I stare at the blue sheet of paper on the table, puzzled at the direction in which I want my senior year to go. The seemingly never-ending list of courses holds a plethora of possibilities, and as my eyes wander over the options, I am unsure of what to choose. As my mind races, my mother’s loud pozdrowienia over the phone serve as not only a distraction, but an uncomfortable reminder of my parents and the inescapable fact that I still had not decided on a college major, much to their displeasure. Astronomy? Environmental Science? Maybe even Child Development? Overwhelmed, I scan over all the possibilities, and eventually find my eyes drifting over to AP Computer Science. Having had no experience in coding whatsoever, I had always strayed away from the class, intimidated and sure that I would fail miserably. However, it was my last year of high school - was now not the time to take risks? I have always been a problem-solver. Whether it be at a Mathletes competition, at work, or simply solving a crossword, I find myself drawing on my skills in analysis every single day. Working towards the root of an issue and sorting through its complications to get there stimulates my mind in a way nothing else can, and it is for this reason that I quickly fell in love with the computer science course I was initially so afraid of. I found myself immersed in each assigned project, and despite not having any prior experience, I soon began to code on my own, developing my own ideas. With its ever-evolving boundaries and growing influence in our modern world, I realized that computer science held a wealth of possibilities for me to explore. My love for learning and lifelong curiosity will thrive in this career path whose foundation rests upon a tradition of questioning that, which we already know, and I am most excited to be able to shape the future of human interaction with technology post-graduation. Being able to actively help integrate software engineering and HCI would allow me to do what I do best - problem-solve - in a capacity that focuses on making the rapidly modernizing world easier to adapt to. The boundaries between the human and the digital fluctuate unceasingly, making it increasingly important for those in the technological field to carry a fundamental awareness of what may lie ahead regarding our connection with computerized innovation. I intend to blend an understanding of both technology and human behavior by modifying developing systems and their design to suit users’ needs as best as possible, as eliminating barriers between the two is the key to effective global innovation. Receiving this scholarship would assist me tremendously in working to make this dream a reality by alleviating the financial stress of college and allowing me to pursue my passion. Seeing the lifelong sacrifices my parents have made for me, all the while in an unfamiliar country, and arduous yet fruitless attempts to afford college tuition to allow me to pursue my dream have instilled in me a great appreciation and desire to be able to assist them in any way I can. Computer science has helped me realize what I am capable of and just how valuable my skills in logistics are, and thanks to this award, I will be able to apply my newfound confidence in college, where countless possibilities and unanswered questions await me.

"Sunčica ide u Vrtić". These words adorn the cover of the worn hardback that my small hands greedily flip through, my eyes soaking in each vibrant picture captioned in Croatian. Gifted to me by my grandmother overseas, the book had quickly become an adored talisman that I toted around nearly everywhere - Sunčica’s adventures enthralled me, and it was in this way that I developed a love for the written word at the ripe age of 4. As I progressed through my adolescence, this passion continued to burn within me. From teaching me English in kindergarten and saving me from linguistic ostracization to instilling values of creativity, empathy, and companionship, literature affected me irreversibly in multiple ways, and it was for these reasons that my ultimate goal for much of my life was to become a writer and craft the stories I so deeply loved to consume. However, a senior-year computer science course drastically changed those plans. Initially expecting to merely find a new hobby, the enjoyment I found in the problem-solving intrinsic to the world of coding shattered my expectations and introduced to me the possibility of another career path - software engineering. With its ever-evolving boundaries and growing influence in our modern world, I realized that computer science held a wealth of possibilities for me to explore, and my love of reading eventually became intermingled with a passion for coding. In my mind, these two could not coexist; I found myself stranded between two poles. I continued to read and write daily, but I had found something uniquely invigorating in computer science, and as I eventually began selecting it as my college major, it felt as if I had betrayed a part of myself. However, I now realize that both of my passions are integral to who I am. Just because I chose to pursue computer science professionally does not mean I was abandoning my love of literature - it just meant I had found a path I loved equally as much. My plans of writing my own books and becoming an innovator developing programs in fields ranging from finance to bioinformatics still stand strong, but now, I have a far more expansive view of what my future can hold, and I hope to combine these two passions through an original educational program. My ultimate goal is to develop an initiative spanning the entire US through which underprivileged teens can explore the many professional fields open to them, emphasizing a balance between the arts and sciences. Technology and STEM-based careers, such as my own, hold a valuable position in society and cultivate various intellectual skills, yet it is important to learn the equally important merits of artistry. I want students to come to realize what I did, but sooner - that you can love and pursue two seemingly opposite paths, and that doing so expands your perspective and skill set exponentially. My entire life is an agglomeration of stories - my parents’ moves to America as teenagers, my grandmothers’ legacies as writers in their coastal Balkan villages, Sunčica’s, and, of course, my own. When I find my fingers frantically rushing over the keyboard of my computer to finish a line of code, I find myself reminiscent of my time writing, weaving a story out of individual letters. My time spent programming is truly no different, with each variable and method coming together to form a greater manuscript. It is with this knowledge that I prepare for my future as both a coder and writer, the unwritten chapters of life awaiting me with open arms.

Strong-willed, confident, and willing to break boundaries, my dream future self reflects the inventiveness and imagination inherent to the world of coding that she has broken into, paving the way for future female programmers.

I run my fingers over the smooth keys in front of me, the raised ink meeting my skin in various combinations of script. Black-coated steel glints in the afternoon sun as the beautifully polished apparatus sits decisively atop my desk, beckoning me to start typing. My most prized possession, my typewriter has long been a critical mode of expressing myself creatively, its rich history and worldly contributions only adding to its significance. It is because of this that as I reflect on the many inventions that have shaped our world for the better, I cannot help but write about this particular machine. The written word has long been a coveted form of artistic expression, conveyed through a multitude of mediums throughout history. From stone tablets to digital screens awash in blue light, its significance presses on, and to me, the typewriter is an embodiment of all it can inspire. Although undoubtedly revolutionary in terms of business efficacy, the typewriter also inspired massive advancement in the realm of literary artistry and imagination. Literature has the power to bridge geographic and cultural divides, revolutionize one’s way of thinking, and teach invaluable lessons in countless spheres of life, merits which would have been significantly slowed had the typewriter and the machinery it subsequently inspired not been invented. However, it has come to embody more than just literary work - it embodies creativity, freedom of expression, and inventiveness, qualities that continually better the world. Although my future career in computer science and technology may not explicitly parallel my love for writing, to me, they are more alike than they seem. When I find my fingers frantically rushing over the keyboard of my computer to finish a line of code, I find myself reminiscent of my time in front of my typewriter, weaving a story out of individual keys. My time spent programming is no different, with each variable and method coming together to form a greater manuscript. Not only has the typewriter formed the foundations of the keyboard we are so familiar with, its legacy of creativity and originality is reflected in the imagination innate to the world of technology. Built upon a tradition of breaking boundaries and thinking outside of the box, I find the countless opportunities and discoveries awaiting me in the field of computer science strikingly similar to those the typewriter inspired, ensuring its undying influence and contributions to the world.

The rising sun beats down on my head as I walk through the early-morning dew covering the blades of grass below my feet. It is my first day of freshman year, and ahead of me lies the institution at which I will spend the next four academic years of my life. Jarred out of the routine I had been so used to in middle school, a surge of fear envelops me as I brace myself for a torturous high school experience. With a deep breath, I step onto the threshold of my new school, completely unaware of what awaits me. When reflecting on this memory, the 15-year-old I see walking through the doors of her new high school seems to be a complete stranger. Unaccustomed to change and prepared to resist it at any possible chance, she embodies the exact antithesis of the person I have become, yet she was a crucial part of my personal and academic journey toward self-discovery. As I initially struggled to adjust to a new social setting throughout the first two years of high school, I realized just how much this was hindering my personal and academic growth. Therefore, instead of allowing myself to remain sheltered in this bubble forged in fear, I began to shatter it my junior year by challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as both a student and an individual. Academically, I pushed myself to new boundaries by striving to enroll in numerous AP courses and exceeding expectations with my classwork. From taking one AP course my freshman year to five my senior year, my ability to balance various demanding classes has grown tremendously, and it is through such diligent work ethic that I have risen to second in class rank. Deciding to take on a job outside of school also contributed to my perseverance, a task through which I have learned skills invaluable to my personal and professional growth such as time management and responsibility. Additionally, enrollment in various extracurriculars helped me broaden myself not only academically, but socially. Initially scared to face the unfamiliar students surrounding me in my new school, I shied away from new opportunities and hobbies as an underclassman, but have come to realize the pivotal role they play in helping make new connections and form critical bonds with peers. For example, as a varsity tennis player, I have come a long way from the inexperienced player I was initially, placing second in conference with my doubles partner this year and forming long-lasting friendships with my fellow teammates. I am now a member of various clubs such as Mathletes, Scholastic Bowl, and BPA, where I am currently secretary and have placed third in nationals for. Through all of these activities, I have connected with more people than my younger self could have ever imagined, and for that, I will forever thank myself. Most importantly, through all of these improvements, I have built up a strong sense of self and confidence that I once severely lacked. The change I have observed in myself throughout the past two years has only inspired me to continue to face what I once feared and to challenge myself in various ways. By simply taking a risk, I have discovered countless new pastimes and a passion for computer science that I cannot wait to expand on in college. As I prepare to depart high school, I can proudly say that I am no longer fearful of my future, but eager to embrace it.