My parents say that as soon as I could talk, I was constantly asking questions. I like to think I was born with a deep sense of curiosity and a passion for learning. I am thankful that my parents and teachers never shunned my curiosity or dismissed my questions, they always answered them the best they could and encouraged me to pursue further knowledge. I remember especially being intrigued by books, numbers, and maps. I have a very analytical mind, so both geography and computer science appeal to me because they satisfy my need for strict rules and intuition. Growing up I loved to put together puzzles of the fifty states and the countries of the world. I spent hours playing “Stack the Countries” on the family iPad. When I was 10 I was given an atlas. I looked through it almost every night, memorizing cities and flags, and soaking up all the different data visualizations it had to offer. That was truly something I enjoyed. I won my school’s GeoBee all three years it was held, and each year advanced to the state bee. My love for geography still follows me today. This love is what inspires me to see as much of the world as I can, connecting map dots with real experiences. I think my curiosity, and love for visual data and rigid systems is also what interests me about computer science. Once I learned about all the different ways computers can be used to keep track of data and use it to convey information I knew that it was the career path I wanted to pursue. Also, my dad teaches computer science at my high school, so that only reinforced my enthusiasm, and gave me access to learning materials at home. I plan to study either computer science or data science at Stanford University this fall. Along with a passion for learning, another trait that defines me is my sense of patriotism. This was instilled in me not only by my father, but both my grandfathers as well. My dad served in the Navy for four years after he graduated high school in 1999. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Air Force in the 1970s. I love to hear them tell stories of their time and the places they had been, and looking at their old photos. My maternal grandfather did not serve, but his dad was a World War II veteran. I often heard stories about him through my grandpa. And despite not serving himself, he has taught me the most about the history of our nation’s military. Him and I have sat through several war documentaries together, and we share and discuss historical books. Overall, I think this scholarship is a perfect fit for me. The person I am is shaped by my interests in geography and computer science. Also, my family has several ties to the military and I will always support the United States and its troops. This scholarship would be very helpful to me as I step outside of my comfort zone to pursue my dreams. That said, I plan to do so all while still maintaining my core values and never forgetting what got me here.