When I was 10, I went to a Girls Who Code event. I got to try coding for the first time, and from there, I was hooked. Now I am 17; I have the opportunity to create my own coding project, and the passion is still there. I enjoy the struggle I face solving my compiler issues and the feeling of accomplishment once I solve them. I want to study computer science because of how limitless it is. I grew up with a family that taught me to love learning, and Computer Science builds on my love for learning because there are so many things you can learn about the field. Each task you wish to accomplish has an endless number of solutions of varying complexity, and it's up to you to figure out the best way to complete that task in a code that is your own. There is always something new when coding, whether it's a new programming language, method, or variable. Sometimes it can be daunting when faced with a new subject, but it's a challenge that I am always excited to try to take on. I look forward to using what I learn in computer science to work on projects that I believe would help other people. Projects such as developing software that could scan music and color coordinate each note to make it not only easier but more enjoyable for dyslexic musicians to learn music. Or I would want to create something that lets kids relate to the various struggles I know I faced and allow them to feel seen and heard in the tech field. Beyond my passion projects, I also want to be an advocate within the STEM field, especially in computer science. I am passionate about advocacy for minorities in STEM, particularly black women in STEM, and I plan to help increase diversity. Throughout my experience in computer science, I have often felt pretty isolated. Whether it was in clubs, classes, or volunteering, I often found myself one of the only African American students, if not the only African American student, in every activity I participated in. Beyond my frustrations of feeling left out, the lack of African American women in the STEM field is a problem for society. The lack of diversity means that less is technology targeted specifically or even considers African-American people in its design. And the lack of support within the STEM field makes it less likely for black women to pursue it as a career. Making African American women feel more welcome in the stem field will be a slow process, and because we are still at the beginning of it, my job is to help build the foundation. During my time in high school, I was frustrated with the lack of space for African Americans in the STEM program. However, now I feel guilty for not creating that space myself. I plan to support current Black coders by being there and being a familiar face, introducing young black girls to the concept of computer science, and being able to continue supporting women in stem clubs and helping to create a space for black women as well. I would want to advocate for all the various things that make me who I am and teach other younger kids that they can be African-American and can be a woman and still do the things they love. I want to make STEM more welcoming as a whole, and I will begin with my community.

When I was 10, I went to a Girls Who Code event. I got to try coding for the first time, and from there, I was hooked. Now I am 17; I have the opportunity to create my own coding project, and the passion is still there. I enjoy the struggle I face solving my compiler issues and the feeling of accomplishment once I solve them. I want to study computer science because of how limitless it is. I grew up with a family that taught me to love learning, and Computer Science builds on my love for learning because there are so many things you can learn about the field. Each task you wish to accomplish has an endless number of solutions of varying complexity, and it's up to you to figure out the best way to complete that task in a code that is your own. There is always something new when coding, whether it's a new programming language, method, or variable. Sometimes it can be daunting when faced with a new subject, but it's a challenge that I am always excited to try to take on. I look forward to using what I learn in computer science to work on projects that I believe would help other people. Projects such as developing software that could scan music and color coordinate each note to make it not only easier but more enjoyable for dyslexic musicians to learn music. Or I would want to create something that lets kids relate to the various struggles I know I faced and allow them to feel seen and heard in the tech field. Beyond my passion projects, I also want to be an advocate within the STEM field, especially in computer science. I am passionate about advocacy for minorities in STEM, particularly black women in STEM, and I plan to help increase diversity. Throughout my experience in computer science, I have often felt pretty isolated. Whether it was in clubs, classes, or volunteering, I often found myself one of the only African American students, if not the only African American student, in every activity I participated in. Beyond my frustrations of feeling left out, the lack of African American women in the STEM field is a problem for society. The lack of diversity means that less is technology targeted specifically or even considers African-American people in its design. And the lack of support within the STEM field makes it less likely for black women to pursue it as a career. Making African American women feel more welcome in the stem field will be a slow process, and because we are still at the beginning of it, my job is to help build the foundation. During my time in high school, I was frustrated with the lack of space for African Americans in the STEM program. However, now I feel guilty for not creating that space myself. I plan to support current Black coders by being there and being a familiar face, introducing young black girls to the concept of computer science, and being able to continue supporting women in stem clubs and helping to create a space for black women as well. I would want to advocate for all the various things that make me who I am and teach other younger kids that they can be African-American and can be a woman and still do the things they love. I want to make STEM more welcoming as a whole, and I will begin with my community.