Be the change that you wish to see in the world” ― Mahatma Gandhi. In 2021, remote learning and work have taken precedence and many companies are adopting a flexible work environment that allows people with unique expertise to work together despite not being in the same office. With many extracurriculars canceled due to the pandemic, I sought out remote clubs to fulfill my interest in STEM outreach. My greatest achievement to date happened when I joined GirlsCodeIt as the Director of Communications, in which I have impacted 155k+ people around the world looking for the same support system for their interests as I was. I help members learn coding basics through our free courses, set up Zoom networking panels with college students and professionals, and organize free AP examinations prep. However, when I first started, I was intimidated by the global scale of the organization. I lacked confidence speaking about our brand and suffered from imposter syndrome. I realized that outreach is not difficult because of a lack of audience engagement, but the tenacity and self-confidence a leader must have to attract interest. As I took on more responsibilities and received feedback from students thanking me for initiating easily accessible resources, I learned how I can generate the impact I desire. Most of all, my support system of directors was crucial to my success. Through this international initiative, I have worked remotely with teammates using an interdisciplinary and diverse approach. I hope to continue being a support system to my community, empowering all women to pursue any interest. As part of my school’s Virtual Enterprise entrepreneurship program, I started a simulated global business this year. My favorite part has been constructing our original business plan. Owning something so raw and unique has shown me why startups allow imagination to flourish. However, it has not been easy. As the Accountant, I am responsible for writing all financial statements, monitoring Accounts Payable and Receivable, and conducting the break-even analysis. I have experienced firsthand how convoluted and arduous it can be, from having a compelling elevator pitch in developing our brand to analyzing market trends to managing our finances in QuickBooks. This experience has nourished a desire to dive deeper into business and mold my own unique adventure. I am now more eager than ever to build my own brand and discover what role I want to play within the realm of entrepreneurship and the technology that connects us all through the Internet of Things in this modern adaptive remote world. As a business professional in the technology industry, I hope to utilize my expertise in financial acumen and technology fascination to have a pivotal role in the end-to-end process of the birth of a new product that helps everyday people. When I was born, my mom decided to quit her job in order to focus on me. She gave up her future as an accountant and spent five years being a housewife until I was old enough for kindergarten. This setback cost her her career, as it was harder to re-enter the workplace without enough job experience. Similarly, as the pandemic took precedent at the start of 2020, the adaptability of working parents was put to the test. With childcare options closed, many women made sacrifices to prioritize taking care of family. My mother and other mothers out there often account for most domestic duties, including childcare, so they are expected to prioritize domestic responsibilities over personal career opportunities. I want to help build a more supportive work environment for everyone that allows women to continue pursuing their dreams. Whether it is making job finding easier or having AI technology that can help us save time in cleaning the house and making food, I hope to play a pivotal role in product development and integrate with other departments to streamline processes while also contributing to helping in closing the inequality gap at work for me and my colleagues. Overall, I am excited for a college experience that supports my interest in the intersection of technology and business, and my ongoing passion for my community. I believe I should be considered for the WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship because through my exposure to entrepreneurship and my involvement in community outreach, I have learned how to become a better advocate for the people I want to help. I look forward to continuing pursuing my interests in college and using my knowledge in real-world applications and achieving my long-term goal.

Through my college experience, I hope to utilize my expertise in business acumen and technology fascination to have a pivotal role in the end-to-end process of the birth of a new product that helps everyday people. When I was born, my mom decided to quit her job as an accountant and spent five years being a housewife until I was old enough for kindergarten. This setback cost her her career, as it was harder to re-enter the workplace without enough job experience. Similarly, as the pandemic took precedent at the start of 2020, the adaptability of working parents was put to the test. With childcare options closed, many women made sacrifices to prioritize taking care of family. My mother and other mothers out there often account for most domestic duties, including childcare, so they are expected to prioritize domestic responsibilities over personal career opportunities. I want to help build a more supportive work environment for everyone that allows women to continue pursuing their dreams. Whether it is making job finding easier or having AI technology that can help us save time in cleaning the house and making food, I hope to play a pivotal role in product development and integrate with other departments to streamline processes while also contributing to helping in closing the inequality gap at work for me and my colleagues. Growing up, I realized that not many women have the opportunity to go into engineering or computer science fields due to the lack of engaging resources and availability of people helping them. As the Director of Communications for GirlsCodeIt, I have impacted over 155k+ people around the world looking for STEM resources through our Youtube channel, Website, Instagram, and TikTok. With courses like Github, Python, and Business Analytics, our members can access our system from anywhere. All of these experiences and leadership roles are based on the education that has been given to me. Being a first-generation low-income college student, my mother has always been very supportive of me which encourages me to have higher education and change the world. Nothing is perfect and there are many things that can be done in our society to make it a better place. My motivation is my mother who sacrificed everything for me and this encourages me to double major in college and help other mothers out there and low-income households. Therefore, education to me is seen as a changing factor in society when I can gain knowledge to achieve my goals in life and provide a better society for future generations. Education is also the baseline of all innovations. I hope to really combine business and tech by implementing more AI technology throughout the world to help more people out there. I think that after acquiring a 4-year college education, I’ll be able to work with my peers around the globe to come up with innovative ideas together and collaborate with different corporations to implement the technology. Overall, I am excited for a college experience that supports my interest in the intersection of technology and business, and my ongoing passion for my community. I believe I should be considered for the JoLynn Blanton Memorial Scholarship because through my exposure to entrepreneurship and my involvement in community outreach, I have learned how to become a better advocate for the people I want to help, and with higher education, it will aid in my success and goals in life. I look forward to continuing pursuing my interests in college and lessening the burden of student loans on my single-parent mother and providing a better future for all individuals.

“On Rappel!” These words echoed in my ears as fear enveloped the atmosphere. Even the most audacious cadets were trembling at their turn. Palms sweating, chest pounding, I turned around, trying to put on a normal smile, and asked for what seemed like the millionth time, “Do you want to go in front of me? I don’t mind.” I had always imagined the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge to be less of a challenge and more of a leisure activity. I knew about the rappelling activity beforehand, but I had previously been on roller coasters and high places, what was so hard about this? I boldly strutted up the stairs earlier, telling others how this would be a breeze. But when I stood in line, waiting for my chance to descend, my confident aura dissipated. I had forgotten that whenever I was on a roller coaster, my mother was with me holding my hand. In contrast, when I was faced with the intimidating height at the top of the playground slide alone without her companionship, I choked every time. My peers started to push me which intensified my panic until I bowed out, walking down the stairs instead. Once again, the stairs behind me looked so alluring. However, I was no longer a child. I did not want to give up this time so I had to persist with the mindset of overcoming my fears. “Next cadet!” I wiped away the sweat dripping into my eyes to see emptiness in front and no one behind me. My feet suddenly felt plastered to the ground, rigid and unyielding. I numbly let the instructor attach my helmet and harness. “On Rappel!” I couldn’t move. The instructor’s words reached my ears and I wanted to unhook my harness but my body would not respond. “On Belay!” A stranger’s bellowing voice broke my paralysis. I looked down to see a cadet holding the bottom of the rope, grinning at me with a big thumbs up. As a belay partner, she was only responsible for catching me if I fell. We were strangers to each other, but her voice and attitude displayed such confidence in both of us. An outburst of courage coursed through my veins as I gripped the rope tightly. Gulping down my fear, I took a step off the edge and felt the ground disappear. I looked up, buckled in my knees, and began my descent. As I arrived at the last six stories of the building, I looked down the rope to confirm my location and saw my partner’s fierce gaze vigilantly monitoring my position. We made eye contact and at that moment, I felt the safety net of her actions preparing me for my landing. After my feet touched the ground and I was unhooked from my equipment, we smiled at each other, not needing any verbal validation as we both recognized the task accomplished together. I thought I was alone in facing the daunting endeavor, but I wasn’t. Nothing can be done with just the effort of one person—teamwork is crucial. A stranger’s nonverbal, assertive cues were just as impactful as my mother’s support during my childhood. And when it came time for the next group of recruits to complete the activity, I volunteered to be a belay partner. I wanted to lead with confidence and vulnerability by encouraging those around me who had the same fear and uncertainty. As a belay partner, I motivated my peers by ensuring their safety with my determination, diligence, and strong communication skills as I shouted, “On Belay!”