke down the idea that success only comes from talent. Instead, it talked about how opportunities, effort, and time play a huge role. The “10,000-hour rule” really stuck with me. It made me more serious about how I use my time. Whether I’m training for sprints, doing coding projects, or working through courses like cybersecurity or DevOps, I try to be intentional. I know success isn’t something that just shows up one day, it’s something you build, little by little. Books like Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins also gave me a mental edge. His story about overcoming insane odds showed me how powerful the mind can be. It helped me push through tough workouts and hard days, especially when I felt like quitting or falling behind. I don’t relate to everything in his life, but I do relate to the feeling of needing to prove something to yourself. That’s how I try to approach things now, by working like I’ve got more to prove. Reading hasn’t just helped me with motivation, it’s also helped me explore career interests. I’ve read tech blogs, eBooks on cybersecurity, and articles about AI and software development. That’s how I realized I want to major in software engineering and minor in cybersecurity. Books and reading in general gave me the chance to learn about careers my parents didn’t grow up with and gave me a way to figure out how to get there. In the end, reading helped me think past the day-to-day and start focusing on building something bigger for myself, my family, and my future. It shaped how I see hard work, and it continues to shape my goals every time I learn something new.

My grandparents came to America from Nigeria when they were still very young, chasing an education and a better life. They came for college and were some of the first in our family to leave everything behind and start over in a new country. Even though I didn’t get to know all the details of their journey, I always admired their bravery and the foundation they laid for me. That move changed the direction of our family. Because of them, I’ve had access to opportunities they never had at my age. Still, my path hasn’t always been easy. I grew up between two households after my parents separated. Constantly moving between my mom’s house and my dad’s meant I had to adapt to two different sets of rules, communication styles, and daily routines. There were times when confusion about transportation, practice schedules, or schoolwork made things more stressful than they had to be. Something as simple as who was picking me up or whether I could stay late for an event became more complicated than it should’ve been. At first, it was hard not to let that affect me. I missed opportunities, turned things in late, and sometimes felt like I was trying to hold everything together on my own. But over time, I started to grow from those challenges. I learned how to advocate for myself, how to plan ahead, and how to stay focused even when life around me felt chaotic. Those skills helped me stay on the honor roll while taking advanced classes and competing as a multi-sport athlete. Being split between households also helped me connect more with my family on both sides. I had to understand different perspectives and take on more responsibility. I got better at time management, setting goals, and staying committed to them, skills that have helped me with everything from school to running my own reselling business. I’m also working to earn certifications in cybersecurity and software engineering, areas I plan to study in college. Even though I didn’t grow up with one set version of stability, I’ve learned how to build that for myself. I think a lot about how young my grandparents were when they came here, how much they had to learn, and how hard they worked to succeed. I want to make their effort worth it. That’s part of what drives me, to keep building something greater for myself and my future family.

I've always believed that no matter where you start, you can still make a big impact if you've got the mindset to work hard and not give up. That's how I live my life everyday as a student, as an athlete, and as someone who wants to do more than just exist in the world. I want to leave something behind. My goal is to make a positive impact by building a career in software engineering and cyber security, two fields that are already shaping the future. But for me, it's just about tech or getting a good job. It's about creating something meaningful and using my skills to help people and protect the systems we rely on every day. Growing up, I was always curious about how things worked, especially tech. I loved computers and learning new things, even when I didn't fully understand them yet. But it wasn't until high school that I really started putting in the work to turn that interest into a goal. Between AP and dual enrollment classes, I started taking online certifications through Coursera in cyber security and DevOps. I realized that technology isn't just a tool, it's a way to solve problems, protect people, and open doors for communities like mine that don't always have the same resources or safety. At the same time, I've been learning how to balance everything else, sports, school, family responsibilities, and that's where my drive really shows. My days are long. I wake up early, go to school, go to track practice, hit the gym, come home to cook dinner, and then stay up late doing homework or studying. But I don't complain, I just keep going. That's because I know what I want and I'm willing to outwork whatever's in my way. I want to be successful, not just for me, but for my family, for my community, and for younger kids watching who need to see what's possible. In the future, I want to use my knowledge in cyber security and software engineering to build systems that keep people safe, whether that's creating secure networks for schools, businesses, or hospitals, or teaching young people how to protect themselves online. I also want to mentor and hire students from underrepresented communities, especially Black youth, to get into STEM fields where we're still too often overlooked. If I can open doors for others while building something bigger than myself, then that's how I'll know I've made a real impact. I know I'm still a high school student now, but the grind I've already put in, and the mindset I've developed proves that I'm serious about making something of myself. I've got ambition, I've got potential, and most importantly, I've got drive. I don't just dream, I plan, I work, and I push through. And that's exactly the energy I'm bringing into my career and the impact I plan to make on this world.

My name is Aden Olatunji, and I'm a proud African American student athlete at West Potomac High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. I come from a background shaped by challenge, faith, and purpose. As someone who lived between homes in Alexandria and Lorton following my parents divorce, I've learned from a young age how to adapt, remain grounded, and keep moving forward despite life's disruptions. Those lessons shaped my drive to serve others and to create meaningful change, especially for people in underrepresented communities like my own. Academically, I've worked hard to stay focused even when life felt unpredictable. My GPA currently stands at 3.32, and I've taken advanced coursework such as Dual Enrollment classes. I've also balanced rigorous athletics as a varsity sprinter and basketball player, all while managing family responsibilities and running a clothing brand called Sole Eccentrics during my freshman and sophomore years. My journey hasn't been perfect, but it's been real, and every experience has pushed me to stay hungry, humble, and focused on my goals. One of the biggest things I've learned is the value of giving back. I've had the chances to serve in different communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. With Alfred Street Baptist Church in Old Town, I helped distribute groceries to families in need, many of who reminded me of my own. I've done community planting work in Maryland, helping restore green spaces and promote environmental care. I also helped set up a major public celebration in Ward 8 in Washington, D.C., where we created a free, joyful space with food, games, performances, and conversations for families who may not have regular access to safe, uplifting environments. These experiences reminded me that service isn't about having it all, it's about giving what you can to help others rise. I believe I should be selected for this scholarship not because I've had the easiest path, but because I've continued walking it with purpose. I represent a group of students who are often overlooked or underestimated young Black men balancing school, sports, family, and ambition with limited resources but unlimited potential. I'm committed to using my education to study computer engineering or cybersecurity and eventually create solutions that protect vulnerable communities and help close the digital divide. Whether that's through innovation, entrepreneurship, or mentorship, I want to ensure the opportunities I earn don't end with me, they multiply and flow outward. This scholarship would help me continue walking in that purpose. It would not only lighten the financial burden of college, but also validate the path I've taken, one built in resilience, faith, and service. I'm not just planning to make an impact in the world, I've already started. I just need the chance to keep building.

Lebron James isn't just my favorite basketball player, he's my greatest source of inspiration as both an athlete and a young man working toward his dreams. What draws me to Lebron goes beyond his stats, championships, and highlight reels. It's his mindset, consistency, and ability to lead both on and off the court that truly makes him the greatest of all time in my eyes. Growing up watching Lebron dominate the NBA, I saw more than just a player who could score, pass, rebound, and defend better than almost anyone. I saw a leader who elevated everyone around him. Whether it was leading an underdog Cavaliers team to an NBA championship in 2016 or carrying the weight of expectations since he was a teenager, Lebron showed that greatness requires not just talent, but resilience, discipline, and vision. As a student athlete myself, I relate to the pressure of balancing academics, sports, and expectations. Watching how Lebron manages pressure from media critics to championship level moments has taught me that being great isn't about being perfect, but about staying committed to growth. His ability to stay in peak condition, stay focused, and keep performing at a high level for over 20 seasons motivates me to push myself everyday, whether on the track, in the gym, or in the classroom. Beyond basketball, Lebron's impact on his community is a major reason why I look up to him. His "I PROMISE School" shows that he cares about giving back and creating opportunity for the next generation, especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds like he did. As a young African American student, it means a lot to see someone who looks like me using his platform to uplift others. I'm a fan of Lebron James not just because of his championships, MVPs, or Olympic gold medals, but because of the example he sets. He represents the kind of person I strive to be, dedicated, community focused, and unwilling to settle for anything less than excellence. That's why, to me, Lebron James is not just the GOAT of basketball, he's the GOAT of life.