The first time I truly understood the importance of cybersecurity was when my debit card was hacked. Someone spent hundreds of dollars on gambling websites, leaving me frustrated and wondering how this could happen in such a technology-driven world. That experience made me realize just how vulnerable personal information can be and triggered my curiosity about how cyber threats work and, more importantly, how to stop them. As I’ve learned more about cybersecurity, I’ve come to see the internet as an ever-evolving universe, expanding so rapidly that there aren’t enough professionals working to keep sensitive information safe. Every day, people and organizations deal with cyberattacks, and the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. I want to be part of the solution. After earning my degree, I hope to work in cybersecurity for the federal government or the military. In that role, my goal is simple: to help as many people as possible by protecting their personal data from those who seek to misuse it. Cybersecurity isn’t just about computers and codes; it’s about protecting lives. In today’s digital world, businesses aren’t just about making money, we rely on them to keep our country safe and stable. Knowing that I could play a role in defending against cyber threats motivates me to pursue this path with passion and determination. My connection to the military comes from my father, who served in the United States Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq in 2003. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Six years after returning home, he was diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a service connected terminal illness. Two years later, he passed away. I was 4 years old. He was my superhero; he traveled across the world to fight bad guys. What little boy wouldn’t look up to that? Ever since then, I’ve wanted to serve in the military in some capacity. I started by joining my high school’s JROTC program. Unfortunately, the program was discontinued when the lead teacher left the school for a different job. I plan to join ROTC in college for now with the goal of serving in the military or a three-letter agency after graduation. My hope is to continue my father’s legacy of protecting my country and its people though not from the front lines, but behind a computer screen, where cybersecurity is just as critical to national defense. Receiving this scholarship would help me take the next step toward my goal. With the right education and training, I know I can make a real impact in this field. Cybersecurity is more than just a career for me—it’s a mission, and I’m ready to take it on.

Being raised by a single mother I would say was difficult but with the circumstances of my father’s passing, the U.S. government and Veteran Affairs made it so my mom didn’t have to work while my brothers and I were in elementary, middle school and some of high school. So I can't lie it could have been a lot worse. My heart goes out to all the single mothers and fathers who don't have the option to stay home and take care of their kids. With that being said, being raised by a single mother of three boys wasn't a cake walk. She showed me the true meaning of sacrifice and grit. For example, when her husband passed she couldn't slow down at all. She had to learn to navigate life by herself while raising me and my brothers. We were all too young to fully comprehend what happened. She wasn't able to put her life on pause for even a couple of days to mourn the loss of such a big part of her life. As I enter adulthood, I have a good understanding of what it means to put others first when that is your only option. My mom is the most genuine and kind person I know. A lot of people, including myself, trust her. I can see how being raised to be compassionate will help me in my career field of cyber security. It will be important for me to be trusted when people are most vulnerable. My mom showed me the definition of selflessness and the importance of helping others. Because she didn't have to work she was able to volunteer everywhere and anywhere. She volunteered at our church, she became the president of the local schools PTA, key member of our Cub and Boy Scout Troops, and a leading member of our town's youth lacrosse program. Watching my mom give back has given me the drive to help others, and do what is right. In cyber security, I will have the skills to evaluate problems with intelligence as well as heart. I saw the impact giving back to our community had and I hope to be able to volunteer when I have kids in a similar capacity as my mom. I want to use what I've learned from my mother to push through anything put in my path because I know if my mother could continue to raise us at the level she did after such a tragedy I know I will be able to do anything.

One specific memory of my dad stands out to me and I have the moon to thank. It was late one Sunday night on a drill weekend when I was 3 or 4 years old. I remember laying in bed trying to sleep, my eyes droopy from exhaustion. I wanted to go to sleep but I couldn't because the moon was so bright. It was clearly a full moon. Not just any full moon, it was huge in the sky. Fascinated by how big the moon appeared I got out of my bed for an even closer look. It looked like it was 3 times closer than it normally was in the sky. While I was inspecting the moon I saw headlights bounce off the trees at the end of the driveway. My eyes moved towards the end of the driveway as I saw the lights get brighter and brighter. By this time my mother was squatting next to me and my brothers had joined us at the window. I remember my younger brother only dressed in a pull-up standing on his tippy toes peering over the edge of the window sill. We were all waiting to see if the car was my father finally returning from his weekend at drill. The car got closer and by the light of the moon, through the trees I saw the gold color of his little sedan as he turned in the driveway. My brothers and I got really excited because we were all sure that it was our dad coming home. I looked over at my mom who was smiling. It felt like a moon’s age [wink wink] as he drove up the relatively short driveway. Finally he reached the top and put his car in park. I watched the door slowly open and he stepped out. Once out of the car he stood tall, adjusting his UPC cover on his head and started for the door. Then freeze frame, this is all I can remember: my hero, my dad, standing mid-stride enlightened in the recently parked car with the huge moon in the sky behind him. I've asked my mother and both my brothers about this night and they have no recollection of the event. It’s a memory I can confidently say I will never forget and I only have the moon to thank. This was before my dad got sick. At a young age, it’s hard to imagine life without a father, so you don’t always remember the small details. If it weren't for the moon I wouldn't have a memory of my dad in his military uniform. Sadly, he died April 27, 2012, two years after he was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). I was only 5 years old.

When I was 4 years old, my father passed away from ALS. I had lots of hatred and anger for the world, understandably so. I was constantly getting in trouble at school, getting sent to the principal’s office, getting written up on the bus, and acting out for attention. The other kids didn’t get it, but my teachers knew why. But this wouldn’t fly forever. As I grew older, I was expected to control myself more, and that’s exactly what I did. I learned to control my emotions and explain how I felt before throwing a temper tantrum just because the teacher wasn’t right next to me. I slowly learned the workings of the world—how it wasn’t fair, how no one was going to come save me—and I grew up quick, quicker than any child should. I miss my father every single day, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to somehow change the outcome of his diagnosis. Without his passing, though, I would not be the person I am today. If he were still around, I’m more than sure he would still hold me to the standards I will list, but they wouldn’t be as ingrained in me. I wouldn’t have the same tolerance for pain—nothing will ever be as painful as returning home from school when I was 4 to hear my mom crying at the kitchen table. I didn’t have to ask her what was wrong. I knew what happened, and I could feel it. I wouldn’t have the same amount of independence—growing up without a father leaves a lot of questions for a young boy and man who now has no one to confide in, no one to guide me through the chaos of life. I wouldn’t have the same amount of discipline—having to do chores from a very young age to help out my mother, who was busy taking care of three young boys, doing the dishes and laundry just so she could get some time to relax, even if only for a moment. Growing up without a father undoubtedly led me to be the person I am today. The attributes listed, everyone else has, but not everyone is forced to learn them at such a young age because of something so traumatic. It changes you. It hardens you. And yet, somehow, it teaches you to love even deeper, to appreciate the little things, and to cherish every fleeting moment with the people who matter most.

My name is CK Kennedy. I'm a senior at Windham High School in Windham, Maine where I wrestle and play lacrosse. At the age of 18, I know more than someone my age should know about anxiety. When I was 5 years old, my father passed away from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. I can remember my dad when he was a strong man; sadly I witnessed his body fail, robbing him of his physical strength right before my young eyes. It was a short time after my dad died when the anxiety struck. Unable to comprehend the tragedy that shook my life, my world began to unravel. I lashed out at home and school due to not being able to control my emotions. I was unable to sit during class and effectively learn. Quickly I fell behind in reading and writing. It is with great self accomplishment that I'm currently sitting in Honors English 4, while writing this essay. I started my journey in first grade when my teachers didn't hold me accountable with school work because I had just suffered so much. In second grade, I was immediately put into an ‘extra help’ class with a small group of students that also struggled with reading and writing. I started going to a counselor after school which seemed to help a little. Halfway through my third grade year, still struggling with emotions and academics, my family moved to a nearby town. My mom made the decision to put me back in second grade, hoping I wouldn’t struggle as much. So now, I’m starting mid year, in a new school without any of my friends or familiar classmates who knew what I went through. It was very difficult for me. I even tried running away. Fast forward a couple of years, I am still behind in reading and writing despite the ‘extra help’ classes and a private tutor, my mom takes me to the doctors. After tests and examinations I was diagnosed with ADHD and severe anxiety. Thankfully, shortly after starting medication and continuing counseling my life took a complete 180 turn; it literally felt like my brain slowed down. By middle school I was no longer struggling with the thoughts of not being understood or questioned by I didn’t fit in. Within months I tested out of special education and returned to the mainstream classroom. I didn't stop there, in eighth grade I was told by my English teacher that I had scored the highest in the reading and comprehension portion of a state standardized test for my school and grade level. As a freshman, I was enrolled in honors classes and that is where I have been the past 4 years, finishing the first 3 years of high school Honors English with a 95 or above. I am who I am because of the hand I was dealt but most importantly, I recognize that my life could have taken a different path entirely. Throughout the years I have been fortunate enough to have a great support system at home and at school. I have found comfort in my friendships and teammates. I continue to go to counseling where I have learned skills on how to deal with my emotions. I make sure I am there for my people in the way they have been there for me when I needed it most. By doing so, I know that has helped me heal. Thank you for your consideration.

The loss of a loved one is an intense experience that can change our lives in unexpected ways. I not only lost my dad but also my grandfather who was there for me after my dad passed. My dad had ALS and passed away in April, 2012. I was only 5 years old. I have memories of my dad, which I cherish but only of him in a wheelchair or bedridden. I can remember sitting on his lap in his wheelchair and laying with him on his hospital bed in my parent’s bedroom watching cartoons. I was lucky to have a grandfather who, after my dad died, really stepped it up. He didn’t try to replace my dad but he certainly did his best to fill the void. Sadly, my grandfather died from complications of Covid-19 in January, 2022, the middle of wrestling season my freshman year of high school. I felt a deep emptiness that was hard to fill. However, it was through sports that I found a way to cope with my grief and became stronger. Looking back, I now can see how much of a positive impact playing sports has had on me. Playing sports has taught me important life lessons. Just like in wrestling, life is filled with challenges and setbacks. There were matches where I would get pinned or make illegal holds, but each time I learned to get back up and try again. This resilience became crucial as I dealt with my feelings of loss. I learned that it’s okay to feel sad, but it’s also important to keep moving forward, similar to a wrestler who faces their next opponent. This lesson is something Gramps had always emphasized, and now I understand it in a new way. The end of my freshman year lacrosse season I messed up my knee and needed surgery. The timing of my recovery kept me from wrestling my sophomore year. Instead of seeing this as another loss, I decided the best choice for me was to rehab in the pool so I joined the swim team. That year I was the only boy on the team. I could have said, “nah, I’m good” and rehabbed in the gym but I remembered how hard my grandfather worked to get the things he wanted in life. I knew I wanted to wrestle and play lacrosse again so I did what I knew was best for me. The fall of my junior year, I even ran cross country for my high school to continue to strengthen my leg. My dedication to getting back to what I loved paid off. It was an honor to have earned Most Improved in both wrestling and lacrosse my junior year. In conclusion, sports have been a very important part of my healing journey after losing my grandfather. It allowed me to express my emotions, learn important life lessons, and connect with a supportive community. Through the game, I found a way to honor my grandfather’s legacy while also discovering my own strength. Sports helped me not only cope with my grief but also grow as a person. As I continue to wrestle and play lacrosse, I carry my grandfather’s and dad’s memories with me, knowing that they would be proud of how far I’ve come.

My mother has been my biggest supporter in reaching my educational goals. She is the strongest person I know. She’s the one who has kept our family together through some of the hardest times. My dad was diagnosed with the fatal disease that affects the nervous system: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2010. By 2011, she was forced to take on the role of caregiver, both for him and for my brothers and me. When my dad passed away in 2012 my older brother was 6, I was 5 and my younger brother was only 3. Being so young, I don’t remember a whole lot but what I do remember is mostly how strong my mom was. Even after dad was gone, she was and continues to be my rock. My mom has always been there for my brothers and me, making sure we’re okay emotionally and physically. After my dad passed my anxiety became very severe. My mom got me into trauma counseling which helped me tremendously. Being a single mother of such young, and might I note, very active boys was no small feat. But through my eyes she did it with ease and such grace. She has taught me to be resourceful, to work smarter and not harder. When we moved, I was in third grade. My mom had me repeat second grade. I’m a September baby so I was very young for my grade. The teachers were hesitant but she knew starting second grade at a new school was the right move for me. Had we not moved, she wouldn’t have kept me back. My mom recognized the advantages of starting over at a new school. She took advantage of an opportunity that has had a very positive outcome for me academically. When I was struggling with reading my mom got me a tutor. She knew her limits and helping me with homework was beyond those limits. Instead of fighting with me to get me to read she made a decision that would be better for both of our well beings but especially my academically. Throughout middle school, especially during the pandemic, she made time to work with me on school work. I didn’t always cooperate but she never gave up on me. At the time I didn’t appreciate all the small, extra things she was doing. But as I got older and in high school I have been able to see ‘the whys’ she did it. As a senior in high school I am in honors classes and taking a couple AP classes. I wouldn’t be where I am without the help and guidance of the most remarkable human being I am lucky to call mom. I look forward to my future, hopefully at the University of Southern Maine, where I will study cyber security. The skills and encouragement my mom has given me over the years will carry me through the next chapter of my life and beyond.

I was five years old and It was toward the end of my Kindergarten year when my dad passed away from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was diagnosed only two years before the horrific disease took him from me, my brothers and my mom. That year of school the teachers were more focused on my well being then anything else. I remember being angry at the world. My years in elementary school were not easy. I was extremely disruptive in class, often yelling, throwing things and bullying my peers. I spent half of my day in a resource room, away from my friends. By fifth grade, after a couple years of trauma therapy and anti-anxiety medication, school got better for me. I also had a really cool teacher that year that I still think about the positive impact he had on me. I learned some valuable coping strategies from therapy and ways to control my anger. When I started middle school everything flipped around for me. Instead of being in different classrooms for reading and writing I was in the mainstream classroom for the entire school day. I no longer acted out during class and I did well in all my classes. By the time I entered high school, my teachers recommended me for honors English and History. This year, as a senior I am taking two honors classes and two AP classes. My grief journey hasn’t been easy but it has been my own. I’ve always been involved in sports and I strongly believe being active physically has played a large, positive part in my grieving. I still struggle, especially when school events happen and I see peers with both their parents. It will be a feeling I will carry with me my entire life. I know my dad is watching over me and guiding me as I navigate my future. I plan to attend the University of Southern Maine to earn a degree in cyber security. Computers have always been an interest of mine. It wasn’t until recently when my debit card was compromised that I became curious about cyber security. I look forward to learning more about cyber security and ways I can contribute to helping others keep their debit cards from being compromised.