Will you survive an alien invasion? That was the question behind the first quiz I coded in Computer Science Essentials. The program was basic and clunky, yet watching my classmates interact with it sparked an excitement never felt before. I realized computer science isn’t just about coding, but connecting with people. This was the beginning of a fascination that grew far beyond freshman year. Gripped by curiosity, I enrolled in various extracurriculars that taught me different coding languages. With Python, I learned the fundamentals. With HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, I discovered the potential of creative web development. From C# to Java, each language expanded the possibilities of what I could build. In Girls Who Code, I learned about the strength of women in technology. Dr. Fei-Fei Li’s work on democratizing AI taught me to harness tech for empowerment. Robin Maxkii’s dedication to increasing diversity in tech for Native Americans reinforced my goal to uplift underrepresented communities. Through these stories, I realized a deeper purpose for my technical skills: to create a real-world, meaningful impact. This became especially clear during my Civic Innovators Fellowship. Attending school in a highly industrial city, I’ve witnessed pollution firsthand. One day, a truck driver who’d worked locally for over a decade visited our school to advocate for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We discussed how industrial congestion disproportionately affects minority populations living in our area. Enlightened and inspired, I created my final case brief for my fellowship– Environmental Techquity: Advancing Environmental Justice in Los Angeles Through Tech. Drawing on the citizen science concept I learned in AP Computer Science Principles, I imagined an actionable solution for environmental injustice in the form of a crowdsourcing app. I envision engaging citizens who are personally affected by pollutants daily to contribute data into the app that LA agencies and grassroots organizations can leverage for real change. The main challenge I have faced in my journey is navigating the field of tech and career opportunities as a woman. Being surrounded by solely male peers, I felt discouraged at times because I couldn’t see anyone who looked like me, or really even thought like me, in my classes. I learned that my knowledge was just as valid and real as anyone else’s– I am not an imposter, but an equal. Even today, that is a part of myself that I am working on. Fortunately, the number of women in tech is growing. While the field is still highly male-dominated in areas from engineering to computer science, it has seen significant improvements from year to year. From artificial intelligence to quantum computing to robotics, I’m eager to see where women can make an impact and help propel us to the next level. One of my goals is to advocate for more women and other historically underrepresented identities to enter the field of technology. Wherever I land in my future career, I want to support organizations like Girls Who Code that showed me a future for women in the field. There are likely young students out there who are just like who I was, confused and scared of what the future holds. But I’d like to tell them that as long as they pursue their heart and do what they love, they will end up exactly where they are supposed to. Though it’s hard to predict what comes next, I remain optimistic about the future of tech as a whole. My personal journey is far from over, but I’m positive that my drive to grow my knowledge as an agent for change will open my world to even more possibilities.

The art of sewing is not one I’ve perfected. I am far from a professional seamstress or a fashion designer. Sewing is simply a hobby of mine. Nevertheless, this intricate dance of needle and thread would lead me to one of the most transformative experiences in my life, having influenced not just who I am but who I hope to become in the future. I’ve been volunteering at my local hospice agency for almost two years as an administrative assistant. While behind-the-scenes duties like paperwork are essential, I find the most fulfilling work directly impacts the lives of patients and their loved ones, such as putting together care packages of hygiene products or preparing bereavement letters for grieving families. Though I was content with my service, I realized I had more to bring to the table. After mentioning my sewing to my volunteer coordinator, she was beyond excited. She told me that a small group of volunteers sew chux pads, blankets, medical gowns, and more for patients. However, progress was slow after one of the group’s main contributors recently suffered a stroke. Due to how fast these items go, it was difficult to keep up with their creation. I realized this was where I could fill a gap and use my skills to step up. Before I knew it, I was sewing every minute of my spare time. Stitching colorful fabric together, the churning noise of my sewing machine filling my bedroom from after school into the late hours of the night. While I took pride in my volunteer work, I initially didn’t recognize its significance. It didn’t feel tangible, as I never saw any patients in person. My contributions were meaningful but I felt distant from their impact. My perspective shifted one afternoon after school. While volunteering, I met a kind social worker who stopped by the agency. Spotting the colorfully patterned bibs folded neatly in a large pile on the table, she smiled and thanked me. When she described the difference I was making in the patients’ lives— the giddy smiles on their faces as they received their items— I was brought to tears. It affirmed that what I craft isn’t just a product of my hands, but a vessel of care for someone who needs it. The patients found solace in the simple items I made. This was a moment when my efforts felt truly validated. It reaffirmed my hard work, now reflected in the well-being of my community. Every effort, every small act of kindness I make matters. This fall, I am pursuing a B.S. in computer science at Middlebury College. I’m particularly interested in technology as it is a field that, like sewing, requires attention to detail and creativity. I want to design accessible tools that improve the lives of others. I hope to explore how technology can be used and improved for healthcare, whether through AI-assisted diagnostics or digital tools that strengthen connections between patients, caregivers, and families. At Middlebury, I am looking forward to pursuing undergraduate research into these solutions. Inspired by my volunteering experience, I hope these tools can be leveraged to provide comfort and care to those in need. Through my volunteer experience, I’ve realized my sewing can uplift and support others. I want to make the same impact as I had with my sewing skills, in the field that I am entering. As I move forward, I am prepared to carry the same commitment to quality, creativity, and compassion in my sewing to the next stage of my life, ready to weave the fabric of my future.

I watched the computer, the grainy footage and VHS tape quality capturing the moment frozen in time. This recording featured my grandmother, whom my family referred to as “Nanay.” Despite its literal translation from Tagalog to English as “mom” rather than “grandma” (that’s “Lola”), the term was used out of affection and respect for my close bond with her. She created this video to go with the "balikbayan" boxes: care packages sent by Filipino immigrants to families in the Philippines, filled with essentials and laden with love. Nanay spoke in Tagalog, her voice laced with sadness and yearning. She expressed how much she missed her siblings and her longing to return to her homeland. It was a moment so raw and vulnerable, connecting me to her story in a way I’d never before. She was never able to go back, and the tape was never sent. The unwavering connection Nanay shared with her family is the same connection I share with mine. Filipino culture has always emphasized the importance of this connection, and it is precisely what drives me throughout my journey. I honor this connection and bring respect to my grandmother’s sacrifice by excelling academically and serving my community. As a senior in high school, I have embraced the most rigorous STEM electives offered to me. These classes have included AP Computer Science, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Software Design and Development, and more. I’ve kept a 4.57 weighted GPA while balancing other responsibilities such as taking care of my younger sister. In extracurriculars such as the Girls Who Code program, I learned about the strength of women of color in technology, from Dr. Fei-Fei Li to Robin Maxkii. Through these stories, I realized a deeper purpose for my technical skills: to create a real-world, meaningful impact. Beyond academics, I use the power of creativity to serve my community. In my teaching assistant experience at my church, I channeled my passion for art into being a role model for twenty elementary students, guiding them to express their spirituality through drawing and crafting– contributing 100+ hours overall. At my local hospice agency, I’ve sewn over twenty-five bibs and blankets to bring comfort to patients. Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others, young and old, has been incredibly rewarding. None of this would have been possible without my family. In light of their support, I intend to major in my passion, Computer Science, and use my knowledge to make a positive difference, just like the strong women I’ve learned about before. This fall, I will attend Middlebury College, having been awarded a full-tuition scholarship through the Posse Foundation for leadership and merit. However, my family and I need to cover the cost of room and board through loans. Receiving this scholarship will significantly offset a portion of this large cost, allowing me to focus on my studies and work to save for additional expenses, such as travel. I plan to pursue areas of computer science that particularly interest me, such as data science and machine learning. While my career goals are still evolving, I remain committed to doing my best and making an impact in my field. Most of all, I am determined to give back to my family, my biggest cheerleaders and inspirations. One of my goals is to someday have the means to fly my mother and her siblings back to the Philippines, where they can reconnect with their loved ones in honor of Nanay. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship, and I am so happy to have been able to tell my story.