I became interested in pursuing a degree in Computer Science after taking AP Computer Science Principles during my sophomore year of high school. I originally took the class just to fill my Technology requirement needed to graduate. The other basic computer classes were full, and I figured this class would also do the trick. I thought I had no interest in anything tech-related, but this class changed my mind. We didn't learn any actual coding languages, just the logic behind them, and I was surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I then became interested in the world of Computer Science. My goal after completing my degree is to either become a software engineer or a data analyst. I think being able to design as a software engineering is amazing, but I also like the idea of organizing and looking at data. As for right now, I'm still in between the two, but I would really like to experience both in my career. As a black women going into the technology field, I know that there won't be too many others that look like me in my future workplace. That is why after starting my career, I want to become a mentor and encourage other young women and women of color to pursue careers in technology. At my university, there are few women I know that are in my same major program and I would love to change that. I want other young women to know that technology is an option for them, even though they may not consider it the same way I didn't. I want there to be more representation of women in the technology field, and I would love to be able to be that for someone. I think I am the best candidate for this scholarship because not only will it help me pay for my own education, but it will help to lead me down a path to help others with their own education.

I had no interest in technology and didn't even know what Computer Science was until my sophomore year of high school. I took AP Computer Science Principles, and it changed my life. Before that class, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. Computers were the last thing I thought I'd be interested in. After taking the class, that was all I wanted to do. The next school year was virtual due to COVID and I wasn't able to take another programming class, so I had to wait until my senior year to continue learning about Computer Science. My senior year I took a Principles of Java class, as well as an Intro to Python class at my local community college, due to being a dual enrollment student. My dream job is to become a Software Engineer. I want a chance to be creative and deliver clients their desired software and fulfill their technology needs. I love coding, and I can't wait to do it as a career. I love problem solving and finding the most logical solutions to solve probems, as well as creating software to do whatever it is that someone requests. I feel I am the best candidate for receiving this scholarship, because I want to excel in this field, and make a difference. There aren't many computer science degree holders that look like me. Black women make up about 3% of the technology field, and I would love to change that. I want to become one of those degree holders and inspire other young black women to follow in my footsteps. I am apart of a new mentoring organization at my school and I plan on doing just that. I want to let young girls, especially young black girls know that they too can have a career in technology. I want them to know that it's an option.

Black women make up about 3% of the tech industry and I want to change that. As an HBCU student, I am constantly surrounded by black women accomplishing many things in the technology field. It can be easy to forget that life on campus does not at all reflect life outside of campus. I hope to become a successful Software Engineer and mentor young girls, especially young black girls to pursue a career in technology. I want to be able to expose young girls to Computer Science and other technology fields so that they know it's an option for them. I am going into my second year of college studying Computer Science at North Carolina A&T State University.I had no interest in technology until my sophomore year of high school. I took AP Computer Science Principles, and it changed my life. Before that class, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. Computers were the last thing I thought I'd be interested in. After taking the class, that was all I wanted to do. The next school year was virtual due to COVID and I wasn't able to take another programming class, so I had to wait until my senior year to continue learning about Computer Science. My senior year I took a Principles of Java class, as well as an Intro to Python class at my local community college, due to being a dual enrollment student. Outside of school, I danced for thirteen years. From kindergarten up until the 8th grade, I took classes and performed at a dance studio. I studied ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, tap, and African dance. From then, I danced as a member of my high school's dance company, where I had chances to choreograph my own dances. Even though I consider myself a retired dancer, I do miss the creativity that dance allowed. Creating your own routines and choosing how to interpret different music and lyrics was an amazing feeling. I like opportunities to be creative, no matter how intimidating they can be at first. My favorite subject in school has always been math, because of the simplicity and logic. It's always been easier to me and I pick up on it quickly. Computer Science and programming have the same aspects that I've always loved about math and dance. I like being able to solve problems and finding the simplest way to accomplish tasks as well as being creative.

I've wanted to go to an HBCU ever since I found out what they were. I wanted to be a member of a rich black community that would support me and welcome me with open arms. My sophomore year of high school, I attended an HBCU fair with representatives from a lot of different HBCUs and I fell in love with the atmosphere. I didn't know which one I wanted to go to at the time, but I knew that one of them would be right for me. I wanted to go to a university where I knew that I would be valued and supported. I wanted to have professors that would support me in all of my achievements and see me for who I am as a student instead of being just another assignment to grade. HBCUs being much smaller than most PWIs allow for more personal interaction between professors and students. I also love the fact that I can truly be myself at my HBCU. In high school, I felt that there were times that I had to code switch when talking to teachers and even other students. When I hear my professors and other faculty speak or say certain phrases, they really remind me of my family. Even when it comes to appearances, there were times I felt that I had to hold myself back. For example, there were certain natural hairstyles that I wasn't comfortable with wearing myself, but now I see them everywhere. Being at an HBCU has made me appreciate Black culture even more than before, which I would have never thought possible. I love seeing and interacting with my peers every day. I get to see other young black people that look like me doing amazing things, and nothing could beat that.

I know this can be controversial for some, but my favorite subject in school has always been math. I always loved the simplicity, the fact that there was always a right or wrong answer. There weren't any different ways to interpret the solution, even though there were different ways to get to it. The only other class that gave math a run for its money as my favorite subject was computer science. In my sophomore year of high school, I was enrolled in AP Computer Science Principles. I was only taking that class to complete the Technology requirement I needed to graduate. I had never been too interested in tech, but I also didn't know much about it. Little did I know, this class completely changed my mind and gave me great insight into the world of Computer Science. I thought it would be another boring class on my schedule, but it had actually become my favorite and I was getting a lot out of it. I learned about the hardware and software of computers and started to learn a little about coding. I instantly became obsessed with the subject, and I wanted more. I started to think about Computer Science being a part of my career. Unfortunately my junior year of high school, I wasn't able to take the next recommended Computer Science course because of a schedule conflict. Classes were also online at the time because of the COVID pandemic, so I also wasn't as interested in taking an online computer class. Senior year, I took Principles of Java Programming and this class made me certain that Computer Science was something that I wanted to pursue. I really loved programming. While learning Java, I also took a Python programming class at my local community college. Programming had the same aspects that I liked about math. With math, an answer is either right or wrong, and with programming, the program either works or doesn't. I like the problem solving involved with programming, no matter how frustrating it can be to find the missing semicolon or misspelled keyword. Although I am not certain of my future career in Computer Science, I know that I want to solve problems. I want to make things easier and better for other people. I want to be able to make a difference and know that I created or worked on something that helped someone.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I want it and am applying for it. 2. My only real goal is to make money. I'm pretty sure that's everyone's goal, since we need it to live. To make that easier, I'm going to college. 3. There was this one time when I was writing a scholarship essay. It was definitely an obstacle.