If we were having a cup of coffee together, I’d share that my goal is to use my background in computer science, mathematics, cryptography, and cybersecurity to protect and uplift my local community. My experience as a cybersecurity student trainee at NIST and as a Girls Who Code instructor has shown me how powerful knowledge-sharing can be. Even after the loss of my scholarship due to health problems, I am committed to studying and researching in these fields to not only create digital environments safer, but to help people navigate our digital spaces more confidently. I would like to provide hands-on cybersecurity awareness and expertise to individuals and smaller organizations to prevent attacks before they ever happen. By bridging technical know-how with community service, I hope to be able to make an impact for those who most need it.

Growing up in a large Nicaraguan family, I was surrounded by warmth, love, and strength, all of which I believe define the Hispanic community. My father, a firefighter, has always been my role model, showing courage and selflessness every day. His commitment to his work taught me the value of bravery, perseverance, and never taking family for granted. Despite the lack of resources during my childhood, my family's constant support and encouragement have been the foundation of my educational journey. As a first-generation student, finding my way to higher education has been both a challenge and an opportunity. My family's experiences and sacrifices have shaped my view on the importance of my cultural heritage in my chosen educational pursuits. My father’s bravery has given me the determination to pursue my goals, no matter the obstacles that are put in my way. I have learned to tackle challenges head-on, just as he faces fires and emergencies with the utmost bravery. One of the most meaningful ways my Hispanic background has shaped me is through my connection to Spanish language and Nicaraguan culture. Growing up, Spanish was a link to my heritage, my background, and connected me strongly to family traditions, stories, and values. However, my fluency in Spanish was limited, which often made me feel disconnected from my roots. This disconnection fueled my desire to improve my Spanish skills through university education, so I can fully engage with my culture and communicate with my relatives in Nicaragua. My goal to travel to Nicaragua and speak fluently in Spanish comes from a desire to reconnect with my family. Through language and culture, I hope to gain a stronger understanding of my family's history and their traditions that have shaped who I am. This journey is not just about learning the language; it is about embracing my identity and honoring the sacrifices my family has made. Education has become the main focus in my life, not only as a way to grow personally but also as a way to give back to my community. My family's encouragement has fueled my love for learning, especially in pursuing Spanish courses. These classes are more than school requirements; they are steps to a future where I can beautifully bridge the gap between my dual identities as an American and a Nicaraguan. I imagine a future where I can use my bilingual skills to help others in my community, creating opportunities for those like me who want to connect with their heritage. In the end, my Hispanic family background has deeply influenced the way I see the world. It has taught me resilience, the importance of cultural identity, and the value of education. My father’s bravery inspired me to follow my dreams with courage. As I continue my educational journey, I am motivated by the desire to honor my family and to pursue a future where I can give back to the community that has given me so much. By embracing my heritage and working towards fluency in Spanish through my educational path, I hope to strengthen my connection to my roots and help others like me do the same.

My passion for cybersecurity started from my interests in STEM. As a student at the University of Florida, I've had the opportunity to learn how cybersecurity protects data, infrastructure, and privacy in our only increasingly connected world. My journey into this field is not only a reflection of my academic interests, but also a personal commitment to overcoming challenges thrown my way. Growing up in a single-parent household, I took on in helping care for my siblings while keeping a heavy focus on my education, which was not always easy with my disabilities. However, these experiences have shaped my resilience, determination, and drive to succeed, pushing me to pursue a career in STEM, particularly cybersecurity. I am motivated to contribute to a safer digital experience for the people, and I am committed to overcoming the challenges in order to do so. My work experience has been important in shaping my understanding of cybersecurity. In 2023, I had the opportunity to work as a Cybersecurity Student Trainee at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Here, I was involved in research around electric vehicle cybersecurity and the security risks associated with extreme fast charging (XFC) infrastructure. Collaborating with a variety of teams, including MITRE experts in IoT and 5G, I gained experience with cybersecurity risks with real-world applications. I felt a passion that I hadn't quite yet felt with other fields. I furthered my work as a Security Risk Analyst Intern at the University of Florida Information Technology Department (UFIT). During this internship, I worked closely with the UFIT team on risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and audit log monitoring. I shadowed colleagues in the security sector, learning the ins and outs of risk management and security protocols. Additionally, I was exposed to phishing emails, penetration testing, and incident response processes. This experience helped in building my understanding of the complexities of information security. In 2024, I was fortunate to secure a Cybersecurity Analyst Internship with Bank of America where I collaborated with teams in Global Information Security, focusing on developing internal services and applications used to protect sensitive data. I was part of an Agile team where I contributed to application development workflows, working with quality assurance analysts and software developers. I had the privilege of understanding the inner workings of cybersecurity in a major financial institution. In addition to my technical work, I am passionate about education and empowering others, especially young women, to enter the tech field. I’ve worked as a Mathematics Teacher on Outschool for people of all ages, and I’ve also had the privilege of working as a Teaching Research Assistant at UF, helping students prepare for technical interviews and providing coding solutions for computer science courses. As a prior student of Girls Who Code, I now give back by teaching computer science to middle and high school girls, helping them to build their technical skills and confidence. Throughout my life, I’ve faced many obstacles. My disabilities have taught me perseverance and how to manage resources effectively. These experiences have shaped my approach to cybersecurity—understanding that the key to success lies in resilience. My diverse background, combined with my passion for technology, allows me to contribute to information technology and security. As I continue to advance in life, I hope to address the growing security challenges posed by all sorts of new technologies. The key to security is to adapt. I aim to pursue further research in cybersecurity while empowering others through education. This scholarship would enable me to continue my academic journey and make significant steps in both my technical and educational pursuits.

"But why?" I stared intently at my mother, who seemed to be slowly losing her patience. It was my sixth time questioning why I had to eat my vegetables. The only response she ever seemed to give me was "because I said so," which always ended the conversation rather quickly. I would sit at the dinner table for hours until my mother would give up, sigh with frustration, and send me away to my room. As a child, I could not yet feel the stress and concern that she felt. My mother constantly sighed. It was her trademark. I had rarely seen my mother spend a penny within her budget on herself. Instead, she devoted her time and energy to be able to afford groceries for the week, encourage me to do well in school, and continuously check up on what I needed-school supplies, novels, the sundress we spotted in the store display. Growing up, my mother never ended her streak. She continued looking over me, trudging onwards and thriving on her own despite the difficulties of single motherhood. Every morning, I was faced with yet another sacrifice that she made. The breakfast placed in front of me, the clothes in my closet, and the backpack I used for school would not have been within my sight if it weren't for my mother. Every night, my mother ensured that I had eaten enough food before she took so much as a glance at hers. Given everything that my mother has done, it became important to be able to show appreciation and gratefulness towards her unquestionable love for me. On Mother's Day, I tippy-toed and reached for the necessary ingredients in the refrigerator, attempting to surprise my mother with the largest, tastiest ham and cheese sandwich, as I had seen Shaggy and Scooby enjoy on Scooby-Doo. A few years later, I wrote long letters of appreciation and created coupons with deals that read "Free Hugs for a Month" and "Two Free Drawings." Fast forward to now, I continue writing letters or playing her requested piano pieces, both of which I can only do because of her, who made it possible to afford weekly music lessons and enough paper to spare for creativity. My mother taught me about the importance of appreciation, and of showing it. I volunteer to help people in need, who, like me, may not have dinner without the help of another person. Making sure that I do well in school to ensure that my mother's efforts do not go to waste is another way in which I try to show that I owe her everything. Oftentimes, I offer tutoring to friends and family to try and earn a little extra money to help the bills on our dinner table disappear. When I'm older, I hope to graduate college with a quality education and show my mother that her efforts and sacrifices were worth her time. I hope to be able to care for her as she did for me. I hope to continue showing appreciation for others, making sure to give back in the end. I hope to have the bravery and diligence as my mother did. I hope to make my mother proud.

"But why?" I stared intently at my mother, who seemed to be slowly losing her patience. It was my sixth time questioning why I had to eat my vegetables. The only response she ever seemed to give me was "because I said so," which always ended the conversation rather quickly. I would sit at the dinner table for hours until my mother would give up, sigh with frustration, and send me away to my room. As a child, I could not yet feel the stress and concern that she felt. My mother constantly sighed. It was her trademark. I had rarely seen my mother spend a penny within her budget on herself. Instead, she devoted her time and energy to be able to afford groceries for the week, encourage me to do well in school, and continuously check up on what I needed-school supplies, novels, the sundress we spotted in the store display. Growing up, my mother never ended her streak. She continued looking over me, trudging onwards and thriving on her own despite the difficulties of single motherhood. Every morning, I was faced with yet another sacrifice that she made. The breakfast placed in front of me, the clothes in my closet, and the backpack I used for school would not have been within my sight if it weren't for my mother. Every night, my mother ensured that I had eaten enough food before she took so much as a glance at hers. Given everything that my mother has done, it became important to be able to show appreciation and gratefulness towards her unquestionable love for me. On Mother's Day, I tippy-toed and reached for the necessary ingredients in the refrigerator, attempting to surprise my mother with the largest, tastiest ham and cheese sandwich, as I had seen Shaggy and Scooby enjoy on Scooby-Doo. A few years later, I wrote long letters of appreciation and created coupons with deals that read "Free Hugs for a Month" and "Two Free Drawings." Fast forward to now, I continue writing letters or playing her requested piano pieces, both of which I can only do because of her, who made it possible to afford weekly music lessons and enough paper to spare for creativity. My mother taught me about the importance of appreciation, and of showing it. I volunteer to help people in need, who, like me, may not have dinner without the help of another person. Making sure that I do well in school to ensure that my mother's efforts do not go to waste is another way in which I try to show that I owe her everything. Oftentimes, I offer tutoring to friends and family to try and earn a little extra money to help the bills on our dinner table disappear. When I'm older, I hope to graduate college with a quality education and show my mother that her efforts and sacrifices were worth her time. I hope to be able to care for her as she did for me. I hope to continue showing appreciation for others, making sure to give back in the end. I hope to have the bravery and diligence as my mother did. I hope to make my mother proud.

Reshma Saujani is the founder of an organization called Girls Who Code. She is a leader who inspires and encourages females all over the world to pursue science and technology with strong-willed intent. Given my interests in technology, learning about Reshma Saujani's philosophy of embracing failure in order to embark on a journey of bravery is the same exact philosophy that further inspired me to give everything in life a try — in order to be brave and not only prove to myself, but to my mother, that anything is possible. Observing my mother encounter the hardships and limited flexibility of single motherhood absolutely encouraged me to help as best as I could. Through learning from my independent and hard-working mother, I realized that the most important quality of leadership is diligence and patience in times of hardship.

During the Summer of 2019, I was accepted into the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. Not only did I learn how to code in various languages, such as Python, HTML, and Javascript, but I also met amazing people that I will never forget. Everyone attending the program came from extremely different backgrounds, but we unified through a sense of newly-found sisterhood, and, most importantly, similar interests in problem-solving and technology. This program helped me to realize my new interests in technology and computer science. Not only did we focus on programming and problem-solving, but we also discussed ethical dilemmas in technological advancement, which combined my love of philosophy and computer science in one. I had the privilege to meet with inspiring and innovative women in technology along with girls my age that worked with me to create amazing projects focused on solving real-world issues, such as poverty, homelessness, lack of education, and more. To be able to break existing gender barriers in science and technology, to be able to show to women across the world that anything is possible, and to be able to prove to minorities and people originating from low-income and single-parent households is a dream that is more than worth achieving. Once I graduate from college, my goal is to encourage women to not walk, but run after their interests with bravery and courage, just as Girls Who Code did for me. In the long run, I hope to find my footing in security, data privacy, or research concerning those topics. I have learned so much about ethics and morals in technology that I have gained an interest in learning how to combat racial bias in technology as well as issues with the average person's data privacy. I believe everyone should be in control of their data and their privacy, which motivates me to continue pursuing computer science to the best of my ability. After graduating from college, I would like to find my way into furthering my education through a graduate program, pursuing research in my passions and interests revolving around technology and software, and try my best to responsibly plan my pathway financially, which is why I believe I am a strong applicant for this scholarship. Link to web design project and the applications of programming below.

"But why?" I stared intently at my mother, who seemed to be slowly losing her patience. It was my sixth time questioning why I had to eat my vegetables. The only response she ever seemed to give me was "because I said so," which always ended the conversation rather quickly. I would sit at the dinner table for hours until my mother would give up, sigh with frustration, and send me away to my room. As a child, I could not yet feel the stress and concern that she felt. My mother constantly sighed. It was her trademark. I had rarely seen my mother spend a penny within her budget on herself. Instead, she devoted her time and energy to be able to afford groceries for the week, encourage me to do well in school, and continuously check up on what I needed-school supplies, novels, the sundress we spotted in the store display. Growing up, my mother never ended her streak. She continued looking over me, trudging onwards and thriving on her own despite the difficulties of single motherhood. Every morning, I was faced with yet another sacrifice that she made. The breakfast placed in front of me, the clothes in my closet, and the backpack I used for school would not have been within my sight if it weren't for my mother. Every night, my mother ensured that I had eaten enough food before she took so much as a glance at hers. Given everything that my mother has done, it became important to be able to show appreciation and gratefulness towards her unquestionable love for me. On Mother's Day, I tippy-toed and reached for the necessary ingredients in the refrigerator, attempting to surprise my mother with the largest, tastiest ham and cheese sandwich, as I had seen Shaggy and Scooby enjoy on Scooby-Doo. A few years later, I wrote long letters of appreciation and created coupons with deals that read "Free Hugs for a Month" and "Two Free Drawings." Fast forward to now, I continue writing letters or playing her requested piano pieces, both of which I can only do because of her, who made it possible to afford weekly music lessons and enough paper to spare for creativity. My mother taught me about the importance of appreciation, and of showing it. I volunteer to help people in need, who, like me, may not have dinner without the help of another person. Making sure that I do well in school to ensure that my mother's efforts do not go to waste is another way in which I try to show that I owe her everything. Oftentimes, I offer tutoring to friends and family to try and earn a little extra money to help the bills on our dinner table disappear. When I'm older, I hope to graduate college with a quality education and show my mother that her efforts and sacrifices were worth her time. I hope to be able to care for her as she did for me. I hope to continue showing appreciation for others, making sure to give back in the end. I hope to have the bravery and diligence as my mother did. I hope to make my mother proud. I hope to be her legacy.

During the Summer of 2019, I was accepted into the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. Not only did I learn how to code in various languages, such as Python, HTML, and Javascript, but I also met amazing people that I will never forget. Everyone attending the program came from extremely different backgrounds, but we unified through a sense of newly-found sisterhood, and, most importantly, similar interests in problem-solving and technology. This program helped me to realize my new interests in technology and computer science. Not only did we focus on programming and problem-solving, but we also discussed ethical dilemmas in technological advancement, which combined my love of philosophy and computer science in one. I had the privilege to meet with inspiring and innovative women in technology along with girls my age that worked with me to create amazing projects focused on solving real-world issues, such as poverty, homelessness, lack of education, and more. To be able to break existing gender barriers in science and technology, to be able to show to women across the world that anything is possible, and to be able to prove to minorities and people originating from low-income and single-parent households is a dream that is more than worth achieving. Once I graduate from college, my goal is to encourage women to not walk, but run after their interests with bravery and courage, just as Girls Who Code did for me. In the long run, I hope to find my footing in security, data privacy, or research concerning those topics. I have learned so much about ethics and morals in technology that I have gained an interest in learning how to combat racial bias in technology as well as issues with the average person's data privacy. I believe everyone should be in control of their data and their privacy, which motivates me to continue pursuing computer science to the best of my ability. After graduating from college, I would like to find my way into furthering my education through a graduate program, pursuing research in my passions and interests revolving around technology and software, and try my best to responsibly plan my pathway financially.

Reshma Saujani is the founder of an organization called Girls Who Code. She is a leader who inspires and encourages females all over the world to pursue science and technology with strong-willed intent. Given my interests in technology, reading and learning about Reshma Saujani's philosophy of embracing failure in order to embark on a journey of bravery is the same exact philosophy that further inspired me to give everything in life a try — in order to be brave and not only prove to myself, but to my mother, that anything is possible. Observing my mother encounter the hardships and limited flexibility of single motherhood absolutely encouraged me to help as best as I could. Through learning from my independent and hard-working mother, I realized that the most important quality of leadership is diligence and patience in times of hardship. Through my time at the University of Florida as a student pursuing a double major in computer science and mathematics, I can visualize addressing gender inequality and discrimination in technology and science. After discovering my passions in technology and science through Girls Who Code — a female-oriented program — I realized that science and technology are passions that should be encouraged worldwide, for everyone, regardless of gender.

"But why?" I stared intently at my mother, who seemed to be slowly losing her patience. It was my sixth time questioning why I had to eat my vegetables. The only response she ever seemed to give me was "because I said so," which always ended the conversation rather quickly. I would sit at the dinner table for hours until my mother would give up, sigh with frustration, and send me away to my room. As a child, I could not yet feel the stress and concern that she felt. My mother constantly sighed. It was her trademark. I had rarely seen my mother spend a penny within her budget on herself. Instead, she devoted her time and energy to be able to afford groceries for the week, encourage me to do well in school, and continuously check up on what I needed-school supplies, novels, the sundress we spotted in the store display. Growing up, my mother never ended her streak. She continued looking over me, trudging onwards and thriving on her own despite the difficulties of single motherhood. Every morning, I was faced with yet another sacrifice that she made. The breakfast placed in front of me, the clothes in my closet, and the backpack I used for school would not have been within my sight if it weren't for my mother. Every night, my mother ensured that I had eaten enough food before she took so much as a glance at hers. Given everything that my mother has done, it became important to be able to show appreciation and gratefulness towards her unquestionable love for me. On Mother's Day, I tippy-toed and reached for the necessary ingredients in the refrigerator, attempting to surprise my mother with the largest, tastiest ham and cheese sandwich, as I had seen Shaggy and Scooby enjoy on Scooby-Doo. A few years later, I wrote long letters of appreciation and created coupons with deals that read "Free Hugs for a Month" and "Two Free Drawings." Fast forward to now, I continue writing letters or playing her requested piano pieces, both of which I can only do because of her, who made it possible to afford weekly music lessons and enough paper to spare for creativity. My mother taught me about the importance of appreciation, and of showing it. I volunteer to help people in need, who, like me, may not have dinner without the help of another person. Making sure that I do well in school to ensure that my mother's efforts do not go to waste is another way in which I try to show that I owe her everything. Oftentimes, I offer tutoring to friends and family to try and earn a little extra money to help the bills on our dinner table disappear. When I'm older, I hope to graduate college with a quality education and show my mother that her efforts and sacrifices were worth her time. I hope to be able to care for her as she did for me. I hope to continue showing appreciation for others, making sure to give back in the end. I hope to have the bravery and diligence as my mother did. I hope to make my mother proud.