My journey into computer science began through my family’s love for playing Super Smash Bros Ultimate. What started as a simple pastime quickly evolved into a catalyst for my fascination with the digital world. While my initial focus was on the thrill of victory, a growing curiosity about the intricacies of the digital realms emerged, ultimately sparking my passion for the field. While I have not yet settled on a specific career path, I find myself particularly drawn to game development and cybersecurity. My recent involvement with the Security and Privacy Lab, a cybersecurity club, has opened my eyes to yet another exciting facet of computer science. This experience, combined with my membership in the Atlanta University Center’s Advanced Coding Collective and the National Society of Black Engineers, has provided me with invaluable mentorship opportunities and workshops that are critical for my career readiness. These organizations not only enhance my coding knowledge but also equip me with the networking skills necessary to establish meaningful connections in the tech community. As a current goal for myself, I envision a future where technology empowers individuals by enhancing educational opportunities, improving access to resources, and fostering community engagement. The influence of organizations like A Better Chance and my participation in programs such as the Spelman CPD + Career Launch powered by Verizon have prepared me to take on this challenge. They have not only equipped me with essential technical skills but have also instilled a sense of responsibility to give back to my community, reminiscent of Chris’s dedication to helping others. Courses like AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A have allowed me to delve into programming with Java and currently Python, where I am developing both technical skills and a love for problem-solving. However, it was my experiences outside the classroom that solidified my decision to pursue this field. As a Lead Youth Mentor for an after-school cheer program, I learned to translate complex concepts into understandable lessons for younger students. This role taught me the importance of patience and effective communication—skills that I know will be invaluable as I aim to create technology solutions that are accessible to all. Receiving the Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship would be an incredible honor and a crucial step in my educational journey. Financial support would alleviate some of the burdens of tuition and allow me to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. More importantly, it would connect me to a legacy that champions perseverance and compassion in the pursuit of knowledge. I am deeply inspired by Chris’s ability to create connections and foster an environment of support and encouragement. As I navigate my own educational path, I am committed to honoring his spirit by applying the lessons I’ve learned from my experiences to uplift others in my community. With this scholarship, I hope to embody the same principles that guided Chris throughout his life: to be present, to support, and to inspire.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate has been an enduring source of joy for my family, transitioning from a simple pastime to a catalyst for my interest in computer science. While my initial focus was on the thrill of victory, a growing curiosity about the intricacies of the digital realms emerged, ultimately sparking my passion for the field. While my primary focus centers on computer science, my aspirations extend to the realm of medicine. Images of infants born prematurely, a reality witnessed through the struggles of my cousins, fuel my passion for medicine. Guided by the impactful legacy of my grandfather, a neonatologist who saved countless lives, my firsthand experiences shadowing him have illuminated the profound influence he had on his patients. My affinity for both computer science and medicine harmoniously aligns with my inherent detail-oriented and logical nature. I am drawn to the intricate nature of puzzles and the systematic approach involved in problem-solving. This mindset is not only a preference for me but a necessity, especially when deciphering the intricacies and reasoning behind complex mechanisms. While I have always had a deep love for STEM, there was a moment where I struggled and began to reconsider what it was I was truly passionate about. I wanted to make the same impact my grandfather did and save lives, but if I couldn’t do well in AP Biology, how would it be possible? I had planned this path for years, and now I was wavering. I was beginning to think that I may have chosen wrong, but then I remembered my grandfather’s story. He left everything he knew behind to become a doctor in a country whose language was foreign to him. His days in the U.S. were numbered, and he was forced to return to Peru, and yet he found a way to refute the fate he faced. When my grandfather arrived in the U.S., he didn’t speak English. While working with other doctors, a language barrier could potentially impact a patient’s life. Because of this, the hospital informed my grandfather that his contract would not be renewed. Undeterred, my grandfather spent longer hours learning English, and by the time his contract ended, they noticed his vast improvement and asked him to return the following year. If he had chosen to give up and return to Peru in that situation, I would not exist today. His story gives me the determination and courage to overcome all my obstacles. One in particular was the choice between computer science and medicine. Both subjects feel natural and I could not help but feel like I would be leaving a part of myself behind by choosing. But then I realized that I did not need to choose. I have decided that I want to use my knowledge in computer science to code and create models for hospitals and I would use my knowledge in medicine to make sure these models would be accurate to play my own part in saving lives.

Thinking back on it now, I did not realize My first experience with VR showed the reality, speed, and accuracy of which we were developing technology. Of course, as this was years ago, I was mostly interested in the sounds of NPCs echoing directly in my ear talking to me and my vision that was completely surrounded by the environment of the game. It felt as if I was really there. The joysticks in my hands became an extension of my own body as I interacted with the virtual world that I was in. Technology has served as catalyst for development in the past few decades. New inventions have increased the efficiency of our everyday lives. Cars and planes, for example, exponentially increase our efficiency for transportation. We can make it much farther distances in a smaller amount of time due to the technological advancement of vehicles. The internet, texting, and emailing have allowed for quicker communication to someone from a far distance bringing more people together. The recently developed virtual reality, while currently popular for teens who have a love of gaming, has also shown to be very helpful in educational environments. Medical students can use VR to simulate surgery. It allows them to gain the experience and knowledge that can only be gained through hands-on experience while also not having to risk anyone’s life. These students come into hospitals and operate on patients with much higher success rates due to the sheer amount of experience they are receiving. VR can also be used to benefit aspiring pilots. They can simulate and learn how to fly without having to put themselves or their teacher at risk learning to fly the real thing. VR can be used in the classroom to go to places your school will not be able to take you. My freshman year my history class was not able to go visit the Tomb of Nefertari in person, so my teacher found a way for us to still gain the same experience. We were able to get a virtual 360º tour of the tomb while listening to a guide give us the history and information about all the work we viewed inside. This unique tour, even if we were not actually there in person, gave us all a memorable lesson and ultimately we were all much more engaged in this more hands-on experience.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate has been an enduring source of joy for my family, transitioning from a simple pastime to a catalyst for my interest in computer science. While my initial focus was on the thrill of victory, a growing curiosity about the intricacies of the digital realms emerged, ultimately sparking my passion for the field. While my primary focus centers on computer science, my aspirations extend to the realm of medicine. Images of infants born prematurely, a reality witnessed through the struggles of my own cousins, fuel my passion for medicine. Guided by the impactful legacy of my grandfather, a neonatologist who saved countless lives, my firsthand experiences shadowing him have illuminated the profound influence he had on his patients. My affinity for both computer science and medicine harmoniously aligns with my inherent detail-oriented and logical nature. I am drawn to the intricate nature of puzzles and the systematic approach involved in problem-solving. This mindset is not only a preference for me, but a necessity, especially when deciphering the intricacies and reasoning behind complex mechanisms. There is nothing like the thrill that comes when you are trapped, invested in your own mind, completely dedicated to checking all the realms of possibilities to get to an answer. The question I always had to answer was how? How does this tick? How do I get from point A to point B? How do I make this make sense? Beyond the confines of the hospital, there were many instances where strangers approached me and my grandfather, expressing gratitude for the life-saving interventions that allowed their children to grow into thriving adults. These encounters underscored the transformative power of medicine and the potential for one individual to shape the trajectory of another's life. For a while I felt conflicted, feeling as if I had to choose between two different careers I am passionate about. I could not commit to just one, but who says I could not find a way to combine them? I have decided that I want to use my knowledge in computer science to code and create models for hospitals and I would use my knowledge in medicine to make sure these models would be accurate to play my own part in saving lives. This path that I have chosen will give me the best of both worlds and will allow me to live up to my potential to contribute to the rest of society.

@amarievangeline