My aspiration to leverage this scholarship extends far beyond mere financial assistance. it is integral to achieving my academic and professional goals. By allocating these funds towards my educational journey at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, I am afforded the opportunity to immerse myself fully in the dynamic realm of Business Information Technology, a field that aligns seamlessly with my innate passion for technology and its transformative potential. Education holds a great significance in my life, a value deeply instilled by my grandmother. Spending the summer with her meant enjoying summer fun but also came with engaging academically. She would provide reading and math workbooks, always a grade level higher, urging us to excel the following year. Through her guidance, I understood early on that a solid education was paramount for a successful future. I began to embrace challenges, enrolling in Honors and AP classes, with the goal of consistently excelling academically. However, the passing of my grandmother reshaped my perspective. It served as a harsh reminder not to take opportunities for granted and to seize each moment with determination. Establishing a personal standard, I began a journey of self-empowerment that has allowed me to continuously confront challenges with unwavering resilience. This transformative period heightened my awareness of personal goals, fueling my work ethic and self-improvement. I committed to physical fitness, adopting healthier habits, and embarked on endeavors to earn my own income, relishing in the journey of personal and long-term growth. Amidst these changes, my pursuit of higher education remained unwavering. With a deep-seated passion ​for technology, I aspire to ​attend ​North Carolina A&T State University in the fall of 2024 to pursue a degree in Business Information Technology. This field aligns perfectly with my interests, and I am driven by the belief that diligence, completion of tasks, and a commitment to excellence, values instilled by my late grandmother, will guide me to success. Her legacy serves as a constant source of inspiration, propelling me to strive for the best version of myself, both academically and personally. By capitalizing on the resources and opportunities available at NC A&T State University, coupled with the invaluable support of this scholarship I can complete my education and earn my degree with unwavering dedication and a steadfast commitment to excellence, I am confident that my academic endeavors will serve as a springboard for meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving landscape of technology-driven innovation.

My name is Chase Joyner. I was born in Raleigh, NC but lived in Greenville, NC for most of my life. At the age of 12, I moved to Knightdale, NC, where I currently reside. Throughout my life, I have made many mistakes, garnered many accomplishments, and learned so much not only about the world but also about myself. The one thing I’ve known most of my life is that I've always wanted to attend North Carolina A&T State University. Between hearing my mom talk about her time attending school there and visiting the campus myself, I fell in love with this school. Thinking back, one of the most pertinent things I’ve experienced is my grandmother passing away in 2022. This event “rocked” my world and changed my entire perspective on life. Her passing away made me realize that I shouldn’t take things for granted and to attack every opportunity that comes my way. I established a personal standard and have relentlessly worked to empower myself along the journey. Despite encountering challenges, I remained resilient and refused to let them deter me. My work ethic increased exponentially. I started working out more to build a better body, began to focus on healthier eating habits, working to earn my own money, and I’m loving every second of it. The importance of education is one of the traits that my grandmother instilled in me. During summer breaks I would stay with her and she would buy math workbooks for all of her grandchildren to complete before the end of summer break. She would intentionally buy books that were a grade level higher in order to prepare for the next school year. From a young age, I learned that excelling in school and obtaining a solid education was crucial for securing a successful career and financial stability. Additionally, I recognized the importance of being accountable for my actions. It taught me to challenge myself by taking classes at the Honors and AP levels and have excelled academically. I am no stranger to leadership and have taken it seriously through the years. Participation in activities in school and the community has always been an intricate part of my plan and I have had much success. As a varsity football player, I instilled the wisdom I gained from being in school in my earlier years into my younger peers on the junior varsity team. Football has taught me the amazing skills of leading with the ability to not only be responsible and mature, but to also have great communication skills and demonstrate the ability to be dependable. Understanding the importance of having strong character is crucial, especially as we journey through life aiming for happiness and achieving the American dream: treating others with respect, being truthful, and showing integrity by being generous to everyone around us. It's important because it builds good relationships and makes the world a better place. By practicing the qualities of —respect, honesty, generosity, love, and kindness—we not only become better individuals but also contribute to building a more compassionate and inclusive society. These qualities are qualities that were instilled in me my entire life. These are the qualities that make up my character and the ideals that I choose to live by. At North Carolina A&T State University, I want to continue to showcase these qualities from my first year of becoming an “Aggie” and graduating from a college that I have always wanted to be a part of.