Hello, my name is Daniel Alawode. An African American, but my origin is Nigeria. I used to live in Washington, D.C. for most of my life up until middle school. I moved to Maryland after my dad got a new home, and instead of catching metro buses and taking trains to get to school, we had to catch school buses, which was definitely a convenient change. Ever since I got my first device (iPad Mini), I have been intrigued by its functionality, the touch of the screen, the interactions with apps, and the entertainment software (aka games). I first encountered computers in middle school and was captivated by their capabilities. This fascination led me to major in computer science, combining my love for games and the creative interactions they offer. I want to be part of the game development community and eventually create my own games. Currently, my goal is to learn software development and engineering, since these skills are essential for building software others can use. While engineering focuses on solving problems and development brings ideas to life, I am more drawn to development because I enjoy creating things and tackling challenges as they arise. In my first year of college I was given advice by a senior about carrer paths and that its better to infd what you love as soon as possible because or else you may end up with a resume that has so many expeirences in different roles that anybody you show it too would be wondering what your specialty is. Loving what you do is the most important part of a career, because without passion, things can fall apart—you might lose motivation or your work quality may suffer, like apps malfunctioning or running out of ideas. I have enjoyed college so far thanks to a scholarship for students born in Maryland. Since I found out I was born in Montgomery, this scholarship was a lifesaver for covering college costs. However, recent changes in our government have caused those scholarships to be reduced and, in some cases, be removed completely. Unfortunately, unfortunaltey my privilege ended in 2026, so in order to continue getting through college to achieve certification that will allow me to join those innovative entertainment communities, I need all the help I can get. My love for games won't end even if I drop out of college because that will only leave me with more time to continue learning what I want. Although it would be nice to start something you finish so you don't have any regrets later.