When I was four or five, I thought I was a hero because I “protected” our family computer by playing around on Avast Antivirus. It may sound silly, but that simple act sparked a dream I’ve carried with me ever since: to become a cybersecurity expert and protect people from online threats. What started as a game became a goal, and today, it means everything to me—because growing up, I know what it feels like to be unprotected. I’ve been raised by a single mother for most of my life. Our household income has been low for about 10 years—about $24,000 a year between my father’s death benefits and my mom’s disability check. My mom is disabled due to several health issues, including severe reactive hypoglycemia, and she’s had over 14 surgeries. Despite all this, she has never stopped fighting to take care of us. Her strength has shaped the way I see the world. We’ve had to move several times to escape traumatic situations, which put even more pressure on our already limited funds. We rely on HUD Section 8 housing and a low-income programs (with utilities, internet, etc) just to stay afloat. But through it all, my mom never let me give up on my future. She wants me to spread my wings, life my life, and encourages my love for technology and always has even when we couldn’t afford the best tools. She made sure we had internet so I could keep learning and dreaming, especially since in my high school years and ever since Covid, I have needed Internet to access my schooling. One of the hardest things we’re facing now is that my father’s benefits will end when I turn 18 this July. That means we’ll lose half of our income overnight. It’s scary. I’ve spent years worrying about money and watching my mom juggle bills and doctor appointments. But I’ve also learned how to stay focused and use discipline to build a better future. I work hard in school and plan every step of my future carefully, knowing that education is my way out. I have taken a diploma seal course to be proficient in financial literacy so I can make sure I have a stable future but to also support my mother as much as possible. What keeps me motivated is the thought of one day giving back—not just to my mom, but to the world. I want to help stop scammers and hackers, just like I’ve seen people do on “Scammer Payback.” I want to make the internet safer for others, especially people like my mom, who are vulnerable to fraud. I know I can make a difference in this fast-moving tech world if I’m given the chance. My community and town has played a huge role in helping me get this far. From having access to these low-income programs, being able to ride the bus to school in the early days, riding a scooter, budgeting, going to the public libraries, and not being picky and sensitive to limited resources has definitely helped. This is more than just a career dream for me, it's my way of turning a life full of challenges into something powerful and good. I want to prove that where you start doesn't have to define where you end up. Starting from rock bottom in some cases helps you get to your very high moments. (caption for pictures: red marking photo is where we live now, the selfie is my favorite picture with my mom for my prom, other photo was another apartment we lived in)

When I first walked into the Little Library Bookstore in Sierra Vista, I didn’t expect it to become one of my favorite places. It’s a small, quiet bookstore tucked into a corner of the city library, but it’s full of charm. I originally started volunteering there just to gain some work experience for a part-time job. I thought it would be a simple way to earn hours and build a resume—but it quickly turned into something much more meaningful to me. The Little Library Bookstore raises money to support Sierra Vista’s public library. I felt proud knowing that every book I shelved or every customer I helped was directly contributing to something bigger. I wasn’t just organizing books—I was supporting a space that offers access to education, creativity, and opportunity for people of all ages. What surprised me the most was how many kind and interesting people I met along the way. I loved hearing personal stories from visitors about their favorite books, childhood memories of the library, or how reading helped them through difficult times. Those small, sincere moments really stuck with me. Through this experience, I started to realize how important libraries are to the health of a community. Our public library isn’t just a place for books—it’s a free space where people can learn, explore, and connect. It offers access to public computers, internet, and research tools that many people in our city rely on. The library brings people together and creates equal opportunities for those who might not have access at home. As a result of this event, I hope more people in Sierra Vista become aware of just how valuable our library is. I would love to see more kids and teens get excited about reading and learning, or even attending all of the events that the library and the city of Sierra Vista have to offer. From book clubs, pottery classes, to watching movies at the library, it would be so cool to see a community work together more and enjoy each other's company! and I think it would be amazing if more people got involved by volunteering or donating. The more support our library gets, the more programs and resources it can offer. If more people saw the library the way I do now—as a powerhouse of knowledge and community—we could help build a stronger, smarter, and more connected city. Volunteering at the bookstore changed the way I see reading and public spaces. It reminded me that even small acts, like shelving books or recommending a story, can make a big difference.

I remember being obsessed with technology before I started kindergarten. My mother still remembers that I would always watch the troubleshooting channel on DirecTV just for fun. I remember that I would watch it for hours. If a TV or an electronic device broke, I was the first to try to fix it. When I played games on our family’s old Windows 7 desktop, I would also click around programs like Avast Antivirus, even messing around with Command Prompt— though I had no business on cmd at the time. Scanning for viruses and actually deleting threats made me feel like the family's tech superhero. Over the past 14 years, my passion for technology has only grown deeper. Every year I grow older, I become fascinated by the history and impact of computer viruses. I watched documentaries about the world's most dangerous computer viruses and took computer essentials classes online that my mother would find. I wasn't sure at first which specific path in technology I wanted to take, but I knew I was drawn to software, security, and the idea of fighting digital threats. My direction became clear when I attended my local GenCyber bootcamp. That unforgettable week gave me focus and confidence that ignited the spark that has been burning for two years and solidified my goal of studying cybersecurity in college. Recently, I took my first steps into "ethical hacking" by modding my boyfriend’s Wii. It was one of the best days of my life! Bringing a nearly 19-year-old console back to life with CFW (custom firmware) felt like hacking in the most positive, creative sense. Reviving old programs that haven't worked since I was a kid was breathtaking. Today, I spend much of my free time watching videos from creators like Scott the Woz, different modders for retro consoles, people messing around with their VMs, and Scammer Payback. I'm especially entertained by SP's content, who uses his hacking skills to protect others from fraud. His work shows how cybersecurity can have a real human impact. That's what excites me the most about entering this field—I want to help people feel safe in an increasingly digital world, where personal information is always at risk. My journey hasn't been easy. I've lived my whole life with tarsal coalition, a painful condition that limits my mobility and makes it hard to be physically active. I come from a low-income household and was raised by my amazing mother. She works incredibly hard to support me, but with my father's death and with death benefits ending soon, we're facing the loss of half our income. Growing up without a father figure and with ongoing financial uncertainty has been tough, but these challenges have also shaped who I am. They've taught me resilience, determination, and how to problem-solve, qualities that align perfectly with a career in cybersecurity. What excites me the most about tech is that it's always evolving. There's always something new to learn, a new threat to face, whether that be from just a simple worm or trojan to actual cyber warfare and a nation's sensitive information being at risk. I want to be a part of that constant innovation and use it to make a difference. I believe that no matter your background, you can do amazing things if you're passionate enough. I would be incredibly grateful for this opportunity. It would help relieve financial stress and allow me to continue chasing my dream of a career in cybersecurity. I'm ready to work hard, protect others, and prove that with enough drive, anyone can build a future in tech.