My experience with mental illness has changed my entire family's life tremendously. My aunt suffers from mental health issues and drug abuse. Throughout the years there have been numerous attempts to help my aunt, by my mother and another aunt. There have been hospitalizations and entire family interventions. However, our attempts have been unsuccessful. So, on June 1, 2022, her son, my six-year-old cousin, became my little brother. He has been removed from two different homes in the last year by DHR and now lives with us. I'm not going to lie at times it has been hard. We have all had to adjust in many ways and learn as we go. My parents now have four children ranging from ages twenty-four to six. Our house is loud and there are often toys lying around. We are all building trust. Schoolwork has been a struggle for Jaxon because he has ADHD and the last home he was in only sent him to school 21 days last year. He missed everything he needed in kindergarten. We work with him every night trying to get him caught up . I can only imagine what he has been through, but he still has a smile on his face every day. He is now in a loving and supportive home but I'm sure that there are "scars" I could never understand. Jaxon has taught me about resilience and never giving up. He has also taught me not to take for granted the love, devotion and security I have always received from my family. I believe moving forward that these lessons will help this student from rural Alabama to continue his Information Technology Education after high school with confidence. Because I know that I have a strong support system and foundation that has prepared me for my next journey. My future goals include attending the University of South Alabama (Mobile) where I will study Computer Information/Information Technology degree with a focus on cybersecurity. I have already been accepted to the University of South Alabama, which is my number one college choice based on its major offerings and cyber scholars’ program. They also have homeland security affiliations that provide opportunities for internships. I am committed to this endeavor as I have already earned two IT certifications through the Eden Career and Technical Center Information Technology Program during high school. I am currently a Senior at St. Clair County High School and Eden Career Technical Center where I am passionate about all things IT and Robotics. I will be obtaining additional certifications and work experience (I worked a SUMM22 IT Tech position with the St. Clair County School System last summer re-imaging, inventorying and troubleshooting the county's student laptops last summer) before I graduate from high school in 2023. With the certifications I already have, I could go right into the workforce after high school. However, I will continue with a post-secondary education that will prepare me for a more specific career in cybersecurity. After researching tuition, I know that this scholarship would make a big impact on my education at the University of South Alabama, which is where I know I need to be. I am working my way toward an exciting future, and I thank you for considering me for your scholarship.

I am currently a Senior at St. Clair County High School and Eden Career Technical Center where I am enthusiastic about all things Computer Science/Information Technology and Robotics. While attending Eden Career Technical Center I have also grown into a leader. I represent Eden Career Technical Center as an Ambassador, the Robotics Team as a Lead Notebook Developer, the National Technical Honor Society as Vice-President and my fellow-students as a Peer Helper. As an ECTC Peer Helper I have the opportunity to help others. I completed specific peer helper training so I can assist fellow students who are struggling emotionally, socially, or academically, with the support of a peer with whom they can identify. I am not there to tell others how to act or what to do in a given situation. Instead, peer helpers listen, share our own experiences, discuss possible consequences of a situation, identify possible solutions, but do not give advice. In short, I help by becoming a confidant for other peers. Although I do not plan to join the military, I do hope to contribute to the safety of our service people through my chosen career path. I have several family members and people that I am close to who served our military honorably, including my grandfather. My family knows first -hand the hard work, dedication and discipline involved in military life. My grandfather passed away in 2020 but his lessons and example live on through his children and grandchildren. In the fall of 2023, I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology with a focus on Cybersecurity/CyberDefense from the University of South Alabama. They are my number one college choice based on their major offerings and cyber scholars’ program. This degree will allow me to expand upon my current Information Technology knowledge base and work experience and allow me to choose a specialized focus in cybersecurity. The University of South Alabama also has homeland security affiliations that provide opportunities for internships, which equals work experience and networking within my field of choice. I am committed to this journey as I have already earned two IT certifications through the Eden Career and Technical Center Information Technology Program and will be obtaining additional certifications prior to my graduation from high school in May of 2023. I am currently participating in the HACKABIT ethical hacking competition and have advanced to round two. I have worked as a SUMM22- IT employee for the St. Clair County Board of Education, where I re-imaged, did some troubleshooting, cleaned, and inventoried all student laptops for the St. Clair County School System. I loved my job and will return this summer to work before leaving for college in the Fall. With the certifications and work experience I already have; I could go right into the workforce after graduation. However, I want to continue with a post- secondary education that will prepare me for more specific field requirements in cybersecurity. After researching tuition, I know that this scholarship will help me as I continue my education at the University of South Alabama, which is where I know I need to be. They are a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and offer Cybercorp internship programs through state and federal agencies. I believe that between access to innovative technology, additional education and internship/work experience I am working my way towards an exciting future. This future will allow me to identify and defend our country and communities against cyber-crime and cyber-security breaches. I thank you for considering me for your scholarship. Respectfully, Jacob OBarr