My journey as a STEM student has been marked by perseverance, growth, and a drive to create solutions that make everyday life a little easier. I come from a low-income background, where financial uncertainty was a constant undercurrent. My parents did their best to provide for us, and while they tried to shield me from the worst of it, I always knew they were struggling behind the scenes. During high school, family stress, financial instability, and personal identity challenges led to a period of depression. My GPA dropped to a 1.7, and for a time, I felt completely off track. But I refused to stay there. Starting my sophomore year of high school—at the first moment I was legally allowed to work—I got a job. And I didn’t stop there. I held two jobs through most of high school while managing schoolwork and working hard to recover emotionally and academically. I enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, stayed up late to study, and pushed myself beyond what I thought I could handle. I graduated high school with a 3.7 UW GPA, went on to earn my associate’s degree from a community college, and I’m now a Computer Engineering major at the University of Central Florida. Even now, I continue to balance work and school to support myself. As I look ahead toward professional opportunities in engineering, I’m fully aware of the costs involved—admissions test fees, prep materials, application expenses—all of which add up quickly. When you’re responsible for your own finances, even small costs can be real barriers. They force you to hesitate before applying, to wait before buying, or to go without something others might take for granted. That’s why this scholarship, even if it’s not a large sum, would be a meaningful step up. It might cover a certification exam, materials for a course, or even part of a testing fee—costs that might otherwise hold me back or delay my progress. It’s not just the financial support that matters, but the encouragement it represents. It tells students like me that someone sees the work we’re putting in and believes in where we’re going. Looking ahead, I want to use my degree to create public-serving technology—systems that make life and work more manageable, collaborative, and efficient. Whether it’s simplifying access to information or improving workplace tools, I want my work to reduce stress and increase opportunity for others. And as someone who’s had to find my way through hardship largely on my own, I’m committed to helping others do the same. I plan to mentor and support students like me—those who are smart, capable, and driven, but just need that extra bit of support to move forward. This scholarship may not remove every barrier, but it would move one out of the way. It’s a push in the right direction—and with every step, I’m getting closer to building the kind of future I’ve worked so hard to reach.

During high school, I struggled silently with depression for nearly two years. Family challenges weighed heavily on me, and my academic performance suffered—I had a GPA of 1.7. For a long time, it felt like I was trapped in a cycle of hopelessness. But deep inside, I knew I wanted a better future—not just for myself, but for my future family, and to one day repay my parents for their struggle. I didn’t want them to worry about basic needs like where they would sleep or how they would be supported. That vision became my motivation to change my life. With that drive, I pushed myself harder than ever before. I took multiple Advanced Placement classes, stayed up late studying, and sought out support when I needed it. Slowly, my grades improved. I ended up graduating high school with a 3.7 GPA, a turnaround that showed me how resilience and determination can break through even the toughest obstacles. This experience with mental health has deeply shaped my beliefs. It taught me that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a step toward strength and healing. It opened my eyes to the importance of empathy—not just for myself, but for others who are quietly struggling. I value kindness and understanding in my relationships, knowing how much they can make a difference when someone feels lost or alone. In my career aspirations, this journey fuels my desire to build systems and technologies that make life easier and less stressful for others. I want to contribute to innovations that support people—whether through simplifying complex work processes or creating environments where collaboration and wellbeing thrive. My personal experience has given me a unique perspective on how difficult life can be, and I want to use my skills to help reduce those difficulties for others. Having overcome significant mental health challenges, I now approach my education and work with renewed purpose and resilience. I’ve graduated from community college and am now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida. Each step forward is a reminder that setbacks do not define us—they are opportunities to learn, grow, and keep moving forward. Ultimately, my experience with mental health has made me a more compassionate person and a more determined student. It has shaped the core values I bring to my relationships and my career: empathy, perseverance, and a commitment to creating a better future—not just for myself, but for everyone around me.

My long-term career goal is to become an engineer who not only builds systems, tools, and infrastructure, but who also helps shape a world where people feel supported, connected, and empowered in their everyday lives. I want to use engineering to improve the systems people rely on—especially in public spaces and community-driven organizations—so that those systems are more efficient, intuitive, and ultimately, more human. Whether it’s simplifying workflows or designing tools that allow people to collaborate more easily, I hope to contribute to solutions that make life smoother for everyone, especially those who’ve had to work the hardest just to stay afloat. This goal is deeply personal. I come from a low-income family where my parents gave us everything they could, even when I knew it came at great personal sacrifice. There wasn’t extra money for tutors, camps, or fancy tech, but there was always encouragement and the example of hard work. I learned to be resourceful—to make the most of every opportunity, to find free learning resources, to teach myself new skills, and to keep going even when things felt uncertain. For my first two years teaching myself to program and attempting to catch up with my fellow classmates getting my first degree- every semester I'd rent out a laptop from the local library! That mindset has carried me through my academic journey, and it continues to push me forward now as a sophomore studying Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida. In my current internship at the Florida Department of Transportation, I’m working on projects aimed at improving internal systems for traffic operations. Through this experience, I’ve seen that impactful change doesn’t always require large-scale innovation; sometimes it’s about improving communication, removing friction between departments, or designing processes that help people feel more in control of their work. Seeing people feel more confident and connected because of something I helped build is incredibly meaningful to me. It confirms that engineering, at its core, is about service—and that’s the kind of impact I want to have in my career. The values that drive me—empathy, purpose, and responsibility—are rooted in my background and in my hope for a better future. I know what it’s like to have to figure things out on your own, to weigh every financial decision carefully, and to feel pressure to succeed not just for yourself, but for everyone who’s supported you. That’s why I approach every opportunity with seriousness and gratitude. I want to pay it forward, not only by helping improve the systems people interact with, but by mentoring other students from underrepresented backgrounds and showing them that they belong in this field too. Looking ahead, I see myself leading or contributing to collaborative, mission-driven projects that improve how communities function—whether in government, education, or healthcare. My dream is not just to build “what’s next,” but to build what makes life more livable. And I want to do it with kindness, honesty, and a strong sense of purpose. This scholarship would not only help lift a financial burden from my shoulders, it would also be an investment in a future engineer committed to solving real problems for real people.

Growing up, my parents always made sure my brother and I had everything we needed. We never went without food, clothes, or the support to keep moving forward. But as much as they tried to hide it, I knew they were struggling. I saw the stress behind their smiles, the careful budgeting, and the quiet sacrifices they made to give us stability. That quiet strength taught me to appreciate every opportunity and fueled my desire to create a future where families like mine don’t have to stretch themselves so thin just to get by. My mission is to use my skills in technology to make life a little easier for the people who carry the heaviest loads. Now, I’m a sophomore studying Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida. I recently transferred after earning my associate’s degree at a community college. I care deeply about using technology to improve the systems people rely on every day—especially those in underserved communities. What drives me is the idea that even a single tool, built thoughtfully, can save someone time, energy, and frustration—and that time can be used to live, not just survive. One issue I’m especially connected to is inefficiency in public service systems. Low-income individuals—people like the ones I grew up around—often face slow, outdated processes that add unnecessary stress. This frustrates me because it disproportionately affects those already carrying the heaviest burdens. During my current internship at the Florida Department of Transportation, I’m working on an AI chatbot to help staff quickly navigate complex manuals and streamline the approval process. It’s a small but meaningful step toward a larger goal: using technology to support those who support our communities. If I had the power to create big change, I would develop accessible tools for government offices, schools, and clinics—places where every minute matters, and every dollar is stretched. I would create systems that simplify and speed up day-to-day operations so people can focus on what really matters: teaching, helping, and serving others. I chose computer engineering because I’ve always been curious about technology. I’m a “go, go, go” person, constantly asking, “What’s next?” I wanted a field where I could build real solutions to real problems. Engineering offers the perfect balance of creativity and logic, and I plan to use it to research emerging technologies that make a difference in people’s daily lives. One goal I’ve set for the next five years is to lead a tech project—possibly a startup or research initiative—that applies AI to improve public systems. To get there, I’m taking on internships, working with mentors, and continuing to sharpen both my technical and leadership skills. I believe that by staying curious and committed, I’ll get there. Education has helped me find my purpose. It’s taught me not just how to code or solve equations, but how to solve problems that matter. It’s also shown me that I belong in this space—that I have something valuable to contribute, even if I didn’t grow up with the same resources as others. As a woman in engineering, I’ve already noticed how rare it is to see people who look like me in the room. But instead of discouraging me, it’s motivated me to work harder and represent proudly. I hope that by being here, I can open the door a little wider for the next girl who’s questioning whether she belongs. To me, leadership means taking initiative and showing up—especially when no one’s watching. I may not have had formal leadership titles yet, but in my internship and in class, I try to lead with effort, positivity, and purpose. I aim to contribute meaningfully wherever I am. A moment that tested my resilience was the transition from community college to UCF. It meant leaving behind a familiar environment and facing bigger academic and financial challenges. Balancing school, commuting, and my internship wasn’t easy, but it taught me that I can adapt, manage pressure, and keep pushing forward—especially when I’m working toward something meaningful. Receiving this scholarship would be a life-changing opportunity. It would ease the financial strain I still carry, allow me to focus more fully on my education, and help me pursue the hands-on experiences that will bring my vision to life. It’s not just support—it’s belief in my potential. And that means everything.