Those who serve in the military are heroes; without a doubt. I am fortunate to not only be the son of a veteran but my grandfather and great-grandfathers all served their country, as well. I have grown up hearing stories about the honor of serving one's country. As a result, I spent much of my high school career honoring those who served by volunteering to play Taps at military services and parades, participating in local community service projects to benefit veterans, and creating service projects to thank veterans for their service. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second year of college at Central Maine Community College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest but to also be working locally. Although I chose not to go into the military, I still have aspirations to be heroic and serve my country in other ways. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. One of my goals would be to create a company that helps veterans protect themselves from cyber criminals. I hope to provide free education about digital security and to provide free computer security services to veterans. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will positively impact others, and my exemplification of the most important value: honor for service. My family's military experiences have impacted my choices significantly; I hope my choices and career path help me become heroic just as my veteran family members have been.

"To infinity and beyond!" Buzz Lightyear was my inspiration. You see, I have autism, and Buzz and his friends helped me see that I could be anything I wanted to be despite my challenges. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented with an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. How does this tie into my favorite Disney character? I wanted to be a hero, just like Buzz. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship. One lesson has always come through from all of these experiences: taking risks is worth the outcome. Now, whenever I face a challenge, I think of the lessons I learned from Buzz and his friends and let them guide me. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “Who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

Surely I was ready…. My goggles were secure, forming an impenetrable barrier. Arm floats were tight around my scrawny arms. “Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. Looking at the pool floor below, I was terrified. What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if I didn’t have autism? This, ultimately, is the real question. If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? People always act surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and TRIO. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career and attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am a student at Central Maine Community College carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. My professional goals center around stopping cybercrimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship. One lesson has always come through from all of these experiences: You never know what will happen until you just jump in. Eventually, I jumped in the pool that day. Exhilaration accurately describes how I felt as the cool water surrounded me. Now, whenever I face a challenge, I think of that day and let my sense of accomplishment guide me. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “Who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

Surely I was ready…. “Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. Looking at the pool floor below, then to the float right in front of me, I was terrified. What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if my nose filled with water? What if I didn’t have autism? This, ultimately, is the real question. If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest but to also be working locally. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship. One lesson has always come through from all of these experiences: You never know what will happen until you just jump in. I did eventually jump in the pool that day. Exhilaration is the only way to describe how I felt as the cool water surrounded me. Now, whenever I face a challenge, I think of that day and let my sense of accomplishment guide me. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “Who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

Imagine if you will, a beautiful summer's day. The sound of birds is muffled by the squeals of delight from the small group of children racing their bikes up and down their grandparent's driveway. Suddenly, one of the children's squeals of delight becomes cries of pain. "Shake it off, Cam. You are okay. Just get up and shake it off." The little boy that had fallen off his bike and into the bushes proceeded to get up off the ground and gyrate as if dancing. His cries subsided as laughter took over and he danced and shook his way back to his bike, hopped on, and raced away. If you haven't guessed it already, that little boy was me. After that day, the phrase "shake it off" became my motto and mantra whenever I was faced with a difficult challenge or upset. When I got older, the song "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift was what I listened to when I needed to pick myself up and move forward despite a letdown or upset. I would put on my headphones, crank up the tune, and dance my way to feeling okay again. The phrase "Shake It Off" is my motivation to keep pushing despite the challenges I face daily. Despite the challenges presented by the recent pandemic, this has been one of the most powerful times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information; and to communicate effectively. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. The pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my decision to major in a STEM field much more deliberate and thoughtful. The pandemic also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess to be successful. One must learn to "shake it off". People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “shake it off" moment but with my determination, I’ve never let that stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I was provided an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I in my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the internship. I am excited about this opportunity to begin work in my field of interest and to be working locally. Taylor Swift's song "Shake It Off" has been a part of every one of my successes, and I hope to continue to shake and dance my way to success.

A few weeks ago, I got two failing notices for the second semester. I was struggling. Because I have always been a high-achieving student, it came as quite a surprise to everyone who was supporting me: my parents, my coaches, my professors, and even me. My first reaction was to hide; I ignored all texts, emails, and phone calls from everyone concerned about my mental health. Eventually, I realized I could not hide forever, so I answered my phone one afternoon. It was my coach, "Cam, I am worried. Please come to my office and let's talk." I agreed. You see, it was that phone call that put me on a path to maintaining my mental health. Fast forward to the present, and I am on a positive path, moving forward in my academics and my emotional wellness. The journey has not been easy; as a matter of fact, it has been one of the most challenging times in my short life. Mental wellness is vital to success; ignoring one's mental state can have detrimental impacts. I believe success in life's pursuits, whether they be academic, career, or relationship focused, is dependent on one's mental well-being. I did not fully understand this truth until I had my own mental health crisis. When I was in the midst of my mental low, I could not eat, sleep, or concentrate. Mental health is absolutely connected to physical health. Without a healthy mental state, how can one thrive? Now, moving forward, I am taking steps to maintain my positive state of mind. I have surrounded myself with support in the form of academic coaches and social workers. Instead of isolating myself in my dorm room, I am reaching out and joining clubs so I can stay connected to people. Most importantly, I am accepting help and ask for help when I need it. As a result of these things, I am finding myself feeling hopeful. I can focus on my work and do what needs to be done. A focus on mental health has also afforded me new opportunities to connect with others on campus. I am excited about college again; I am excited about my learning, my future, and my potential. I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Although this mental health struggle has been a challenge, it has helped me develop a better understanding of the role mental health plays in our lives. It has also provided me with more empathy for those who struggle with mental health. As I continue to learn and grow as a person, I hope I can look back on this important lesson life has taught me; and I hope that I can pay it forward by helping others who may face similar challenges.

A few weeks ago, I got two failing notices for the second semester. I was struggling. Because I have always been a high-achieving student, It came as quite a surprise to everyone who was supporting me: my parents, my coaches, my professors, and even me. My first reaction was to hide; I ignored all texts, emails, and phone calls from everyone concerned about my mental health. Eventually, I realized I could not hide forever, so I answered my phone one afternoon. It was my coach, "Cam, I am worried. Please come to my office and let's talk." I agreed. You see, it was that phone call that put me on a path to maintaining my mental health. Fast forward to the present, and I am on a positive path, moving forward in my academics and my emotional wellness. The journey has not been easy; as a matter of fact, it has been one of the most challenging times in my short life. Mental wellness is vital to success; ignoring one's mental state can have detrimental impacts. I believe success in life's pursuits, whether they be academic, career, or relationship focused, is dependent on one's mental well-being. I did not fully understand this truth until I had my own mental health crisis. When I was in the midst of my mental low, I could not eat, sleep, or concentrate. Mental health is absolutely connected to physical health. Without a healthy mental state, how can one thrive? Now, moving forward, I am taking steps to maintain my positive state of mind. I have surrounded myself with support in the form of academic coaches and social workers. Instead of isolating myself in my dorm room, I am reaching out and joining clubs so I can stay connected to people. Most importantly, I am accepting help and ask for help when I need it. As a result of these things, I am finding myself feeling hopeful. I can focus on my work and do what needs to be done. A focus on mental health has also afforded me new opportunities to connect with others on campus. I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Although this mental health struggle has been a challenge, it has helped me develop a better understanding of the role mental health plays in our lives. It has also provided me with more empathy for those who struggle with mental health. As I continue to learn and grow as a person, I hope I can look back on this important lesson life has taught me; and I hope that I can pay it forward by helping others who may face similar challenges.

Despite the challenges presented by the recent pandemic, this has been one of the most powerful times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information; and to communicate effectively. When the pandemic started, we were sent into isolation for many weeks with very little contact outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. The pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my decision to major in a STEM field much more deliberate and thoughtful. The pandemic also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess in order to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest, but to also be working locally. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship.

A few weeks ago, I got two failing notices for the second semester. I was struggling. Because I have always been a high-achieving student, It came as quite a surprise to everyone who was supporting me: my parents, my coaches, my professors, and even me. My first reaction was to hide; I ignored all texts, emails, and phone calls from everyone concerned about my mental health. Eventually, I realized I could not hide forever, so I answered my phone one afternoon. It was my coach, "Cam, I am worried. Please come to my office and let's talk." I agreed. You see, it was that phone call that put me on a path to maintaining my mental health. Fast forward to the present, and I am on a positive path, moving forward in my academics and my emotional wellness. The journey has not been easy; as a matter of fact, it has been one of the most challenging times in my short life. Mental wellness is vital to success; ignoring one's mental state can have detrimental impacts. I believe success in life's pursuits, whether they be academic, career, or relationship focused, is dependent on one's mental well-being. I did not fully understand this truth until I had my own mental health crisis. When I was in the midst of my mental low, I could not eat, sleep, or concentrate. Mental health is absolutely connected to physical health. Without a healthy mental state, how can one thrive? Now, moving forward, I am taking steps to maintain my positive state of mind. I have surrounded myself with support in the form of academic coaches and social workers. Instead of isolating myself in my dorm room, I am reaching out and joining clubs so I can stay connected to people. Most importantly, I am accepting help and ask for help when I need it. As a result of these things, I am finding myself feeling hopeful. I can focus on my work and do what needs to be done. A focus on mental health has also afforded me new opportunities to connect with others on campus. I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Although this mental health struggle has been a challenge, it has helped me develop a better understanding of the role mental health plays in our lives. It has also provided me with more empathy for those who struggle with mental health. As I continue to learn and grow as a person, I hope I can look back on this important lesson life has taught me; and I hope that I can pay it forward by helping others who may face similar challenges.

Despite the challenges presented by the recent pandemic, this has been one of the most powerful times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information; and to communicate effectively. When the pandemic started, we were sent into isolation for many weeks with very little contact outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. The pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my decision to major in a STEM field much more deliberate and thoughtful. The pandemic also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior-level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest but to also be working locally. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. In 2013, my parents were finally allowed to be married - I have two moms. All my successes are a result of their tireless support. They are wonderful parents who model responsibility, honesty, and fortitude in the face of inequities and injustice. I share their passion for equal treatment for all. What I find most incredible is that my parents harbor no ill will toward their country despite being prohibited from accessing all the same opportunities as heterosexuals. Standing up for what is right is important to me because of their modeling. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest, but to also be working locally. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. Many minorites are often targets of these types of attacks. It would be my goal to make sure all of our citizens are protected and treated equally. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. Although that does not necessarily make me unique, my response to it does. I do really well in school, and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Many students on the autism spectrum rely on extra educational support to find success in school. Not me. I am quite proud of my efforts to carve a path to success through my own grit and determination. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Generally, internships are reserved for junior and senior level students; however, because of my high school accomplishments and advanced studies, I was offered the opportunity to intern at Tyler Technologies. I am very excited to have this opportunity to not only begin work in my field of interest but to also be working locally. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. It is for this reason that I believe I deserve this scholarship.

1a) What does “influence” mean to you? Influence is a powerful force because to influence someone or something means creating change. The change as a result of the influence has ripple effects, leading to larger changes. One person's influence on another can potentially change the world. 1b) How do you influence those around you? I ask questions; I wonder; I challenge; I create; I learn; I laugh. 2) Describe a time where you have overcome adversity, or how you are currently dealing with a hardship. Surely I was ready…. My goggles were secured on my face to protect my eyes and nose, forming an impenetrable barrier. A large, black round pool float surrounded my lower body to keep me from going under. Arm floats were tight around my scrawny arms in case I slipped through the float’s hole. Looking at the pool floor below, I was terrified. What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if I didn’t have autism? This, ultimately, is the real question. If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school and participate in my community. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to encounter so many challenges similar to when I had to jump in the pool. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. The “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers. 3a) What field are you currently in or planning to go into? My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. 3b) Why did you choose this field, and what are your goals within it? I want to be part of this field. I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. 4) What would receiving this scholarship mean to you? My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

A few weeks ago, I got two failing notices for the second semester. I was struggling. Because I have always been a high-achieving student, It came as quite a surprise to everyone who was supporting me: my parents, my coaches, my professors, and even me. My first reaction was to hide; I ignored all texts, emails, and phone calls from everyone concerned about my mental health. Eventually, I realized I could not hide forever, so I answered my phone one afternoon. It was my coach, "Cam, I am worried. Please come to my office and let's talk." I agreed. You see, it was that phone call that put me on a path to maintaining my mental health. Fast forward to the present, and I am on a positive path, moving forward in my academics and my emotional wellness. The journey has not been easy; as a matter of fact, it has been one of the most challenging times in my short life. Mental wellness is vital to success; ignoring one's mental state can have detrimental impacts. I believe success in life's pursuits, whether they be academic, career, or relationship focused, is dependent on one's mental well-being. I did not fully understand this truth until I had my own mental health crisis. When I was in the midst of my mental low, I could not eat, sleep, or concentrate. Mental health is absolutely connected to physical health. Without a healthy mental state, how can one thrive? Now, moving forward, I am taking steps to maintain my positive state of mind. I have surrounded myself with support in the form of academic coaches and social workers. Instead of isolating myself in my dorm room, I am reaching out and joining clubs so I can stay connected to people. Most importantly, I am accepting help and ask for help when I need it. As a result of these things, I am finding myself feeling hopeful. I can focus on my work and do what needs to be done. A focus on mental health has also afforded me new opportunities to connect with others on campus. I am a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. Although this mental health struggle has been a challenge, it has helped me develop a better understanding of the role mental health plays in our lives. It has also provided me with more empathy for those who struggle with mental health. As I continue to learn and grow as a person, I hope I can look back on this important lesson life has taught me; and I hope that I can pay it forward by helping others who may face similar challenges.

Despite the challenges presented by the recent pandemic, this has been one of the most powerful times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information; and to communicate effectively. When the pandemic started, we were sent into isolation for many weeks with very little contact outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. The pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my decision to major in a STEM field much more deliberate and thoughtful. The pandemic also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do well in school and stay involved in activities such as Cross Country and the Thomas Leadership Academy. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. My experience at this school presented me with several project opportunities. Through my studies, I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I have competed at the state and national levels for the Skills USA Cybersecurity competition. Currently, I am preparing for my second semester at Thomas College where I will be carrying an advanced course load focused on computer science. Additionally, I have been hired by Tyler Technologies as a Technology Support Intern for the summer of 2023. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil.

Those who serve in the military are heroes; without a doubt. I am fortunate to not only be the son of a veteran but my grandfather and great-grandfathers all served their country, as well. I have grown up hearing stories about the honor of serving one's country. As a result, I spent much of my high school career honoring those who served by volunteering to play Taps at military services and parades, participating in local community service projects to benefit veterans, and creating service projects to thank veterans for their service. Although I chose not to go into the military, I still have aspirations to be heroic and serve my country in other ways. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats but also the national implications of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. One of my goals would be to create a company that helps veterans protect themselves from cyber criminals. I hope to provide free education about digital security and to provide free computer security services to veterans. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am currently attending Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar. I am working towards my Bachelors's and Masters's Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals. My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will positively impact others, and my exemplification of the most important value: honor for service. My family's military experiences have impacted my choices significantly; I hope my choices and career path help me become heroic just as my veteran family members have been.

Generational Wealth is essential for our future. I feel it is a parent's responsibility to make responsible financial decisions and be good financial role models for their children. Generational wealth is the result of careful financial planning and instilling life-long financial lessons that our children follow. First off, my house will be paid off at age 40. Because I am choosing to budget and watch my cash outflow by using defensive spending in terms of mortgage payments, food spending, car payments, and entertainment, my overall net worth will continue to grow because I will have money to put in investment and savings accounts. With the choices I made in terms of investments, having a 401K and a traditional IRA will reduce my tax liability, thus helping me have more liquidity. Although I will have to pay taxes on withdrawals from those investments, the benefits of deferring those taxes over the long term outweigh the downside. By age 45, I would hope to have a family, with children. If I am continuing to use defensive spending strategies and focus my goals on building wealth, I should have enough liquidity and assets to help my children attend college. Once I do have children, I would use the Coverdell Savings option, as well as other savings plans, to help my children with their schooling. At age 25, my portfolio, a mix of various types of investments, would reflect a higher investment in common stocks. I am also a firm believer in the “buy and hold” strategy; hopefully a good mix of various types of assets will pay off. This would also be the ideal time to use the concept of Discounting, a method used to “determine how much money to deposit/invest to obtain a specified value in the future”. Because this is “an excellent tool for retirement planning”, I would use this concept to help plan for my next stages of life. At age 45, I would absolutely need to adjust my investments in common stock to protect my assets and minimize my risk. In terms of quality of life at age 45; I would have a home, a family, vehicles, the ability to travel (within reason), and significant liquidity. All of these factors lead to a comfortable life at age 45 - a good balance of needs versus wants. Once I reach age 65, I can then plan on my retirement. Social security is not a means to retirement; it is limited. Because I will have significant investments (starting at age 25), my retirement should be comfortable. I will not have a mortgage! Hopefully I will have been mortgage free for several years and saved more money in investments. At age 65, reflection on my investments would be necessary. Perhaps this would be the time I would take a closer look at annuities as another form of investment; although, I anticipate annuities being part of my investment strategy well before age 65. Because I have to start drawing on my accounts at age 72, planning for retirement is essential. At age 65, social security will be part of my reality in terms of whether I draw from it or not at age 67. My health and other factors will help me make this determination. I will also have a medicare decisions to be making. All of my decisions at age 25 in terms of investing, spending, and saving will impact my life at age 65. With careful planning, as outlined in my decisions, I feel as though my quality of life will be excellent at age 65.

Despite the challenges presented by the recent pandemic, this has been one of the most powerful times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information; and to communicate effectively. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. The pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. It also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess in order to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, and hold a full time job. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I feel I am the best candidate for this scholarship because, like Mr. Jackson, I, too, am working to pay my way through college. Nothing brings me greater satisfaction than knowing that I am working hard to earn my degree so that my future in computer technology can become a reality.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, participate in leadership programs, and run for the Thomas College cross country and indoor/outdoor track team. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I am passionate about cybersecurity and computer science- it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. I also had the opportunity to compete in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta in June 2022, placing 12th in the nation. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future computer science career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. Since a young age, veterans have been important to me. My grandfather is a disable Air Force Veteran, and my adoptive mother is also an Air Force Veteran. Since my 9th grade year of high school, veterans have been important to all my community service endeavors. I have visited veteran nursing homes to play music, created and implemented service projects to thank veterans, as well as created a holiday veterans project, writing holiday messages for every patient at a veterans hospice. As a tribute to veterans, I also play Taps at various ceremonies and local events. Although I am not a member of the armed services, it is imperative for me to express my heartfelt appreciation and thanks whenever I am able. Their service affords me the opportunity to pursue my passions, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that, in fact, I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. It also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess in order to be successful. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. I have been accepted to Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar. I will be working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals.My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance.

Surely I was ready…. My goggles were secured on my face, forming an impenetrable barrier. A large, black pool float surrounded my lower body to keep me from going under. Arm floats were tight around my scrawny arms in case I slipped through the float’s hole. “Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. Looking at the pool floor below, I was terrified. But what if? What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if I didn’t have autism? This, ultimately, is the real question. If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to encounter challenges similar to when I had to jump in the pool - anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers. Surprisingly, I don’t think my parents knew what they were doing when they bought me my first computer, but that first computer sparked my curiosity. There is nothing like the satisfaction of feeling components snap together, the hum of exhaust fans blowing the heat away, the perfect sight of mesmerizing RGB lights spinning in unison. Consequently, I watch videos about how to build computers and reviews about tech products. I love to take apart and tinker with computer parts to see how they work. I love experimenting with programming, and creating friendships online from all over the world. Computers have become a life changer for me. Over the years, I’ve always wanted to build my own computer but was held back by lack of knowledge and uncertainty. The challenge was overcoming my hesitation and “diving in” to a computer rebuild. I think my parents panicked when I told them I was going to rebuild my computer. "What do you mean you are taking apart your computer? Do you know what you are doing? What if you damage your computer?" "I know I can do it," I confidently replied. I had researched, watched videos, and asked questions. I was ready to jump in. My mom then offered to let me use her sewing room to set everything up. From taking the graphics card, storage drives, and motherboard out of my old case, I was able to move it to the new one, and install a new cooler, power supply, and fans. I did get interrupted by cross country practices, but that taught me to be a bit more patient in the process. After I was finished, I did a test boot and was successful on the first try! This success has further fueled my goals to work in the area of computers and cybersecurity. I did eventually take the leap and jump in the pool. Exhilaration was how I felt as the cool water surrounded me. Now, whenever I face a challenge, I think of that day and let my sense of accomplishment guide me. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. It also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess in order to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they were not impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Thankfully, this has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - my future career goals are to seek out cyber crime. Technology is advancing every day, and in the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am passionate about cybersecurity. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Currently, I am studying for my PenTest certification, and after high school graduation, I am competing in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta. As an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar at Thomas College, I will be working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I hope that anyone facing challenges and adversity can have that same mindful approach to persevering. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Currently, I am studying for my PenTest certification, and after high school graduation, I am competing in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta. I have been accepted to Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar. I will be working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals.My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I hope that anyone facing challenges and adversity can have that same mindful approach to persevering. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - my future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Currently, I am studying for my PenTest certification, and after high school graduation, I am competing in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta. I have been accepted to Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar. I will be working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals.My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I hope that anyone facing challenges and adversity can have that same mindful approach to persevering. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes - to persevere so that good overcomes evil. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I had the opportunity to choose my pathway for the rest of my high school career. I was presented an opportunity to attend Portland Arts and Technology High School as a cybersecurity student. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Currently, I am studying for my PenTest certification, and after high school graduation, I am competing in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta. I have been accepted to Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar. I will be working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. Although I have received some scholarship money from the school, my family's expected contribution is not feasible. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals.My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

COVID, the dreaded word. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient, to ask thoughtful questions, to be an informed consumer of information, to effectively communicate; most importantly, however, I have learned sense of self. When the pandemic started, we were sent into isolation for many weeks with very little contact outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that, in fact, I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. It also helped me to understand that perseverance in the face of challenges is one of the most crucial values one must possess in order to be successful. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. I hope that anyone facing challenges and adversity can have that same mindful approach to persevering. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. I am passionate about cybersecurity - it has been a focus of study for me since my junior year of high school. Through my studies I have earned two professional certifications through CompTIA, and I am the SkillsUSA Maine Gold Medal Champion for Cybersecurity. Currently, I am studying for my PenTest certification, and after high school graduation, I am competing in the National SkillsUSA Cybersecurity competition in Atlanta. I have been accepted to Thomas College as an accelerated Kiest Morgan Scholar working towards my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Cybersecurity as part of this program. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way, and my exemplification of the most important value - perseverance. Thank you for your consideration.

The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future. The pandemic has taught me that I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I need to work with others. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals. I have been accepted to Thomas College, but my family's expected contribution is not feasible. My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years. I feel that I am deserving of this scholarship because of my commitment to my future academic achievements, my passion for my future career goals, and my desire to pursue a career that will impact others in a positive way. Thank you for your consideration.

Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. Because I pursued my passion instead of allowing others to prescribe my path, I know my future is bright and I will make an impact. Educational institutions need to adopt a positive and more inclusive approach to preparing students for their next steps. "You are a college bound student. Going to vocational school is really not an option for you." That was the advice I received my 10th grade year of high school. Thankfully, I had parents who supported my decision to go against tradition and attend a cybersecurity program at a vocational high school. That decision propelled me towards a future that not only excites me but brings me great joy. Students need options, regardless of academic ability. Pushing students towards traditional courses of study because they are a certain "type" of student needs to change; one of the most impactful decisions of my high school career was choosing to combine both highly academic courses designed for students entering a 4-year college program with a vocational based cybersecurity program. Not only have I earned many college credits in my dual enrollment courses, but through my study of cybersecurity, I have achieved a professional certification as an entry level cybersecurity specialist. Both "tracks" of study have provided me with options and opportunities that I would not have if I had chosen one course of study over another. Future generations need to learn to be flexible, not only in their thinking, but in their skill-sets. The idea of being well-rounded means more than just being active in one's school and community. Students need to understand that their educational experience should also be well-rounded. This concept needs to be supported by high school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors. Parents need to know what is available for their students, and the negative stigma of choosing a vocation rather than a 4-year degree needs to change.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot and shift. Despite the challenges presented daily, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, we were sent into isolation for many weeks with very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. Initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. However, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

The Internet and World Wide Web has influenced daily lives for communication and workflow. Unfortunately, this has also allowed a new, dangerous form of crime: cyber crime. Graham Day in Security in the Digital World : For the home user, parent, consumer and home office, states “Cyber crime allows anyone to become a criminal: The computer gives them a shield to hide behind, and gives them the means to attack without being seen or heard, and without being near the victim or having any connection to the victim” (Day 32). This is what makes cyber crime increasingly dangerous. Some people confuse cyber crime with hacking; however, although somewhat related, they differ in several key areas. Accordingly, Day continues to explain “Hackers use their knowledge to find vulnerabilities or weaknesses in computer systems and then try to fix them. Hackers in the truest form are ethical hackers: they are available for hire to attack a computer system or network to test the security in place so that the organisation can improve it” (Day 33). While hacking refers to finding vulnerabilities, hacking involves fixing the vulnerabilities or reporting them. However, Day further explains, “Crackers use their knowledge for their own benefit or gain” (Day 33), meaning some people will find vulnerabilities and exploit them to their advantage. Most people commonly believe they only need to avoid clicking on suspicious links or files from untrustworthy sites in order to stay safe. However, that is not the case, as the complexity of the issue reaches beyond avoiding suspicious programs and links. Not only can cyber crime affect small users at home or small companies, but also can heavily impact large organizations. Therefore, awareness and education about the impacts and dangers of cyber threats is necessary so people understand the damage cyber crime can impose on companies and at-home users, the damage cyber crime can inflict on a company's reputation, and the damage from cyber crime that is easily preventable with more knowledge. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

I will never forget the first time I got money as a birthday gift. It was my eighth birthday, and it seemed that all my family and friends decided that money was the perfect gift for me that year. After my birthday party had ended and I began to count my gifted money, my mother pulled me aside and explained that I should save as much of my money as possible for things that I needed, not just wanted. Of course, as an eight-year-old, it is fairly difficult to discern want from need; however, as I have gotten older and started earning money from my job, I find myself reflecting on my mother's advice. When I look at my paycheck, instead of imagining what I will be spending it on, instead, I ask myself, "do I really need it?" That has been my guiding question as I move closer to being an adult. Now, with college in the not too distant future, I can proudly say that I have saved enough to help contribute to my own education and not rely solely on my parents. Hopefully, as I continue on to adulthood, my mother's advice will continue to guide me as I make more financial decisions.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that, in fact, I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals. I have been accepted to Thomas College, but my family's expected contribution is not feasible. My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years.

“Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. I was terrified. What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if I didn’t have autism? If I didn’t have autism, would I jump in? I’ve had to encounter many challenges similar to when I jumped in the pool. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has led me to my passion for computers. Over the years, I’ve always wanted to build my own computer but was held back by lack of knowledge and uncertainty. The challenge was overcoming my hesitation and “diving" into a computer rebuild. From taking the graphics card, storage drives, and motherboard out of my old case, I was able to move it to the new one, and install a new cooler, power supply, and fans. After I was finished, I did a test boot and was successful on the first try! This success has further fueled my goals to work in the area of computers and cybersecurity. One lesson has always come through from all of these experiences: You never know what will actually happen until you just jump in. I did eventually take the leap and jump in the pool that day. Exhilaration is the only way to describe how I felt as the cool water surrounded me. Now, whenever I face a challenge, I think of that day and let my sense of accomplishment guide me. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent into isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that, in fact, I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision. People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. Although these accomplishments have been challenging, they have not been impossible. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. This scholarship will help me pursue my academic and professional goals. I have been accepted to Thomas College, but my family's expected contribution is not feasible. My parents have supported my every interest; earning this scholarship will show them my appreciation for their support over the years.

Cybersecurity superhero - that is what I want my title to be. My future career goals are to seek out cyber crime and prevent it from happening. Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes.

Technology is advancing every day, and we must be ready for what is next. In the cybersecurity field; we must be ready for persistent threats by setting up prevention and detection systems to mitigate attacks. I want to be part of this field and I know I will be successful because I am passionate about digital security and safety. I understand not only the local threats, but also the national implications of cyber crime. Cyber criminals are smart; we, as the safety net, must work to be smarter. It is my goal to become smarter than cyber criminals and prevent them from harming others. Whether I am working at a local company or for the government, my professional goals center around stopping cyber crimes. I intend to be a cybersecurity super hero.

I love to play Minecraft! Yes, I know, I should have outgrown that stage of my life. However, what people don't know about Minecraft is that it is a wonderful community of players from all over the globe. As I have gotten older, my focus and method of play have changed. When I was younger, it was all about the game, building worlds, conquering levels. Now, I am more interested in working with others to play. However, the online gaming community is not always a safe place to be, especially when a person is on the autism spectrum. It is quite easy to get bullied or taken advantage of during game play. As my game play has progressed, I have shifted my focus to the community and making it a safe place for others. I often spend many evenings monitoring host servers for younger players - keeping the game play clean, safe, and welcoming to all. One of my favorite parts of the game is the time that I spend helping younger players learn how to progress in their skill, but also in helping them learn to be responsible players. As I look at my future career path as a cybersecurity expert, I can see how valuable my acts of service to the gaming community have been for me, as well. My role as a mentor in the game has led me to be more skilled in communication, but also more skilled in detecting problems within the game and within the community. I am excited about how this skill will continue to help me as I gain more knowledge and expertise in the computing world. This is how I will leave my mark on the world.

I love to play Minecraft! Yes, I know, I should have outgrown that stage of my life. However, what people don't know about Minecraft is that it is a wonderful community of players from all over the globe. As I have gotten older, my focus and method of play have changed. When I was younger, it was all about the game, building worlds, conquering levels. Now, I am more interested in working with others to play. However, the online gaming community is not always a safe place to be, especially when a person is on the autism spectrum. It is quite easy to get bullied or taken advantage of during game play. As my game play has progressed, I have shifted my focus to the community and making it a safe place for others. I often spend many evenings monitoring host servers for younger players - keeping the game play clean, safe, and welcoming to all. One of my favorite parts of the game is the time that I spend helping younger players learn how to progress in their skill, but also in helping them learn to be responsible players. As I look at my future career path as a cybersecurity expert, I can see how valuable my acts of service to the gaming community have been for me, as well. My role as a mentor in the game has led me to be more skilled in communication, but also more skilled in detecting problems within the game and within the community. I am excited about how this skill will continue to help me as I gain more knowledge and expertise in the computing world.

COVID, the dreaded word. The pandemic has forced us to pivot, shift, and pivot again. Despite the challenges presented on a daily basis, this has been one of the most powerful and influential times in my short life. I have learned to be resilient; I have learned to ask thoughtful questions; I have learned to be an informed consumer of information; I have learned how to communicate more effectively; most importantly, however, I have learned a sense of self. When the pandemic started, my school went fully remote. We were sent in to isolation for many weeks, and we had very little contact with others outside our own homes. Although I found this to be comforting at the onset, as time went on, I grew restless. I learned what I wanted in my future; initially, I thought I might thrive in a job where I could work in isolation. The pandemic has taught me that, in fact, I do not want to be isolated. Despite my initial beliefs about myself, I do need to work with others. For me, the pandemic helped me see what I wanted for my future and made my college major a much more thoughtful decision.

“Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. What if I drowned? What if I swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if I didn’t have autism? If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? People always act a bit surprised when they find out I have autism. I do really well in school, play the trumpet in the high school band, run for the cross country and outdoor track teams, participate in NHS, go to summer camp, and hold a full time job. I’ve had to encounter so many challenges similar to when I had to jump in the pool. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers. I don’t think my parents knew what they were doing when they bought me my first computer, but that first computer sparked my curiosity and become a life changer for me. Over the years, I’ve always wanted to build my own computer, but was held back by lack of knowledge and uncertainty. I made any last minute searches for anything I would need to do before taking apart and rebuilding the computer. From taking the graphics card, storage drives, and motherboard out of my old case, I was able to move it to the new one, and install a new cooler, power supply, and fans. After I was finished, I did a test boot. Success! One lesson resonates from these experiences: You never know what will happen until you jump in. So, maybe the real question is “who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

I don't have many friends; as a person with autism, friendships can be challenging. However, friendship and companionship are essential for one's success and happiness. So, how have I made friendship a priority? I have sought out ways to make friends within my own community; meaning, I have harnessed my online community to learn how to make and keep friends. Over the last several years I have learned that friendship means more than just names on a social media list; real friends are those you can count on to help you - and real friends come to you for help, as well. Friendship means having people that know when to surround you with love and compassion and when to leave you in quiet and peace. Without friends, one has no means to grow as a person. Friendship means honesty with one's self and with others. Being a friend means taking risks with honest feedback; being a friend means accepting feedback with an open mind. Friendship is also being part of a team or a community. One can have a large social network because of various memberships and interests - through sports, clubs, or groups. Friendship has forced me to learn how to be social; learning to have friends and be a friend has been a pivotal factor in my success thus far. To me, friendship, although challenging, has been a risk worth taking as the rewards have far exceeded any losses.

Surely I was ready.... My goggles were secured on my face to protect my eyes and nose, forming an impenetrable barrier. A large, black round pool float surrounded my lower body to keep me from going under. Arm floats were tight around my scrawny arms in case I slipped through the float’s hole. “Jump in!” My cousins shouted, bobbing up and down. Looking at the pool floor below, then to the float right in front of me, I was terrified. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But what if? What if I drowned? Swallowed the water? What if water got in my eyes? What if I didn’t have autism? This, ultimately, is the real question. If I didn’t have autism, would I just jump in? I’ve had to encounter so many challenges similar to when I had to jump in the pool. I’ve had to overcome anxiety with presentations, interviews, and building computers. Every single situation had a “what if” question, but with my own determination, I’ve never let that question stop me. Thankfully, the “what if” question has also led me to my passion for computers. Over the years, I’ve always wanted to build my own computer, but was held back by lack of knowledge and uncertainty. I think my parents panicked when I told them I was going to rebuild my computer. I had researched, watched videos, and asked questions. I was ready to jump in. One lesson has always come through from all of these experiences: You never know what will actually happen until you just jump in. So maybe the question isn’t “if I didn’t have autism, would I jump in?” Maybe the real question is “who would I be if I didn’t have autism?” I don’t think I want to find out.

TAPS is the song that most inspires me; as a trumpet player, it was one of the songs that I always wanted to have the responsibility to play at our veteran assemblies. Usually, the honor went to the senior members of the band. As an underclassman, I had aspirations to play TAPS to honor my grandfather and mother - both veterans of the Air Force. I practiced the song religiously, even asking for the opportunity to play it every evening during my summer camp experiences just so I could improve my technique and prepare to play at it other important venues. Finally, my opportunity to play TAPS came; I was asked to play at the 9/11 memorial service at our school to honor one of our own who died in the Pentagon attack. Humbled by this moment, I played my very best to not only honor Commander Schelgal, but to honor all those lost on that day. TAPS is, in my eyes, one of the most inspiring songs because it asks the listener to remember what was lost, but to also remember what is important in our lives.

If I were a highly influential figure, I would stand for truth. Our world today hides the truth; we must be the seekers of truth to be better informed and highly productive citizens. All of my life I have struggled with being on the autism spectrum. People don't know how to interpret my quirks, but I have strived to help people know my truth so that others like me can succeed. Just because people are different, does not make them unworthy of belonging. It has been my passion to show people my truth - and to see the truth- so that other students with disabilities can also be given the same opportunities. I am a quirky computer geek - that is my truth. But, I am also a musician, a writer, and one who helps others. Those qualities are often hidden by my quirks, but if people take the time to see me, they will know my truth. My goal in life - aside from pursuing a career in computers - is to show people that despite challenges and difficulties, you can be you and show your truth to others.