"Program compiled" I stared at this message, in little green text at the bottom of my screen. Above it were dozens of lines of red text, evidence of several hours worth spent struggling with syntax errors. I was not expecting the program to compile and function, and I stared at the compilation message, aghast. A burst of exhilaration went through me. I finally did it. I made my code function successfully without assistance. This moment marked the beginning of my coding career. I was a freshman in high school, and I took an introductory-level programming class offered as an elective. As a student with an ambitious desire for learning, I had the objective to take as many classes in the STEM field to begin to figure out what degree I wanted to pursue after graduation. I signed up for the course, ignorant of how formative it would be for my academic future. Initially, I struggled with the class. The other students had prior experience and were comfortably able to understand what was being explained, but I was still befuddled about the basics: the difference between variables and arrays, bits and bytes, and I was stuck trying to understand how 1 and 0 could be used to code a computer. As the only freshman student in the class, I was often too timid to speak up to clarify questions in a room of upperclassmen with prior programming experience. For our final, we were assigned a final project to code a game of pong. I spent endless hours coding– and exponential more time debugging– receiving innumerable error messages. I was growing disheartened, and timorous that I wouldn't have a final functioning code to submit as error messages piled up. But then, after relocating a semicolon to a different location, the program compiled. This epiphany was one of the most gratifying experiences in my academic career, and it altered my perspective on programming. I continued to take more coding classes throughout high school. I evolved to adore the process of programming- a feeling that grew as I gained more experience and confidence after successful compiles. Programming is unique because it requires an integration of logic and creativity. You must know how to utilize the functions but need to apply unique approaches to the problem to debug and make the program work. It is one of the most enriching activities, to feel the success and satisfaction when code functions after endless time spent grappling with error statements to make it work. As a woman accepted into the computer science program at the University of Maine for the upcoming year, I am enthusiastic to expand my academic horizons and pursue higher education in computer science and increase female representation in the STEM workforce. However, this passion for technology and computer science was only possible for me to discover because I had the educational opportunity to explore what interested me. As a result of my experiences, I understand firsthand how essential it is to encourage education in the STEM fields and provide opportunities for the next generation of the workforce to discover what interests them. I intend on using my computer science career to create a positive impact by providing opportunities for other students to ignite an interest in STEM and develop a desire for knowledge. I plan on creating free, digital programs that allow students to have their "program compiled" moments that will shape their lives and enable them to explore topics in science, technology, engineering and math because encouraging students to engage in educational opportunities will promote a positive future of innovation through STEM.

Integrity is often defined alongside truth. However, the term goes beyond the simple blunt honesty– having integrity is about honor and virtue, it is upholding your moral code in situations where it wavers, and it is the core principle that drives ambition and hard work. Integrity is the reason why we are devoted to our values, the term born from the quality of being honest and genuine to our perceptions of scrupulousness. To me, integrity is what drives me to be me. It is the most omnipresent factor in my life because, in my perception, integrity is synonymous with honor. I honor my ambition with hard work and drive- a trait seen in every aspect of my life. With academics, integrity compels me to do more and try harder- an honor code I upheld to myself to unlock my true potential. With family and friends, honor is revealed in my dutiful value I place the importance of being genuine and caring to others. This extends to my community; the invisible compulsions that guide me to be better to support my community (in school, at home, and beyond) are a product of the ingrained values of integrity that define who I am. My moral priorities, and upholding these values, is the epitome of integrity from the perspective of honor and remain an integral part of who I am as a student, family member, and friend, allowing me to remain unwavering as a member of a generation in a time of change.

When you study history, you study a timeline of humanity. It is a topic that explores human achievement and failures, cultural change and continuity, and allows an exploration into the heart of society and how it came to be. Our shared story as humans is captured in history, which is the very root of our existence. However, in the age of digital expansion, society is progressing at an unprecedented rate. This makes the preservation of history of vital importance, because our past shows us where we’ve been, and where we could go. In order to learn from the past and apply this knowledge to the future, we must keep a record of history and preserve it. History teaches us that we simply cannot rely on our ancestors for solving all future problems. As an aspiring history major, I will be the connection between the roots and growing wings of humanity, a role essential in a modern age of change to not let this knowledge be lost. My goals in a history career are simple. I wish to accumulate as much knowledge as possible and share that knowledge with others. My love for learning, in combination with an insatiable curiosity, drives me to know more. I present this ambition as I endeavor to create a vast understanding of humanity’s history to fully understand our triumphs and tragedies. As a current high school senior, I anticipate the next chapter of my educational journey, although I have every intention to continue my studies beyond a bachelor’s degree and acquire a doctorate. I will use my time in college to educate myself in a wide variety of various cultures’ pasts. In doing so, I would be in a position where I could amass and archive an extensive body of knowledge and would be qualified to teach my passion as a history professor. The role of an educator is pivotal in shaping the future, and I will be on the front lines of creating influence through information. As a professor, I will protect the knowledge of our past by educating the next generations of young minds. This core objective to preserve and protect the knowledge of history through the continuation of education will allow me to fulfill the role of connecting our past to the future, to allow these timeless lessons and knowledge to not be lost in a modern age of change and development.