Growing up in Sylacauga, Alabama, I witnessed firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community. My personal experiences with mental health have significantly shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world. Losing my father to gun violence was a traumatic event that deeply affected my mental health. Raised by a single mother, I had to navigate this loss while also coping with the challenges of growing up in a low-income community. These experiences taught me the importance of resilience and seeking support, even when it feels difficult. My journey with mental health has profoundly influenced my goals. I am pursuing a degree in Information Systems Management at Auburn University, maintaining a 3.88 GPA. After graduation, I plan to work in IT auditing with Ernst & Young before entering law school in 2027 to specialize in CyberSecurity Law. My goal is to protect individuals' privacy and security, ensuring that their personal information is safeguarded. This aspiration is driven by my understanding of how vital mental and emotional well-being is to overall security and privacy. In terms of relationships, my mental health journey has taught me the value of empathy and open communication. I have learned to be more understanding and supportive of others who are going through difficult times. By sharing my experiences and listening to others, I have built stronger and more meaningful connections with those around me. My understanding of the world has also been shaped by my experiences with mental health. I have come to realize the importance of trying to destigmatize mental health issues and promoting open dialogue. The silence and suppression of feelings only lead to more significant challenges later on. I am committed to advocating for mental health awareness and support within my community and beyond. Through my experiences, I have learned that mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being. It has shaped my goals, strengthened my relationships, and broadened my understanding of the world. I am dedicated to making a positive impact by promoting mental health awareness and supporting others in their journeys.

My faith has always been a cornerstone of my life, guiding me through various challenges and shaping my values and beliefs. Growing up in Sylacauga, Alabama, I faced many adversities, including losing my father to gun violence and being raised by a single mother in a low-income community. Despite these hardships, my Christian faith provided me with strength and hope. It taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and the sanctity of life. How do you actively live out your faith in your day-to-day life, particularly as it pertains to your support of Pro-Life? I actively live out my faith through daily prayers, attending church services, and participating in community outreach programs. My support for the pro-life movement is deeply rooted in my belief that every life is precious and deserves protection. I volunteer at local pregnancy centers, providing support and resources to expectant mothers. By offering a listening ear and practical assistance, I strive to help women choose life for their unborn children, just as Natalie Joy Poremski's mother did. How has your faith impacted your future goals and career path? My faith has significantly impacted my future goals and career path. As a student of Information Systems Management at Auburn University with a 3.88 GPA, I plan to work in IT auditing with Ernst & Young after graduation in May 2025. My ultimate goal is to enter law school in 2027 and specialize in CyberSecurity Law. My faith has instilled in me a strong sense of justice and the desire to protect others, particularly the most vulnerable in society. This has motivated me to pursue a career where I can make a meaningful difference. How do you plan to use your education to enact change and protect all stages of life? I plan to use my education to enact change by advocating for policies that protect life at all stages, from conception to natural death. In my future career as a lawyer specializing in CyberSecurity Law, I aim to protect individuals' privacy and security, ensuring that their personal information is safeguarded. Additionally, I intend to be involved in pro-life advocacy, using my legal expertise to support legislation that defends the unborn and provides resources for mothers in need. By combining my faith, education, and career aspirations, I hope to create a world where every life is valued and protected. The Natalie Joy Poremski Scholarship would help me achieve these goals and honor Natalie's memory by supporting my commitment to the pro-life cause.

Question 1: When do you plan to begin law school? If you are matriculating this Fall (August 2024), please list the law schools you have applied to and heard back from. If you have already placed a seat deposit at a particular school, please indicate so. I plan to begin law school in the Fall of 2027. Before that, I intend to leverage my undergraduate degree in Information Systems Management by working in IT auditing with Ernst & Young. This practical experience will not only enhance my understanding of cybersecurity but also solidify my foundation for a career in CyberSecurity Law. Question 2: How do you pursue learning and intellectual growth outside of formal education? Please provide examples of how this pursuit shaped your legal aspirations. Outside of formal education, I actively seek opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. One significant pursuit is learning Mandarin. This endeavor stems from my aspiration to practice law globally and engage with diverse cultures and legal systems. By immersing myself in a new language, I am developing not only linguistic skills but also a deeper appreciation for international perspectives. This dedication to learning Mandarin has shaped my legal aspirations by highlighting the importance of cross-cultural communication and understanding in the field of law. It has reinforced my desire to work in CyberSecurity Law on a global scale, where issues transcend national boundaries and require collaboration and mutual respect among different legal systems. Question 3: Describe a moment when you stood up for what was right despite facing opposition and/or knowing you would be negatively affected. How did you navigate the dilemma and what did you takeaway from the experience? During my junior year at Auburn University, I served as a representative on the student government’s technology committee. A proposal was introduced to implement a new software system that, while cost-effective, had significant privacy concerns for students' data. Despite the overwhelming support from other committee members, I opposed the proposal due to these privacy issues. Navigating this dilemma involved extensive research and preparation. I gathered evidence on the potential risks and presented alternative solutions that balanced cost and privacy. Although my stance was initially unpopular, my thorough and well-supported argument eventually convinced the committee to reconsider and opt for a more secure option. This experience taught me the importance of standing up for ethical principles, even when faced with opposition. It also highlighted the value of resilience and preparation in advocating for what is right. These lessons will undoubtedly guide me in my future legal career, particularly in the field of CyberSecurity Law, where ethical considerations are paramount. Question 4: Imagine you had the resources to create a philanthropic initiative. What cause would you support, and why? If I had the resources to create a philanthropic initiative, I would establish a foundation dedicated to promoting digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness in underserved communities. In our increasingly digital world, knowledge of cybersecurity is essential for protecting personal information and maintaining privacy. This initiative would provide free workshops, resources, and support to help individuals understand the importance of cybersecurity and how to protect themselves online. It would also offer scholarships and mentorship programs for students interested in pursuing careers in cybersecurity and related fields. By empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape safely, we can help bridge the digital divide and foster a more secure online environment for everyone. This cause is deeply personal to me, given my background in Information Systems Management and my commitment to advancing CyberSecurity Law.

Growing up in Sylacauga, Alabama, a low-income city, I have seen firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community. My family, like many others, has struggled silently, fearing judgment and misunderstanding. Raised by a single mother after losing my father to gun violence, I know the challenges of dealing with trauma and mental health issues without adequate support. This personal experience has fueled my passion for destigmatizing mental health and enhancing its accessibility. One of the most significant barriers to mental health acceptance in the Black community is the persistent stigma that mental illness is a sign of weakness or a character flaw. To combat this, we need to start by educating our community about mental health, emphasizing that it is a critical aspect of overall well-being. Schools, churches, and community centers can serve as hubs for this education, offering workshops and seminars led by mental health professionals who understand the cultural nuances of our community. Another crucial step is to increase the visibility of Black mental health professionals. Representation matters, and when people see therapists and counselors who look like them and share their cultural background, it can make seeking help less intimidating. Scholarships and funding for Black students pursuing careers in psychology, psychiatry, and social work can help build this workforce. In addition to education and representation, we must leverage technology to make mental health resources more accessible. Teletherapy and mental health apps can provide confidential and convenient support, especially for those who may be reluctant to seek help in person. These platforms should be promoted widely within the community, ensuring that people know how to access them and feel comfortable doing so. Community leaders and influencers also play a pivotal role in changing the narrative around mental health. When respected figures speak openly about their struggles with mental illness and the benefits of therapy, it can inspire others to seek help. Public campaigns featuring these leaders can normalize conversations about mental health and break down the walls of stigma. Moreover, integrating mental health services into primary care can make accessing help more straightforward and less stigmatizing. When mental health screenings and support are part of routine medical visits, it can help identify issues early and provide timely intervention. Training primary care providers to recognize and address mental health concerns is essential for this integration to be successful. Finally, we must create safe spaces within our community where individuals can share their experiences and support one another. Support groups, both in-person and online, can provide a sense of belonging and understanding. These groups should be facilitated by trained professionals who can guide discussions and offer resources. In conclusion, destigmatizing mental health within the Black community requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, representation, technology, community leadership, integrated care, and safe spaces. By taking these steps, we can honor the legacy of Solomon Vann and ensure that mental health is recognized as an essential component of our overall well-being. Together, we can create a future where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength and resilience, not weakness.