What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In my junior year of high school, I joined a coalition called Girls Security, focusing on the aspects of national security, including how computer systems serve as our nation's backbone and its weaknesses. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. As a young person entering this field, I believe that my experience witnessing cyber attacks and observing past case studies provides a unique perspective on how to advance security protocols, as well as how to make these solutions more accessible. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries. Not only is protecting the most vulnerable important, but making sure the information is digested by the client so they’re able to take away lessons and tools to become more digitally literate over time. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge and love for computer information systems and technology. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast shocked me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. Through hands-on learning, I concluded that the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and indications that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. Most people are not exposed to basic security hygiene practices because the idea seems so daunting, but if my work through trial and error has taught me anything, it’s that even the most complicated topic can always be made accessible to the most inexperienced person. This scholarship would allow me to study cybersecurity at the collegiate level and help me achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a cybersecurity analyst and aid as a liaison for ordinary individuals to learn digital security and hygiene practices to better protect themselves and their families. My ultimate goal is to run my own cybersecurity firm to better assist companies and institutions that may be vulnerable to cyberattacks but do not have access to large IT departments to keep them safe. In my daily life, community service has been an integral part of what I do in my free time. My school often allowed us to explore different organizations we could get involved in to help supplement our service learning and throughout my high school years I’ve served in several capacities. My favorite projects have been the ones where I get to work with youth. I have served as a Near Peer for a year at a local elementary school, teaching girls between the grades of Tk-2nd different STEM concepts through the use of hands on projects. my favorite part of getting to serve is seeing the delight on their faces when they make a discovery or invent something new. During our lego unit, we often asked the girls to build their own projects and one of the girls created her dream playground structure. It was inspiring for me to see how they are using projects like these to adress their needs and build something special from their imaginations. In the future I hope to be able to work with the youth, especially young girls in my college community. Being a source of representation as a woman of color is important to me because I wish I had someone as passionate about learning as I was when I was little.

I had always enjoyed my STEM classes growing up. The satisfaction of solving a complicated algebra problem, the thrill of studying animal habitats, or studying the stars, followed me all through my educational years. During high school, I took coding classes, studied biology, and the science of how the Earth functions. In the fall of my senior year, I was presented with a chance to spread that love to girls who had just begun their academic journey just a few blocks away from my high school. At Scientific Adventures for Girls, I was tasked with becoming a Near Peer, a student volunteer who assists the head teachers who bring accessible STEM lessons to girls in TK - 2nd grades. From the moment I entered the classroom for the first time, I was absolutely elated to be there. I watched the girls engage with their friends to see who could build the best bird habitat or jellyfish, how excited they were when their toy cars actually worked on a racetrack, and what experiments they could make with their slime on any given day. What fulfilled my work even more was being a source of representation in their lives. I remember vividly being in coding classes in elementary school and being the only girl of color present. It was often isolating and a little bit discouraging, but with Scientific Adventures for Girls, I get to break that cycle that made me feel invisible when I was younger. Despite most of the girls in class being members of minority groups, I was the only leader who reflected their backgrounds, and it made connecting with them in the classroom that much easier. They often came to me to share their projects or ask for help, and being able to share my love of STEM and open their eyes to different fields brought joy to my day, reminding me of when I wished there were a girl who looked like me sharing her love of science. I continue serving with Scientific Adventures for Girls to help promote the same spark of joy I was gifted so many years ago, and I hope to inspire the girls I mentor to be brave and follow their love for STEM even when it feels isolating. They never know who else they may inspire in the future when they continue to do what they love and hold dear to them.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In my junior year of high school, I joined a coalition called Girls Security, focusing on the aspects of national security, including how computer systems serve as our nation's backbone and its weakness. I connected with experts who had worked in organizations like the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency to help solve real-world case studies and innovate solutions using my passion for cybersecurity as my inspiration. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. As a young person entering this field, I believe that my experience witnessing cyber attacks provides a unique perspective on how to advance security protocols and make these solutions more accessible. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge and love for computer information systems and technology. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In my junior year of high school, I joined a coalition called Girls Security, focusing on the aspects of national security, including how computer systems serve as our nation's backbone and its weakness. I connected with experts who had worked in organizations like the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency to help solve real-world case studies and innovate solutions using my passion for cybersecurity as my inspiration. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. As a young person entering this field, I believe that my experience witnessing cyber attacks provides a unique perspective on how to advance security protocols and make these solutions more accessible. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge and love for computer information systems and technology. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In my junior year of high school, I joined a coalition called Girls Security, focusing on the aspects of national security, including how computer systems serve as our nation's backbone and its weakness. I connected with experts who had worked in organizations like the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency to help solve real-world case studies and innovate solutions using my passion for cybersecurity as my inspiration. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. As a young person entering this field, I believe that my experience witnessing cyber attacks and observing past case studies provides a unique perspective on how to advance security protocols, as well as how to make these solutions more accessible. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries. Not only is protecting the most vulnerable important, but making sure the information is digested by the client so they’re able to take away lessons and tools to become more digitally literate over time. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge and love for computer information systems and technology. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

I thought I had conquered my fear of math. By senior year, I was fulfilling a dream my six-year-old self had held onto: acing an advanced math class without the weight of pressure, proving I could overcome my fears.It hadn’t always been this way. My irrational fear of math began in second grade. No matter how hard I tried, my understanding never matched my teacher’s explanations, leaving me frustrated and discouraged. My mother arranged for a tutor, and with guidance, I gradually built confidence. By middle school, math had become enjoyable, and high school algebra and pre-calculus felt like second nature. I believed I had finally overcome my fear.Then senior year arrived. Encouraged by my counselor and past success, I registered for AP Calculus AB. I was ready for a challenge or so I thought. The first test shattered that confidence. From the first problem, my old fears resurfaced. I completed the exam, hoping for the best. Two weeks later, I stared in disbelief at a dark blue F in my digital gradebook. My meticulously maintained record had never suffered such a blow.I was devastated, and my parents were concerned. My teacher, new to the school, had no system to help students improve, leaving me to figure out how to recover on my own. Initially, I tried to study alone, pouring hours into practice problems, but my grades didn’t improve. Panic set in. After my second failed exam, I silenced my stubborn “I can do it alone” voice and returned to tutoring. Step by step, I relearned the concepts, rebuilt my confidence, and finally saw my efforts pay off. This experience taught me that even 100% effort does not guarantee success. I learned to give myself grace, persevere, and seek help when needed as a sign of strength, not weakness. I discovered that setbacks do not define my abilities, and determination can carry me through challenges I once thought were not achievable. By the end of the year, I had not only improved my grade but also reclaimed my confidence and love for math. I realized that new challenges will always arise, but the lessons I’ve learned about resilience, humility, and perseverance will keep me grounded and prepared to pursue my goals. As I continue to learn about the world of computer science, I take my lessons and struggle with me. I know the road to achieving my goal of becoming a cybersecurity analyst won’t be easy, but nothing worth fighting for ever is. While the troubles of academia will not be something I can outrun while in college, knowing how to persevere in the face of challenge will help guide me through my next four years as a student.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries.. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries.. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

What would happen if a malicious actor used information technology to cripple our ability to perform basic daily functions, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. When I first saw the headlines detailing the cyber-attack, I was shocked. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue and prevent the next disaster from happening?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents and listening to experts, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and stay curious about this topic. This furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. In the technological age, new methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. My goal is to fix that by becoming a cybersecurity analyst. Cybersecurity analysts are important when focusing on bridging the gap between the technical components of digital security, like encryption, passkeys, and firewalls. I plan to use my strong public speaking skills and the work I’ve done mentoring others to bridge my passion for technological know-how with community education and pioneer my own firm. While many corporations and large companies have access to a whole IT team to be on the lookout for malicious software and do checks to tighten up their security, many critical institutions, small businesses, and everyday people lack the resources or time to be as thorough, which is why I would cater my services of analysis and network patching to those industries.. The work I’m able to achieve is only possible through higher learning and the chance to deepen my knowledge. This is why I’m so ecstatic to grow my understanding of cybersecurity in my next four years at Hampton University. Through my college education, I aspire to make connections with like-minded individuals, build projects and coalitions as building blocks to my ultimate goal, and give back to my community using the fruits of my labor.

Imagine technology becoming crippled, eliminating our ability to communicate or conduct basic functions of our daily lives, such as driving to the store? Well, in 2021, that's exactly what happened when a company named Colonial Pipeline fell victim to a cybersecurity breach. Colonial Pipeline is one of the largest fuel distributors in the country, and it had to shut down its operating systems for days due to a cybersecurity breach in its systems, leading to a major disruption in our nation's fuel supply. When I first saw the headlines detailing the massive cyber-attack on the Colonial gas pipelines, I was shocked. Somehow, the technology that encompassed such a vital system was brought to its knees with some lines of code and the power of the Internet. Hearing stories of the panic and fuel stockpiling by people on the East Coast concerned me, as this shutdown directly impacted my family members. It would later be known as the biggest cyberattack on oil infrastructure in history. My next thought was, “Who would help fix this issue?” and "How could we prevent this disaster in the first place?” From that day on, I had a new fixation on an industry that I had only seen in movies–cybersecurity. I really wanted to learn more about the technicians who would analyze the hidden programs that impact everything from determining how secure a search engine is to banking programs that can protect the assets of billions of people across the globe. Through discussions with my parents, I learned that this industry needed more people with my desire to learn and curiosity about this topic, which furthered my pursuit to learn as much as possible about the connections between cybersecurity and our nation's security. The word "cyber-security" soon followed me everywhere I went. Post-COVID, everyone seemed to be online, and since everyone was online, that also meant that hackers were looking for newer, juicier targets to extort. New methods of verification, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are now commonplace in devices, and with that comes the challenge of maintaining security and preventing misuse and theft of biometric data. Additionally, the future of the military has become more intertwined with the safety of technology. More automated methods of war, including drones, databases, and digital correspondence, are heavily reliant on secure connections that are able to withstand new types of breaches as adversaries match the capabilities of our allies. As a young person entering this field, I believe that my experience witnessing cyber attacks will allow me to provide a unique perspective on how to advance security protocols, as well as how to make valuable technology more accessible. In my opinion, the most pressing concern related to digital security is the lack of safeguards and giveaways that indicate that a website, passcode, or email may cause harm to a user. Most people are not exposed to basic security hygiene practices because the idea seems so daunting, but if my work as a student mentor has taught me anything, it’s that even the most complicated topic can always be made accessible to the most inexperienced person. Cybersecurity will become an ever-present field in our lives. With the types of attacks and protection techniques constantly evolving as time goes on, I look forward to furthering my knowledge in both college and through personal exploration.