If growing up in a low-income household is like working with limited resources, and being raised by a single parent is like working without an extra instruction manual, then growing up in a low-income household while being raised by a single parent has been like building up my foundation without prior knowledge or resources. From an early age, I learned how to adapt, problem-solve, and persist, not because it was optional, but because my survival depended on it. I was raised by a single working mother in a low-income household, and as such, stability was never guaranteed. There were times when we experienced prolonged periods of homelessness, including a time when we lived out of her car. Later, during my first year of college, I faced homelessness again. While many of my peers focused on exams and internships, I worried about where I could sleep safely and how to afford college expenses and basic necessities. Despite these challenges, I remained committed to my education, balancing two jobs while maintaining full-time student status because I knew earning my degree was my path forward. Today, I'm actively working toward my goals by earning a Bachelor's degree in computer science and giving back to my community. I assist with instructing a local "Girls Who Code" program, where I help young girls explore coding, creativity, and problem-solving while seeing themselves represented in STEM spaces. I also work two jobs to support both my education and my household. These experiences have shaped my resilience, empathy, and purpose. I plan to use my education and experiences to build technology that creates access and opportunity for underrepresented communities. This scholarship would help offset the overlooked costs of college and allow me to continue pursuing my goals while leaving my mark on the next generation of computer scientists.

My engineering major is computer science, and my passion for pursuing a field in technology is deeply rooted in both my lived experiences and my desire to create meaningful impact through technology. For me, engineering is not just about building systems, it’s about building opportunity, access, and stability where it does not fully exist in marginalized groups. I grew up in a low-income household raised by a single working mother. There were periods of homelessness that forced us to adapt to uncertainty at a young age, including a time when we lived out of her car. Despite having no prior degree or experience, my mother made the courageous decision to pursue a career in Information Technology. As a woman of color, she faced repeated rejection and discrimination before someone finally gave her a chance. Watching her teach herself new skills, persist through bias, and ultimately succeed showed me firsthand how powerful technology can be as a tool for transformation. It didn’t just change her career; it changed our lives. That experience is what inspired me to pursue computer science. I’ve seen how access to technical knowledge can be a lifeline, and I want to be part of creating that access for others. Technology has the power to solve real-world problems, strengthen communities, and open doors for people who have historically been excluded from engineering spaces. As a woman of color in a male-dominated field, I understand how important representation is, and I am committed to helping change the face of engineering. My faith was tested again years later when, shortly after moving out of the state where I was born and raised, I found myself homeless once more. Away from everything familiar, I struggled with fear and uncertainty, questioning how I had ended up back in such a vulnerable position. During that time, I leaned heavily on prayer, not just for answers, but for strength and guidance. My faith became my foundation when my circumstances felt unstable and reminded me to keep moving forward, even when the path wasn't straightforward. Beyond the classroom, I put this passion into action by volunteering as an instructor for a local Girls Who Code program, where I help introduce young girls to coding, robotics, and problem-solving. I want them to see engineering not as something intimidating or out of reach, but as a space where they belong and can thrive. Through hands-on coding lessons, creative projects, and problem-solving activities, I help show them that they belong in STEM spaces. Watching their confidence grow reminds me why representation matters and why I chose this path. To me, engineering is about making an impact. It’s about using technical skills to improve lives, create equity, and build a future that reflects the diversity of the world we live in. Pursuing computer science allows me to honor the sacrifices that brought me here while working toward a career that blends innovation, service, and purpose.

Being a first-generation college student means stepping into a world my family could never fully prepare me for, while shouldering their sacrifices and expectations with me every step of the way. I am the first in my family to be on track to graduate and that milestone represents my resiliency built through adversity, uncertainty, and ambition. My journey through education has never been as straightforward as I anticipated. Throughout elementary and middle school, my single working mother and I were plagued with periods of homelessness, forcing me to learn how to adapt long before I understood what stability looked like. Years later, during my first year of college, I found myself homeless again, balancing day-to-day survival with academic expectations. While my peers worried about exams and internships, I worried about where I could sleep safely and and how to stretch each paycheck far enough to cover my basic needs. Despite this, I refused to let my current circumstances define my future. I worked two jobs while maintaining my full-time student status, often studying late at night after long shifts, driven by the belief that education was my way forward. As a woman pursuing a degree in computer science, I have faced another layer of challenges. I have been denied opportunities, underestimated, and made to feel as though I did not belong in a field dominated by men. Those experiences were discouraging, but they also strengthened my resolve. Each obstacle reaffirmed my commitment not only to succeed, but to help change the narrative for those who come after me. What drives me is not just learning, but sharing knowledge and creating opportunity. I volunteer as an instructor for a Girls Who Code program at my local library, where our mission is to inspire and empower young girls to explore the exciting world of computer science. Through coding lessons, creative projects, and problem-solving challenges, I help show these girls that they belong in STEM spaces. Seeing them gain confidence and curiosity reminds me why I started this journey and why representation matters. This scholarship would provide more than financial assistance. It would represent recognition of my perseverance and belief in my potential. It would ease the burden of balancing work and school, allowing me to focus more fully on my education and deepen my involvement in community initiatives. Being a first-generation student has taught me resilience, adaptability, and purpose. With this support, I will continue working toward a future not only for myself, but for the generations of young women I hope to inspire.

When I think about a time I overcame obstacles instead of giving up, I immediately think back to the year my mother and I were homeless. After she lost her job, we lost our home, and for nearly a year, we slept in her car. Nights were cold, uncomfortable, and often frightening, and each day was filled with uncertainty about what would come next. We had to make impossible choices — whether to spend what little we had on food or gas, whether to shower at a friend’s house or risk being late to work and school. It was a period of my life that tested my strength in ways I never imagined. But even in that darkest time, my mother never gave up and neither did I. She refused to let our circumstances define our future. I watched her reinvent herself by entering the Information Technology field, despite having no degree or prior experience. She faced bias and countless setbacks, but she kept showing up, learning, and proving herself. Her determination became my inspiration. Living in that car taught me resilience: that no matter how bad things get, you can choose to keep fighting. That year shaped who I am today, instilling in me a drive to work hard and to never settle for less than what I know is possible. That same resilience carried me through college as the first person in my family to attend. Supporting both myself and my mother meant working two jobs while funding my own education. Balancing work, classes, and volunteer commitments was exhausting, but giving up was never an option. Every challenge became fuel to keep moving forward. My experiences also shaped how I view leadership. To me, leadership is not about a title or position, it’s about lifting others as you climb. I demonstrate this through my role as a Special Events Ambassador for my town, where I help create events that bring people together and showcase the impact of STEM in everyday life. One of the events I helped coordinate raised funds for our local animal shelter, enabling treatments that incorporated cutting-edge technologies like 3D-printed prosthetics and stem cell therapy for injured animals. Seeing how innovation could directly improve lives inspired me to share that passion with others. I also lead through mentorship as a co-director of our local Girls Who Code program. Outside of my work hours, I dedicate time to empowering young girls to explore computer science. I teach them coding, robotics, and problem-solving, and more importantly, I help them build confidence in themselves. Many of these girls come from backgrounds where they’ve been told STEM isn’t for them. Watching them grow from hesitant beginners to confident creators is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It reminds me that leadership is about inspiring others to see what they’re capable of. Through homelessness, financial hardship, and countless obstacles, I’ve learned that perseverance and leadership go hand in hand. Overcoming adversity taught me to find strength where others might see only defeat, and to use my experiences to guide and uplift those around me. Today, as I continue my journey toward becoming a software engineer, I carry those lessons with me. I want to be a leader who breaks barriers, opens doors, and creates opportunities for others — especially for young women of color in STEM who deserve to see that they, too, belong.

As a first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, I carry not only my own dreams, but the hopes of my family as well. My journey began in a household led by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for us. Despite the challenges we faced — financial strain, housing instability, and the pressures of starting over — my mother made the courageous decision to reinvent herself in the Information Technology field. Watching her persevere and succeed in a male-dominated industry showed me the transformative power of education and technology. Her strength became my inspiration and her success became the blueprint for my own aspirations. Today, I am driven by a passion for using technology to create meaningful change in the world. I currently serve as a Special Events Ambassador for my town, where I help organize community programs that promote connection and learning. One of the most rewarding experiences has been leading Girls Who Code, a program at our public library that empowers young girls to explore computer science through hands-on activities. From coding simple games and interactive stories to experimenting with robotics and digital art, I’ve seen these girls grow in confidence, creativity, and curiosity. It’s a reminder that early exposure and encouragement can open up entire worlds of possibility. Recently, I had the opportunity to take this program a step further by organizing a fundraiser with the girls for our local animal shelter. We raised money for a dog who had lost a limb and a cat suffering from osteoarthritis. With the funds, the shelter was able to provide a 3D-printed prosthetic for the dog, restoring its ability to move freely — and laser surgery for the cat, which reduced its pain and improved its mobility. This project beautifully combined my love for technology, community, and compassion. It demonstrated that innovation isn’t just about creating new tools, it’s about solving real problems and improving lives. My goal is to continue using computer science to develop solutions that have a direct and positive impact on both people and animals. Whether through building accessible tech for individuals with disabilities, applying data and AI to healthcare and social good, or improving animal rehabilitation with emerging technologies, I want my work to reflect empathy, purpose, and progress. Equally important to me is mentoring the next generation of women in tech. As someone who didn’t grow up with many role models in this field, I understand how important it is to be visible and supportive for those coming behind me. I plan to continue mentoring and creating spaces where girls feel welcome, capable, and excited to pursue careers in STEM. In everything I do, I aim to merge technology with heart — driven by the belief that real innovation lifts others up. With the support of this scholarship, I will be one step closer to becoming an engineer who not only builds software, but also continues to builds relationships within the community, and empowers young girls to pursue technology.

I am a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in computer science. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly in the Information Technology field, I grew up watching her navigate a male-dominated industry with grace, grit, and determination. Her strength and sacrifice have shaped me into someone who values hard work, perseverance, and purpose. She made countless sacrifices to ensure I had access to quality education, coding bootcamps, and engineering summer camps. Inspired by her resilience, I now work two jobs to support our household while continuing my academic and community commitments. What motivates me most is the opportunity to use technology as a tool for empowerment and equity. I want to make technology accessible to those who’ve been historically excluded — especially young girls and students of color. If I could do anything with my life, I would build educational platforms that bridge the digital divide, create mentorship pipelines in underserved communities, and lead initiatives that make the tech industry more inclusive. As a Special Events Ambassador for my city, I already contribute to this mission by co-directing a "Girls who Code" program at my local library, where I mentor young girls and help them explore coding, robotics, and design. Our mission is to inspire and empower young girls to explore computer science in a fun, welcoming, and creative environment. Through projects like building games, designing digital art, and exploring robotics, we help them see that they, too, can be leaders and innovators in tech. My ultimate dream is to build a career that combines my technical skills with my passion for service — developing technologies that improve lives and ensuring that the next generation knows they belong in STEM, no matter where they come from. What excites me most about STEM is its power to improve the quality of life — not just for people, but for animals and the environment as well. Technology isn’t just about innovation; it’s about compassion, connection, and creating real-world solutions that make life better. I’ve seen this firsthand through my work as a Special Events Ambassador for my town, where I help organize community events and fundraisers that make a direct impact. In my position as a Special Events Ambassador, one experience that stands out was a fundraiser we hosted for our local animal shelter to help provide medical care for injured animals. The community came together to raise money, and with the funds, we were able to support advanced treatments that incorporated cutting-edge STEM technologies. One of the dogs at the shelter had lost a limb, and thanks to 3D printing, we were able to provide him with a custom prosthetic that allowed him to walk and play again. Another case involved a cat suffering from osteoarthritis who received stem cell therapy to manage her pain and improve mobility. Moments like these remind me why I chose a path in technology. STEM makes the impossible possible — it transforms lives. Through a career in information technology, I hope to contribute to innovations that increase accessibility, improve healthcare, and create tools that solve everyday problems. I want to be part of the future that uses tech not only to advance industries but to serve communities and make the world a more compassionate, connected place. The greatest challenge I’ve faced has been balancing financial hardship with my academic and leadership commitments. I was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to ensure I had access to the best opportunities. Despite her unwavering support, I knew from an early age that I would need to step up and contribute — not just financially, but as a leader and role model in my community. Today, as a full-time college student, I work two jobs to help support my family while staying committed to my academic goals and leadership responsibilities. One of the most demanding yet rewarding roles I’ve taken on was being selected as a project leader for a youth group in an engineering camp. In this position, I was tasked with mentoring younger students, brainstorming ways to make current technologies more innovative and sustainable, and leading the development of creative, real-world solutions. In addition to the technical work, I was responsible for designing graphics for posters, preparing speeches, and creating presentations to showcase our group’s work — all within a very strict timeframe. Balancing these responsibilities with my jobs and coursework was overwhelming at times. There were moments when I questioned whether I could manage it all. But I pushed through by staying organized, prioritizing my time, and confiding in some of the other more experienced project leaders for advice. That experience taught me how to lead under pressure, communicate effectively, and inspire others — all while navigating my own challenges. It shaped me into someone who doesn’t just overcome obstacles, but uses them as stepping stones to grow, lead, and make an impact.

Resilience has always been more than a buzzword for me — it’s been a way of life. Growing up, my single mother worked tirelessly to support us, but despite her efforts, we faced periods of housing insecurity. For a time in middle school, we lived out of our car. I remember doing homework with a flashlight, eating fast food dollar meals because they were the cheapest option, and still showing up to school every day determined not to let anyone see me fall behind. Those early experiences taught me how to adapt, how to work under pressure, and how to find strength in the face of instability. Up until that point, I had been attending a private school with some financial aid assistance, but once our situation changed, I had to transfer into a public school going into middle school. I went from a small, familiar environment to a much larger, unfamiliar one, with new students, new teachers, and no sense of belonging. I was trying to keep up academically while hiding what I was going through personally. It was a shock to my identity. I felt out of place, behind, and overwhelmed. But watching my mom wake up every morning, work long hours, and still find time to check in on me and encourage me — even when she had every reason to be exhausted — taught me turning it up to 11 really looks like. She never completed her degree program, but she gave me something just as valuable: the example of what it means to work hard, stay hopeful, and keep moving forward no matter what. Her example continues to drive me today. Now, as an undergraduate student working two jobs to help support my mother and I while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, I carry that same determination with me. I see higher education not just as a personal goal, but as a way to break generational cycles and create opportunities that my mother never had. Balancing school, work, and family responsibilities isn’t easy, but I’ve learned how to manage my time, stay focused, and keep going even when things feel overwhelming. Turning it up to 11, for me, means showing up every single day — whether I’m tired, stressed, or uncertain — and giving my all anyway. It means believing in a future that’s bigger than my circumstances and taking steps toward it, one challenge at a time. Through these experiences, I have learned the power of leadership through empathy, structure, and persistence. I have learned how to turn chaos into clarity, and how my ability to adapt under pressure — shaped by my early life — could be wielded into a strength, not a setback. That’s why I would absolutely participate in a mentorship program with Inspire11. Having guidance from professionals who understand how to turn adversity into innovation and leadership would help me continue building the life my mother dreamed of for me. A mentorship would provide the support and insight I need to grow not just academically and professionally, but personally. It would allow me to continue turning it up to 11 — not just to succeed, but to inspire others who’ve been through the same.

Growing up as a first-generation student, I’ve faced many challenges, but they’ve shaped me into someone determined to overcome obstacles and make a difference. Coming from a disadvantaged background, I often had to juggle multiple jobs while staying focused on my studies, all while trying to support my family. Despite these hurdles, I’ve always dreamed of working in STEM — specifically in computer science — to use technology as a tool for social good. My goal is to develop technology that bridges gaps, especially for marginalized communities. As a woman in STEM, I understand the importance of creating inclusive and empathetic digital tools that can connect people from different walks of life. I’m currently working on several coding projects, including an app to connect underserved students with free educational resources, which I hope will help narrow the digital divide in education. Despite the challenges, including financial hardships and the pressure of being the first in my family to attend college, I’ve managed to stay focused on my aspirations. I’ve learned the value of perseverance and resourcefulness — lessons that have helped me keep pushing forward, even during tough times. One of the biggest obstacles I’ve overcome is managing my time between school, work, and family responsibilities, learning to balance it all without losing sight of my dreams. This scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden, allowing me to dedicate more time to my studies and community involvement. It would provide the stability I need to focus on my projects and, ultimately, help me achieve my goal of using technology to create a more empathetic and connected world. With this support, I’m confident I can continue to grow, both personally and professionally, and make a lasting impact.