I remember hearing the stories and what people said about him. His smile was so bright it could light up an entire room. He “invented” the flying car from Back to the Future: Part II. He almost always made time for his little angels and grand-angels. He was my grandfather. He died when I was 13, and I learned so much about his life after he passed away. My mom told me that he was a civil engineer and that he even got a master's degree before moving to the U.S. from El Salvador. Before I found out about his first career, I mostly knew about him as a knowledgeable family man who worked at the local O’Reilly. I began to understand that he was a problem-solver who convinced our family and me that he invented the flying car. I realized early on that he wasn't just the guy who invented the flying car; he was dedicated to his craft and persevered as he started a new life in America. His story inspired me to study engineering, but I chose electrical engineering at first because of my interest in, and the growing demand for, technology in the modern world. It led me to study engineering at a career-prep school called the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center(GRCTC) during my junior and senior years, and I enjoyed the classes I took. While working on projects at the GRCTC, I found myself spending as much time troubleshooting and improving designs as I did building them. Even though I enjoyed developing skills, such as teamwork, and building things with my hands, I eventually realized, while I was at the GRCTC, that I was more interested in improving what was already made rather than just making something new. That was when I learned about cybersecurity and gravitated toward the challenge of protecting the technology that people rely on every day. I realized I was more interested in securing and improving existing systems than creating something brand new. As a woman of color, I hope to contribute to a perspective that reflects the diverse communities that technology serves. Cybersecurity affects everyone, regardless of their background, and protecting digital systems requires all kinds of people to work together with different experiences and ways of thinking. I want to help build secure technologies that people can trust while encouraging more young women and underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM. By combining the perseverance I learned from my grandfather with the problem-solving skills I developed through engineering, I hope to strengthen the cybersecurity and STEM fields and inspire others to do the same. My grandfather showed me that determination can create opportunities far beyond what seems possible. I hope to honor his legacy by using cybersecurity to protect the systems people depend on every day while helping build a profession where more women and people of color are able to flourish and see themselves as thinkers, leaders, and problem solvers. Making technology safer is important to me, but so is making the field itself more welcoming to those after me.

Although dance is not a traditional sport, my experience as a second-year member entering my third year of the Lakeview Centennial Dance Ensemble taught me many of the same skills required in athletics. When I first began committing to dance in middle school, I saw it as an opportunity to express myself and challenge my abilities. Over the years, dance became more than just an activity. It became a place where I learned how to push through difficulties and work on personal growth. Learning new choreography and performing it helped me become more comfortable taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone. Being part of the dance ensemble has helped me build creativity, perseverance, and confidence. It requires endurance, dedication, teamwork, and the willingness to improve. Each year, we prepare for two major performances, which require weeks of practice, memorization, and collaboration with our teacher and teammates. Balancing rehearsals and practices with maintaining a 3.9 GPA taught me how to manage my time and stay committed to my goals. I have learned to plan ahead and make sure I give my best effort both in practice and the classroom. Managing dance and academics requires me to prioritize my responsibilities. I use my time outside of school intentionally by planning when I will complete assignments and prepare for upcoming rehearsals. This experience has helped me develop habits that will continue to benefit me through senior year and college. Dance has also taught me that success comes from working as a team. A performance depends on every member contributing to a common goal by communicating and supporting each other. During my first two years of the dance ensemble, I have become more confident in my abilities and more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. As a member of the ensemble, I have learned that being a teammate is not only about performing but also about encouraging others. Supporting my teammates and working toward a shared goal has shown me that connection matters when trying to accomplish something as a group. My experience with dance has helped me prepare for college by teaching me discipline, resilience, and the importance of balancing multiple commitments. The perseverance I have developed through dance continues to influence how I face challenges in my academics and future goals. These lessons will continue to help me in college and beyond. In a field like cybersecurity, I will need to solve problems, collaborate with others, and stay dedicated when challenges come up. The discipline I developed through dance has shown me that improvement comes from patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn. The skills I have developed through dance will continue to influence my future. Whether I am working on academic projects, participating in organizations for community service, or pursuing a career in cybersecurity, I know that discipline, teamwork, and creativity will be essential.

I remember hearing the stories and what people said about him. His smile was so bright it could light up an entire room. He “invented” the flying car from Back to the Future: Part II. He almost always made time for his little angels and grand-angels. He was my grandfather. He died when I was 13 and I learned so much about his life after he passed away. My mom told me that he was a civil engineer and that he even got a master's degree before moving to the U.S. from El Salvador. Before I found out about his first career, I mostly knew about him as a knowledgeable family man who worked at the local O’Reilly. I began to understand that he was a problem-solver who convinced me and our family that he invented the flying car. I realized early on that he wasn't just the guy who invented the flying car; he was dedicated to his craft and persevered as he started a new life in America. His story inspired me to study engineering, but I chose electrical engineering at first because of my interest in, and the growing demand for, technology in the modern world. It led me to study engineering at a career-prep school called the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center(GRCTC) during my junior and senior years, and I enjoyed the classes I took. While working on projects at the GRCTC, I found myself spending as much time troubleshooting and improving designs as I did building them. Even though I enjoyed developing skills, such as teamwork, and building things with my hands, I eventually realized, while I was at the GRCTC, that I was more interested in improving what was already made rather than just making something new. That was when I learned about cybersecurity and gravitated toward the challenge of protecting the technology that people rely on every day. I realized I was more interested in securing and improving existing systems than creating something brand new. I am applying to UT Dallas because I want to attend a university close to home that offers a strong STEM program while allowing me to connect with others who share my interests in things like music and technology. The Cybersecurity Technology and Policy major at UT Dallas stands out to me because it allows for interdisciplinary coursework that combines technical knowledge with an understanding of how technology shapes the world around us. Its location in the Dallas area provides access to a growing industry revolving around the digital world and opportunities to learn new skills outside the classroom that I can use in future careers in cybersecurity and IT. It combines the problem-solving skills needed for engineering with the need for keeping the fabric of the digital world intact and an understanding of how technology affects society. With a career in cybersecurity, I hope to continue the legacy of hard work, dedication, and problem-solving ability my grandfather left behind while following a new path that aligns with my interests and goals. As a kid, I believed that he invented the flying car. Today, I know he was someone even more impressive; he was a problem-solver who inspired me to find another way to help people by protecting the systems they rely on every day.

My faith in God has been a source of strength, purpose, and guidance throughout my life. As an autistic Christian, I have experienced challenges that can make daily life more difficult, including sensory sensitivities and navigating situations that are hard for me, but seem simple to others. Amidst those challenges, I held on to the story of the blind man whom Jesus healed. It was through that story that I discovered that the reason God gave me autism wasn't because of anything my family did or because he made some sort of mistake, but so that the word of God might be displayed in me. Through my faith, I have learned that God created everyone with special gifts. Rather than viewing my autism only as a burden to myself, I see it as part of how God made me and how I can serve others. One of the ways God has worked in my life was through helping me see challenges from a different perspective. Because I experience sensory sensitivities, I understand how important accessibility tools and services can be. Through my crochet business, I designed a pouch for Loop earplugs that allows the user to remove their earplugs with one hand. This idea came from not only my own experiences with sensory overload, but also my desire to help others. Creating products that solve real-life problems has shown me how God can use personal struggles to serve his creation. My faith also taught me perseverance. Coming up with a business idea while in high school requires commitment, patience, and lots of time. There have been times when balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, business responsibilities, and personal time felt overwhelming. However, trusting in God is what kept me going. My faith reminds me that success is not only measured by what you accomplish but also by integrity, faithfulness, and willingness to serve others through your gifts and talents. After high school, I plan to pursue a career in cybersecurity while managing my crochet business as a side hustle. Cybersecurity is a field protecting people, organizations, communities, and information from harm. I am drawn to this career because it combines problem-solving, attention to detail, and helping others; all of these are things that God has helped me to develop. My faith will continue to guide me as I use my skills ethically and responsibly by recognizing that people behind the data and systems I will be protecting matter just as much as the technology itself. As I continue my education, my faith will help me to remain compassionate and dedicated to serving others. God has taught me that challenges can become opportunities to connect with him and help people, and that all gifts can be used for his glory. Whether I am protecting the systems people use every day or creating products for my business, I hope to use the abilities he has given me to create a positive impact on others.

I remember hearing the stories and what people said about him. His smile was so bright it could light up an entire room. He “invented” the flying car from Back to the Future: Part II. He almost always made time for his little angels and grand-angels. He was my grandfather. He died when I was 13, and I learned so much about his life after he passed away. My mom told me that he was a civil engineer and that he even got a master's degree before moving to the U.S. from El Salvador. Before I found out about his first career, I mostly knew about him as a knowledgeable family man who worked at the local O’Reilly. I began to understand that he was a problem-solver who convinced my family and me that he invented the flying car. I realized early on that he wasn't just the guy who invented the flying car; he was dedicated to his craft and persevered as he started a new life in America. His story inspired me to study engineering, but I chose electrical engineering at first because of my interest in, and the growing demand for, technology in the modern world. It led me to study engineering at a career-prep school called the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center(GRCTC) during my junior and senior years, and I enjoyed the classes I took. While working on projects at the GRCTC, I found myself spending as much time troubleshooting and improving designs as I did building them. Even though I enjoyed developing skills, such as teamwork, and building things with my hands, I eventually realized, while I was at the GRCTC, that I was more interested in improving what was already made rather than just making something new. That was when I learned about cybersecurity and gravitated toward the challenge of protecting the technology that people rely on every day. I realized I was more interested in securing and improving existing systems than creating something brand new. I hope to build a career in cybersecurity by protecting the systems that individuals, organizations, and communities rely on every day. Cybersecurity is more than computers; it's about trust, responsibility, and supporting the community in an increasingly connected world. This scholarship would help me to pursue that goal by allowing me to focus on my education and develop the skills necessary for a career in cybersecurity; most importantly, it would support my commitment to serving others using technology. My grandfather showed me the importance of perseverance and using knowledge to help others, and I hope to continue that legacy in my own way.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to make a difference somehow. As a child, my grandfather always supported me in anything I wanted to do with my life. He was a civil engineer before he moved to the United States from El Salvador, which led to the engineering pathway. After he passed away when I was in 8th grade, I knew that this was what I wanted to do as a way to keep part of him with me. Because of this, I plan on furthering my education in STEM and studying mechanical engineering in college. I want to use my knowledge to help design and build robots that can help people with tasks that would otherwise be harder to do, such as handling toxic substances and lifting very heavy loads. I want to get at least a bachelor's degree because that is the minimum education requirement for most, if not all, engineers. If I can, I would like to get a master's degree so that I can increase my odds of getting a job in my chosen field of study. I know that this is hard to accomplish, but I know that with determination and a growth mindset, I can do anything I put my mind to.