Growing up, I learned that one person can have a bigger impact than they realize. Whether it was my parents encouraging my curiosity with monthly Tinker Crate projects, teachers who believed in me, or family members who supported me through difficult times, I wouldn't be where I am today without people who invested in me. Those experiences are a big part of why I want to use my education to give back to others. I'm currently pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity at NJIT. What started as curiosity about how computers worked turned into a passion for building computers, repairing electronics, and teaching myself about networking and cybersecurity through hands-on projects. Technology has become more than just something I enjoy—it has become the career I want to build. At the same time, I know what it feels like to struggle. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education. There were moments when I doubted whether I was capable of succeeding academically. Instead of giving up, I kept working until I was eventually declassified from special education and continued challenging myself in school. More recently, I experienced the unexpected loss of a close family member while taking an 18-credit semester in college. Despite that challenge, I stayed committed to my education, earned a 3.0 GPA, and made the Dean's List. Those experiences taught me resilience and reminded me how important encouragement and support can be. In the future, I hope to use my education to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for others. I've always enjoyed helping friends and family troubleshoot computers, set up devices, and solve technical problems. Seeing someone's frustration turn into confidence after they've learned something new is incredibly rewarding. I want to continue doing that on a larger scale throughout my career. As a Hispanic student, I also hope to encourage more young people from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in STEM. Growing up, I didn't know many people who looked like me working in technology. I want future students to see that they belong in these fields and that their background should never limit what they believe they can achieve. To me, success isn't measured only by the career I build. It's measured by how many people I can help along the way. Whether that's protecting organizations through cybersecurity, mentoring students who are just beginning their journey, or simply encouraging someone who doubts themselves, I want my education to create opportunities not only for me but for others as well. I hope to leave people more confident than I found them, just as others once did for me.

I don't believe I deserve this scholarship because I'm better than anyone else applying. I believe I deserve it because I've worked hard to get where I am, even when the path hasn't always been easy. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education. There were times when I questioned whether I would ever be able to keep up academically, but I refused to let those challenges define me. Through hard work and determination, I was eventually declassified from special education and continued pushing myself academically. Today, I'm pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity at NJIT while maintaining a GPA above 3.0 and earning Dean's List recognition. What also sets me apart is that I don't limit my learning to the classroom. Outside of school, I spend my time building computers, repairing electronics, teaching myself soldering, and working on cybersecurity projects like setting up a Raspberry Pi DNS server, a home NAS server, and a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system. I genuinely enjoy learning because technology is something I'm passionate about, not just something I'm studying for a grade. I've also learned resilience through personal challenges. During my first year of college, I unexpectedly lost a close family member while taking an 18-credit semester. Even during one of the most difficult periods of my life, I remained committed to my education, finished the semester with a 3.0 GPA, and earned a place on the Dean's List. Like many students, I also face financial challenges and have had to rely on student loans while balancing work and school. This scholarship would help reduce that burden and allow me to continue focusing on my education, certifications, and hands-on learning. More than anything, I hope to use my education to build a career in cybersecurity where I can solve problems, protect organizations, and eventually mentor other students who may face challenges similar to the ones I overcame. I may not have had the easiest path, but every obstacle has made me more determined to succeed. I believe that determination, curiosity, and perseverance are what truly set me apart.

I’ve lived in New Jersey my entire life, and it’s shaped who I am in more ways than I probably realized growing up. It’s a place where people work hard, look out for one another, and don’t give up easily. Whether it was spending summers working as a lifeguard in Union or commuting to NJIT, I’ve learned that success isn’t handed to you—you have to earn it. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced started when I was a child. I had learning difficulties and spent several years in special education. There were times when I wondered if I would ever be able to keep up with other students. Instead of letting that define me, I kept working. By eighth grade, I was declassified from special education, and later I challenged myself with honors and AP classes in high school. That experience taught me that progress doesn’t always happen quickly, but hard work eventually pays off. College has brought a different set of challenges. During my first year at NJIT, I unexpectedly lost a close family member while taking an 18-credit semester. It was one of the hardest times in my life, but I stayed committed to my education and finished the semester with a 3.0 GPA, earning a place on the Dean’s List. Moments like that reminded me why perseverance matters and why I never want difficult circumstances to determine my future. Outside of school, I’ve always been drawn to technology. What started with building projects from Tinker Crate kits as a kid eventually grew into building computers, repairing electronics, learning basic soldering, and creating my own cybersecurity projects at home. Today, I’m studying Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity because I enjoy solving problems and learning how technology works behind the scenes. My goal is to build a career where I can help protect organizations from cyber threats while continuing to learn in a field that is constantly evolving. Like many students, paying for college has been a challenge. I’ve had to rely on student loans while balancing work and school, and I know those loans will follow me long after graduation. Receiving this scholarship would help reduce that financial burden and allow me to focus more on my education, certifications, and gaining the experience I need to build a successful career. Growing up in New Jersey taught me resilience, determination, and the value of community. Those lessons have carried me through every challenge I’ve faced, and they continue to motivate me as I work toward my future.

If someone asked me when I became interested in STEM, I honestly couldn't point to just one moment. I've always been the kid who wanted to know how things worked. My parents used to get me Tinker Crate kits every month, and I looked forward to building each project. I wasn't just following the instructions—I wanted to understand why everything worked the way it did. As I got older, that curiosity turned into building computers, repairing electronics, and eventually teaching myself about networking and cybersecurity. That's what led me to pursue Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity at NJIT. I like that technology never stays the same. Every time I learn something new, I realize there's still so much more to discover. Some of my favorite learning hasn't even happened in the classroom. I've spent hours setting up a Raspberry Pi, building a home NAS server, and figuring out how to get a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system working. None of those projects went perfectly the first time, but that's what made them rewarding. Every mistake forced me to slow down, troubleshoot the problem, and learn something new. Being Hispanic has also shaped how I see my future in STEM. Growing up, I didn't know many people who looked like me working in technology. It wasn't something I saw often, and because of that, it sometimes felt like those careers belonged to someone else. The more I've continued my education, the more I've realized how important representation really is. Seeing people with similar backgrounds succeed makes those goals feel possible for the next generation. I've also faced challenges that taught me not to give up easily. I spent years in special education because of learning difficulties, and there were times when I felt like I wasn't as capable as other students. Instead of letting that define me, I kept working until I was declassified and eventually challenged myself with honors and AP classes. That experience changed the way I approach problems. Now, when something doesn't work—whether it's school, a cybersecurity project, or life in general—I don't immediately think I can't do it. I just know I haven't figured it out yet. In the future, I hope to build a career in cybersecurity, but I also want to give back. I want younger Hispanic students to see someone with a background like theirs succeeding in technology and realize they can do the same. Sometimes all someone needs is encouragement or someone willing to answer a question. If I can help someone discover the same excitement for technology that I did, then I'll know I've made a difference.

To me, leadership is not about having a title or being the center of attention. I believe real leadership comes from the way you treat people and the impact you have on others through your actions. One experience that shaped my understanding of leadership happened in middle school when I met a student in my science class who was autistic. At the time, he didn’t really talk to anyone and didn’t have any friends. I noticed that we shared a lot of the same interests, especially in science and technology, so I started talking with him during class. What started as simple conversations slowly became a friendship. I learned that he was incredibly smart, funny, and thoughtful, but many people overlooked him because he struggled socially and communicated differently from others. Over time, I became his first real friend. I started introducing him to my friend group and including him in conversations and activities. At first, he was very quiet and hesitant around other people, but little by little he became more comfortable socializing and opening up. Watching him slowly gain confidence and feel accepted was something that had a huge impact on me. It showed me how much a single act of kindness or inclusion can change someone’s experience and sense of belonging. At the time, I didn’t think of it as leadership. I was simply treating someone the way I would want to be treated. But looking back, I realize leadership often happens through small actions that help others feel supported, included, and valued. That experience taught me that being a leader is not always about leading large groups or receiving recognition. Sometimes it’s about noticing when someone feels alone and making the effort to reach out to them. I think my own experiences growing up helped shape that mindset. I had learning difficulties as a child and spent years in special education programs. I know what it feels like to feel different or underestimated, and because of that, I’ve always tried to be understanding and patient with others. Those experiences taught me empathy and helped me realize how important support and encouragement can be, especially for someone who may feel overlooked. Since then, I’ve carried those lessons into other parts of my life. Working as a lifeguard taught me responsibility, communication, and how to stay calm under pressure while helping keep others safe. In school and through technology, I also enjoy helping classmates, friends, and family solve problems and understand things that may feel difficult at first. To me, leadership means making people feel included and supported, even through small actions. I’ve learned that sometimes being there for one person can make a bigger difference than you realize, and that is the kind of leader I always hope to be.

My career goal is to build a successful career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity, where I can use technology to solve problems, protect systems, and continue learning in a field that is constantly evolving. Ever since I was younger, I’ve been interested in understanding how computers and technology work behind the scenes. Over time, that curiosity grew into hands-on experience building computers, troubleshooting hardware, working on networking and cybersecurity projects, and teaching myself new technical skills outside of the classroom. As I continue my education at NJIT, I hope to gain the experience and knowledge needed to eventually work in cybersecurity, helping organizations protect their systems and information from evolving threats. One activity that unexpectedly helped shape the way I think and approach challenges was playing chess in high school. At first, I saw chess as simply a competitive game, but over time I realized it taught me valuable skills that apply far beyond the chessboard. One of the biggest lessons chess taught me was patience. In chess, rushing decisions usually leads to mistakes. You have to slow down, think ahead, and carefully consider different possibilities before making a move. That mindset has helped me academically and personally, especially in technology where problem solving often requires patience and attention to detail. Chess also taught me how to think strategically and adapt under pressure. Sometimes a game doesn’t go the way you planned, and you have to adjust quickly instead of giving up. I’ve learned that setbacks are part of the process, whether it’s losing a chess match, troubleshooting a technical issue, or facing challenges in school. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education programs, which often made me feel like I had to work harder than other students to succeed. Chess reinforced the idea that persistence and careful thinking matter more than immediate results. Over time, that mindset helped me push myself academically, eventually leading me to take honors and AP classes and continue pursuing difficult coursework in college. Another thing chess taught me was the importance of learning from mistakes. After every match, I would look back at the moves I made and think about what I could have done differently. I approach technology and cybersecurity the same way. When a project or system doesn’t work correctly, I try to analyze the problem, understand what went wrong, and improve from the experience instead of becoming frustrated. That ability to stay calm and think critically has helped me a lot in both my personal projects and my coursework. In the future, I hope to use the same discipline, patience, and problem-solving skills I developed through chess to succeed in cybersecurity and technology. Both chess and cybersecurity involve thinking ahead, analyzing situations carefully, and adapting to unexpected challenges. Technology is constantly changing, and I know I will always need to continue learning and improving. Playing chess taught me that success does not come from one perfect move — it comes from consistency, strategy, and the willingness to keep learning from every challenge you face.

One project I worked on that I’m especially passionate about was building my own home cybersecurity and networking setup using a Raspberry Pi and a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system. What started as simple curiosity eventually became one of the experiences that confirmed I wanted to pursue a future in technology and cybersecurity. I’ve always enjoyed understanding how things work behind the scenes instead of just using them, and this project gave me the opportunity to learn through hands-on experimentation and problem solving. My interest in technology actually started when I was very young. My parents signed me up for monthly Tinker Crate projects, and I loved building things and figuring out how different parts worked together. Those projects made me realize that I enjoyed creating, experimenting, and learning through trial and error. As I got older, I became more interested in computers and electronics. I started building and upgrading computers on my own, troubleshooting hardware issues, and eventually teaching myself basic soldering techniques by repairing game controllers and small electronics. I enjoyed the challenge of taking something broken, figuring out what went wrong, and bringing it back to life. As my interest in technology grew, I became curious about networking and cybersecurity. One of the first projects I worked on was setting up a Raspberry Pi ad-block DNS server to improve network performance and filter malicious domains at home. I spent hours researching how DNS filtering worked, troubleshooting configuration problems, and learning how different parts of a network communicate with each other. That project pushed me to learn independently and become more comfortable solving problems without always having a clear answer immediately available. Wanting to learn more about cybersecurity, I later challenged myself to set up a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system. Through this project, I learned more about threat detection, system monitoring, log analysis, and how organizations monitor suspicious activity across networks and devices. There were definitely moments where things became frustrating. Sometimes I spent hours trying to solve a single issue or configuration problem. But instead of discouraging me, those challenges made me even more interested in the field. I realized I genuinely enjoy the process of troubleshooting, researching, and continuously learning. Working in technology inspires me because it combines creativity, curiosity, and problem solving in a way that constantly pushes you to improve. Technology is always evolving, which means there is always something new to learn and explore. I also like that technology can have a real impact on people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s helping someone fix a problem, improving security, or making systems more accessible, technology has the ability to help people in meaningful ways. In the future, I hope to build a career in cybersecurity where I can use my skills to help protect systems and solve real-world problems. I also want to continue encouraging other students, especially Hispanic students, to pursue careers in STEM and technology fields. Growing up, I learned that curiosity and persistence can take you far, even when challenges make things feel difficult. That mindset continues to motivate me every time I start a new project or learn something new, and it’s one of the biggest reasons why I’m passionate about working in technology.

My interest in technology started when I was very young. I was always curious about how computers and electronics worked instead of just using them. My parents signed me up for monthly Tinker Crate projects as a kid, and I loved building things, experimenting, and figuring out how different parts worked together. As I got older, that curiosity turned into building computers, troubleshooting hardware, and teaching myself things like networking, cybersecurity, and even basic soldering through electronics repair. What really drew me toward technology was the problem-solving aspect of it. I enjoy the process of figuring things out, learning through mistakes, and constantly improving. Over time, I realized this wasn’t just a hobby anymore — it was something I genuinely wanted to pursue as a career. That’s what led me to study Information Technology and Cybersecurity at NJIT. After receiving my degree, my goal is to build a career in cybersecurity and information technology. I’m especially interested in network security, threat detection, and system administration because I enjoy understanding how systems work behind the scenes and how they can be protected from evolving cyber threats. My dream job would allow me to combine technical problem solving with real-world impact by helping organizations keep their systems and data secure. I also hope to continue learning throughout my career because technology is constantly evolving. In the future, I would also like to mentor younger students interested in STEM and encourage more Hispanic students to pursue careers in technology and cybersecurity. I believe I’m a strong candidate for this scholarship because of both my passion for technology and the persistence I’ve shown throughout my academic journey. Growing up, I faced learning difficulties and spent years in special education programs, but I worked hard to overcome those challenges and push myself academically. Since then, I’ve continued challenging myself through advanced coursework, personal technology projects, and independent learning. Outside of school, I’ve built computers, worked on cybersecurity and networking projects, repaired electronics through soldering, and continued developing my technical skills through hands-on experience. At the same time, I’ve balanced academics with working as a lifeguard since 2021, which taught me leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. This scholarship would help support my education and allow me to continue building the skills and experience needed to succeed in the technology field while continuing to grow personally and professionally.

One project that really reflects my curiosity and creativity was building my own home cybersecurity and networking setup using a Raspberry Pi and a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system. My interest in technology and problem solving started long before college. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved taking things apart, experimenting, and figuring out how things worked. My parents even signed me up for a Tinker Crate subscription when I was younger, where I would receive monthly hands-on projects to build and experiment with. Those projects introduced me to the idea that learning could come from curiosity, creativity, and trial and error instead of simply memorizing information. Looking back, I think that experience played a big role in shaping the way I approach problems today. As I got older, my interest in technology continued growing. I started building and upgrading computers on my own, learning how hardware worked together and troubleshooting problems whenever something failed. Instead of getting discouraged when things didn’t work, I actually enjoyed trying to figure out what went wrong. Over time, I became interested in electronics repair and taught myself basic soldering techniques by repairing game controllers and damaged components. I started with simple fixes, but eventually learned how to replace joystick modules, repair ribbon cable connections, and work with small electronic parts carefully and patiently. Soldering taught me that even tiny mistakes matter, and it improved both my attention to detail and problem-solving skills. As my skills developed, I became more interested in networking and cybersecurity. One of the first projects I worked on was creating a Raspberry Pi ad-block DNS server to filter malicious domains and improve network performance at home. I enjoyed researching how networks communicate and learning how security tools could protect systems in the background without most people ever realizing it. Wanting to challenge myself further, I later set up a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system to better understand cybersecurity, threat detection, and system monitoring. There were plenty of moments where things didn’t work properly, and I often spent hours troubleshooting configurations, fixing errors, and researching solutions online. Instead of seeing those setbacks as failures, I started seeing them as part of the learning process. I think that mindset has shaped the way I approach challenges both inside and outside of technology. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education programs, which taught me patience and perseverance early in life. Because of that experience, I learned how to break problems into smaller steps, stay persistent, and continue working even when progress feels slow. Whether I’m troubleshooting a network issue, soldering a damaged component, or dealing with challenges in school, I approach problems with the belief that there is always a solution if I’m willing to keep learning and trying. In the future, I hope to use that problem-solving mindset to make a positive impact through technology and cybersecurity. Technology plays such a major role in everyday life, yet many people still feel intimidated or left behind by it. I want to help make technology safer, more accessible, and easier to understand for others. More than anything, I want to continue learning, creating, and using my skills to help people solve real problems in meaningful ways.

I’m currently a Junior at NJIT pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity. Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been curious about how technology works behind the scenes. While most people were focused on simply using computers or playing games, I became interested in understanding what made everything function. That curiosity eventually turned into a passion for building computers, troubleshooting hardware, and learning more about networking and cybersecurity through both school and personal projects. Over time, technology became more than just an interest for me — it became something I genuinely enjoy learning about every day. Outside of the classroom, I spend a lot of time building hands-on experience through personal technology projects. I’ve built and upgraded computers, repaired electronics and game controllers, set up a home NAS server, and experimented with Raspberry Pi networking and cybersecurity tools. One of the projects I’m most proud of was creating a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system to learn more about threat detection and system monitoring. I enjoy challenging myself to learn independently because technology is always evolving, and there is always something new to improve or figure out. At the same time, my journey has not always been easy. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education programs. There were times when I felt discouraged or doubted myself because I had to work harder than many other students just to keep up academically. However, those experiences taught me resilience, patience, and determination. Instead of allowing those challenges to define me, I used them as motivation to continue improving and pushing myself further. By eighth grade, I was declassified from special services, and later I challenged myself by taking honors and AP courses in high school. Those experiences helped me realize that perseverance and consistency can overcome obstacles that once seem impossible. I’ve also worked as a lifeguard since 2021, which has taught me responsibility, teamwork, leadership, and how to stay calm under pressure. Working closely with people every day showed me the importance of patience, communication, and helping others feel supported and safe. Those experiences have shaped the kind of person I want to become both professionally and personally. In the future, I hope to use my education and skills to improve my community by making technology more accessible and easier to understand for others. Technology plays such a major role in everyday life, yet many people still feel overwhelmed or left behind by it. I want to help bridge that gap by using my knowledge to support underserved communities and encourage younger students, especially Hispanic students, to pursue careers in STEM and technology. Representation matters, and I know how important encouragement can be for students who may feel overlooked or unsure of themselves. I also hope to build a career in cybersecurity where I can help organizations and individuals protect their systems and information from evolving threats. As technology continues to grow, cybersecurity becomes more important every day, and I want to be part of a field that helps keep people and businesses safe. More importantly, I want to continue learning, helping others, and showing that challenges do not determine someone’s future. Through education, hard work, and persistence, I hope to create opportunities not only for myself, but for others in my community as well.

When I was younger, I was always the person who wanted to know how things worked instead of just using them. I remember taking apart old electronics, watching videos about computers, and spending hours trying to figure out why something worked the way it did. The first time I built a computer on my own, I made mistakes, connected things wrong, and spent hours troubleshooting, but I loved every part of the process. That curiosity eventually turned into a passion for technology and led me to pursue a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity at NJIT. What interests me most about this field is that technology is constantly evolving. There is always something new to learn, improve, or solve. I enjoy the challenge that comes with troubleshooting problems and understanding what’s happening behind the scenes of systems and networks. Cybersecurity especially stands out to me because technology plays such a major role in everyday life, and protecting information and systems has become more important than ever. I want to build a career where I can help organizations and people stay secure while continuing to grow and adapt within the field myself. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time building hands-on experience through personal projects. I’ve built and upgraded computers, repaired electronics and game controllers, set up a home NAS server, and experimented with Raspberry Pi networking and cybersecurity tools. One project I’m especially proud of was setting up a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system to learn more about threat detection and security monitoring. These experiences have helped me become more independent, patient, and confident in my ability to solve problems through persistence and research. At the same time, my path has not always been easy. Growing up, I had learning difficulties and spent years in special education programs. There were moments where I felt discouraged and behind compared to other students. I often had to work twice as hard just to keep up academically. Instead of letting that define me, I used it as motivation to prove to myself that I was capable of more. By eighth grade, I was declassified from special services, and later I challenged myself by taking honors and AP courses in high school. That experience taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of believing in yourself even when progress feels slow. More recently, I experienced the unexpected loss of a close family member while balancing an 18-credit semester in college. It was one of the hardest periods of my life emotionally and academically. Even during that difficult time, I stayed committed to my education, earned a 3.0 GPA, and made the Dean’s List. That experience reminded me that perseverance is not about never struggling — it’s about continuing to move forward even when things feel overwhelming. In the future, I hope to use my education and skills not only to build a successful career in cybersecurity, but also to help others feel more comfortable and confident with technology. I want to continue learning, solving problems, and showing other students, especially those who face challenges or setbacks, that obstacles do not define what they are capable of achieving.

The first time I built a computer, I remember staring at a pile of tangled wires and components spread across my desk, wondering if I had made a mistake taking everything apart. I connected what I thought was the right cable, pressed the power button, and nothing happened. Even though I was frustrated, I couldn’t stop trying to figure out what went wrong. That moment is what really sparked my interest in technology. I realized I enjoyed understanding how things work behind the scenes just as much as using them. Since then, technology has become more than just a hobby for me. I am currently a Junior at NJIT pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Cybersecurity. What interests me most about the field is how constantly evolving it is. There is always something new to learn, whether it’s cybersecurity, networking, cloud systems, or hardware troubleshooting. I enjoy solving problems and learning how systems communicate, operate, and stay secure. Cybersecurity especially interests me because technology has become such an important part of everyday life, and protecting systems and information is more important than ever. Outside of the classroom, I spend a lot of time working on personal technology projects that help me build hands-on experience. I’ve built and upgraded multiple computers, troubleshooting hardware and optimizing performance for gaming and productivity. I also created a home NAS server for backup and media storage, where I configured user permissions and network file sharing. Another project I’m proud of was setting up a Raspberry Pi ad-block DNS server to filter malicious domains and improve network performance at home. Recently, I also deployed a self-hosted Wazuh security monitoring system to learn more about cybersecurity, threat detection, and system monitoring. In addition to working with computers, I’ve also become interested in electronics repair and micro-soldering. I’ve repaired game controllers by diagnosing hardware problems, replacing damaged parts, and performing basic soldering work. These experiences taught me patience and problem-solving because troubleshooting technology often takes persistence and creativity. Although I haven’t been heavily involved in clubs yet at NJIT, I’ve focused a lot of my time on developing my technical skills through coursework and independent learning. My classes in networking, cloud administration, programming, and cybersecurity fundamentals have strengthened my knowledge and motivated me to continue exploring the field outside the classroom. I’ve also balanced academics with working as a lifeguard since 2021, where I developed leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that I know will help me in any future career. Technology is a field that constantly challenges me to think critically and continue learning, which is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about it. In the future, I hope to build a career in cybersecurity where I can use both my technical skills and problem-solving abilities to help protect systems and make technology safer and more reliable for others.