DUIs are more than just a statistic or a legal issue - they are a tragedy that has devastating effects on individuals, families, and society as a whole. When someone chooses to drink and drive, they not only put themselves at risk but the lives of everyone on the road. The effects of DUIs are felt far beyond the individuals involved in the accident. For victims and their families, the emotional and physical trauma of a DUI-related accident can last a lifetime. Innocent people are injured or killed, leaving behind loved ones to mourn their loss and grapple with the pain and grief of a life cut short. Community involvement and support can help prevent DUIs. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving can provide support for victims and families of DUIs and can work to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. Additionally, community events and campaigns can promote responsible drinking behaviors and encourage individuals to make safe choices regarding driving after drinking. Education and awareness campaigns targeted at specific groups, such as young drivers or those with a history of DUIs, are significant deterrents for impaired driving. Education at a young age can instill the risks of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the legal and financial consequences of a DUI conviction. Awareness campaigns promoting responsible drinking and driving behaviors, such as using designated drivers, planning ahead, or utilizing ride-sharing services, further the pursuit of preventing DUIs. Ultimately, preventing DUIs comes down to personal responsibility. Drivers must take responsibility for their actions and make responsible choices about drinking and driving.

If I could have anyone read one book, I would suggest "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. The novel provides a powerful and moving account of the experience of being Black in America. Through the protagonist's journey, the story explores the pervasive and systemic racism that shapes the lives of Black people in America, from the overt brutality of the South to the subtler forms of racism in the North. By reading the novel, readers gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and struggles of Black people in America, forcing them to confront the injustices that continue to exist in our society. The protagonist's struggle with identity is heavily related to my own life being an African American woman growing up around predominantly White people. I have experienced and witnessed moments of injustice and contemplated my role in the battle for justice. This book eloquently chronicles my, and many others, experiences as a Black person in America. The reason for suggesting this book is to allow others like me, despite race, age, or sexuality, to understand that feeling invisible is a common struggle that has persisted across generations. Another reason I recommend this novel is for others to learn about the hardships that African Americans are encountering through the perspective of an unnamed Black man, a symbol of how many Black people feel today. Ellison makes a powerful call to action that highlights the need for a collective struggle to confront and overcome America's injustices. I desire that readers are inspired to take action to fight racism and promote social justice, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Artificial Intelligence has already begun to transform our lives in countless ways, and its potential for positive impact in the future is enormous. As someone with the goal of becoming a software engineer, the prospect of AI becoming a helpful, widely available tool is incredibly inspiring. With the popularization of Chat GPT, the benefits of artificial intelligence are becoming widely known. One area in which AI is already having a significant impact is healthcare. With its ability to analyze vast amounts of medical data, AI can help identify patterns and insights that could lead to better diagnoses, more effective treatments, and ultimately better patient outcomes. Another area in which AI is having an impact is education. AI-powered educational tools can personalize learning experiences for individual students, adapting to their learning styles and helping them to achieve their full potential. This is especially true for Chat GPT as students may use the tool to explore more in-depth topics that teachers and countless hours of research can not. AI can also automate administrative tasks, such as grading, freeing up teachers' time to focus on more valuable activities, such as providing one-on-one support to students. What is most inspiring about AI is its potential ability to help those with disabilities. I am one of the primary caretakers for my mentally disabled, legally blind, non-verbal cousin. His biggest struggle is his inability to communicate, something that AI could solve in the future. The technology's ability to learn patterns will allow us to better understand and treat those with disabilities. My cousin is the main influence behind my dream to become a software engineer as I hope to assist in the development of AI for the benefit of people like him.

As an African-American female pursuing computer science, I have always felt alienated when expressing my fondness for the field, especially with my medical field-focused family. Despite showing my competency in computer science, I have had to experience instances where my intelligence and abilities were underestimated. This problematic assumption became clear to me when a student in my computer science class was looking for a peer to help him with a difficult assignment. When he looked at me, he incorrectly assumed I did not know how to do the work. I told him that I had completed it, to which he looked stunned and continued to ask the other male students for assistance, marking another instance that a student or teacher misjudged me. Although these moments may seem insignificant, they made me brutally aware of a harmful stereotype that minimizes minority women. Subsequently, I made it my goal to break the stereotypes and barriers that come with women of color pursuing male-dominated fields such as computer science. I have already made small strides towards this goal by encouraging my minority friends and family members who have shown interest in STEM to continue to pursue the field. According to Code.org, only 47% of public high schools in Texas host a computer science program despite the field's demand in the work sphere. This paired with uncf.org's study showing that Black women only make up 3% of the tech workforce further motivates me to begin an organization that teaches, supports, and inspires young, underprivileged women in the tech industry. Adequate education is not widely available, especially for underprivileged minorities, as billions of high schools in America remain critically underfunded. It is necessary to provide every aspiring student with equal opportunities to pursue any field, despite the numbers stacking against them. For my non-profit organization, I intend to provide resources that will assist underprivileged students in learning subjects that are not widely available. I also find it crucial that students learn more about how to transition into college and adult life, as I find that many of my peers, including myself, are still quite clueless about what awaits us after graduation. Another aspect of my organization is the possibility for others to donate to underfunded schools to provide more programs and classes that would otherwise not be feasible. My main goal, however, is to construct a safe environment that uplifts minority and underprivileged students to prevail in their future.

For two years, I have been the primary caregiver of my autistic and legally blind cousin. Malachi is only eight years old and has not yet learned how to communicate verbally, creating many hardships. He came from an abusive home and is residing with us while attending a school that cares for special children. Both of my parents have full-time jobs, leaving me to tend to Malachi. My aunt smoked while pregnant with Malachi, leading to his current disabilities. After Malachi's father passed and we learned of the abuse that he was enduring, my mom took the initiative of bringing him in. One of the key factors of learning communication is mouth-observing, which was impossible with Malachi's blindness. He never learned how to properly communicate and is only able to repeat questions back to us. Malachi also does not know how to chew his food, which could not be taught to him, causing health complications due to the limited food items available for him to consume. Learning how to properly care and develop patience while caring for an autistic child, especially one who is on the extreme end of the spectrum, has a harsh learning curve. It is hard for people to understand how different it is to raise a child who can not communicate his feelings. Just by caring for Malachi for a couple of years, I have changed as a person. I have gained so much more sympathy and patience, especially for those on the spectrum. One of the hardest things that I have had to deal with as Malachi's primary caregiver is the stigma that surrounds mental disabilities. Most people on the spectrum are easily overstimulated. Malachi falls into this category, getting rowdy when in crowded, loud areas, which is worsened by his blindness. While shopping at the mall, Malachi began to throw a fit and was only calmed when given his toys. He effortlessly gets lost in his own world, dancing to whatever store music is playing. A group of girls noticed Malachi and giggled to themselves asking, "Whose kid is that?" And, I regrettably admit, I was embarrassed, and it was the worse feeling. I had a deep self-reflection at that moment, wondering how I could possibly be embarrassed by my beloved cousin. I had fallen victim to the toxic stigma that belittled those with mental disabilities. That moment changed my entire outlook on how I perceived strangers in public. My family was able to enroll Malachi into a school that cares for autistic children. This allows me to attend school without trouble and care for him in the afternoon. Being the only one watching him while my parents are at work has prevented me from attending after-school activities or spending time with friends. This has taken a toll on me as I have become more reserved throughout my high school career and have lost out on many essential high school experiences. Despite its many hardships, I am overwhelmingly happy that my family and I have been able to improve his life.

My passion for academic success has always been exceedingly strong. I have continuously strived to do my best in everything that I do, often being told by parents to dial it back. This characteristic of mine, although sometimes tiring, is something that I love about myself. In all fields of my life, my ability to dedicate myself to a single task has ceaselessly helped me prevail and excel. My dedication applies heavily to my academic career. During my early high school days, it was difficult for me to make friends and socialize. Instead of dragging my feet till graduation, I decided to hone in on making near-perfect grades. My dedication opened doors for top-tier colleges and helped me define my future career. Knowing how much I am able to commit to a task, my anxieties about college dwindled. I am confident that my pure dedication will help me conquer the rigorous curriculum of colleges. Not only has my characteristic of dedication paved my future, but it also has helped me endure challenging situations. I am currently in my senior year of high school and enrolled in a Computer Science class. Computer Science had quickly become my number one passion and what I would be majoring in in the future. Although it may seem insignificant, I noticed that I was the only African American and the only female in the class. At that moment, it dawned on me that I would have to flourish in a male-dominated industry. According to DHI Group Inc, the gender pay gap in the tech industry is significantly worse than most. For Software Engineers, my dream career, there is an average annual pay difference of nearly $8,600. It was devastating to learn that my future goals could possibly be tainted by systematic oppression. Rather than let this troubling circumstance prevent me from pursuing my dreams, I used it to my advantage. With the help of my dedication, I plan to exceed in my Computer Science class and subvert the expectations of anyone who thought less of me because of my gender or the color of my skin. The value of having dedication as a characteristic outweighs the obstacles that come my way. Dedication has single-handedly carried me through tough times by exceeding the expectations of myself and my peers. Through these experiences, I have learned to turn unfortunate circumstances into opportunities to thrive. Citations: DHI Group (Firm). "The gener pay gap in tech."(2020). APA