In the realm of technology, where innovation often takes center stage, the story of Valerie L. Thomas, the brilliant mind behind the illusion transmitter, captivated my imagination and fueled my aspirations. Growing up as a young black girl, I was blissfully unaware of the extraordinary contributions of individuals who looked like me, especially in fields dominated by racial disparities. Valerie's narrative emerged as a revelation during Black History Month, shattering preconceptions and laying the foundation for a newfound sense of purpose. Valerie's invention of the illusion transmitter, utilizing concave mirrors and rays of light to create a 3D image, earned her a patent in 1980. The fact that a black woman had revolutionized technology in such a profound way was astonishing and, for me, paradigm-shifting. It was Chance The Rapper's tweet that brought her into the spotlight, a spotlight that revealed a hidden figure whose story needed to be shared. Valerie's journey began at NASA in 1964, a time marked by racial tensions and the challenges of Jim Crow. As a mathematician/data analyst, she navigated a path fraught with obstacles, showcasing resilience and commitment to her craft. Reading about her contributions to projects like the Quick Look Processors for the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory and the "Landsat" satellite, I realized that Valerie's story was not just about groundbreaking inventions but also about overcoming systemic barriers. Her early exposure to optics and electronics through her father's interests resonated with my own experiences. The red light bulb in the kitchen, the film processing, and the curiosity sparked by the mechanical parts inside a TV mirrored the environment of my childhood. Valerie's story became a mirror reflecting the potential within me, challenging the notion that certain career paths were beyond my reach. Valerie's dedication to learning, even when faced with unfamiliar challenges, inspired me to embrace education not merely for grades but for the joy of understanding. Her journey through Morgan State University, where she majored in physics and tackled Calculus head-on, demonstrated the power of determination in the face of adversity. This revelation, this hidden figure in the world of technology, has become a guiding light in my journey. Valerie L. Thomas's story proves that representation matters, and through her accomplishments, she has opened doors for others like me. As I navigate my own path, fueled by curiosity and a love for learning, Valerie's legacy reminds me that resilience and a passion for breaking barriers can indeed change the trajectory of one's life. In conclusion, Valerie L. Thomas's story is more than a narrative of technological innovation; it is a testament to the transformative power of representation and determination. As I embark on my own journey, her story serves as a constant reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams know no boundaries.

Dear Scholarship Committee, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to you today to share my story and express my deep passion for pursuing an education in STEM. I understand that scholarships are highly competitive, and I hope to convey to you my perseverance and tenacity that have brought me this far. To give some background, my name is Jennell Greer, and I graduated from high school in March 2019. I started college in September of that year but faced a series of setbacks that made it difficult for me to continue my studies. I dropped out of school in October 2020, tried again in January 2021 but dropped out again in April. I tried once more in August 2021 and ultimately dropped out yet again. It wasn't until August 2022 that I finally went back to school and passed my classes with a B average. Now, in July 2023, I am looking to continue my education and pursue my passion for STEM. Despite my many mishaps and flaws, I want to help you understand the person behind these faults. In September 2019, at the start of my college education, I saw my mom broken emotionally for the first time. She had too many battles to fight, so I stepped up and tried my best to comfort and take care of my two siblings while continuing my studies. For a few months, everything seemed great, until they weren't. In October 2020, my cousin and best friend passed away in a car accident, and I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't continue my studies. It took me a year to finally gain traction in life. Earning my degree in business analytics from Arizona State was just another step in the right direction, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough aid or personal finance to continue my pursuit of my degree. I am extremely determined to succeed, and I hope you can see my tenacity. I understand that scholarships are highly competitive, and I don't know if there is anything you can do to help me financially, but if you can, I would be extremely grateful. I am not looking for a handout; I am looking for a hand up. I hope you can see my dedication to my education and strength in my actions. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope to hear back from you soon. Best regards,
A passionate student

As a young child, I was an analytical- thinker, always wanting to know how things worked. I would spend countless hours tinkering with gadgets and trying to figure out how they functioned. This curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in computer science. I am passionate about exploring the world of coding and programming, and I am eager to learn more about the latest advancements in technology. I believe that a degree in computer science will not only equip me with essential skills but also allow me to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. After receiving my degree, I aspire to pursue a career in business intelligence analytics. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with other professionals to help teams to analyze and understand business problems or opportunities, also undertaking research and analysis to understand how a business or business area works, considering the people, organization, processes, information, data, and technology that can make a difference in people's lives. I believe that business intelligence analytics is an excellent career path because it combines my technical skills with my desire to make a positive impact on society. I believe that I am the ideal candidate to receive this scholarship because of my passion for solving complex problems and my commitment to excellence. I have demonstrated my dedication to computer science by earning various certifications(Google Analytics, DataCamp, Azure; etc) and extracurricular activities, such as participating in coding competitions and attending tech conferences. I am also actively involved in projects that use technology to address social issues. Receiving this scholarship would enable me to continue pursuing my passion for computer science without worrying about the financial burden of college. It would provide me with the resources to focus on my studies and gain valuable experience through internships and other career opportunities.

Tyler Perry once said ,"If you never try, you've failed". This quote changed my directory in life. It was around late 2019 when life took a turn. I lost everything I knew from relationships, to people, to scholarships, and even myself. I had just started school when my mom informed me that my stepdad broke her trust; see she was the strongest woman I have ever encountered in life, but for the first time I saw her broken. For months on end I had to become Mom to my siblings because my mother could barely even bring herself to eat let alone care for children. This was a rough time, but the struggles didn't end there. To give a timeframe September 2019, I lost a life-long relationship with my stepfather, in March 2020 a friend of mine was murdered, in May 2020 my little sister's Great Grandmother passed away, and on October 30th, 2020, my best friend/ brother/ cousin passed away in a car accident. After all, this happened. I tried to continue going to school while trying to help my family through grieving; therefore, I NEVER gave myself a chance to; Soon, I was diagnosed with Severe Depression, I felt defeated and hopeless; At least until I heard Tyler Perry say those profound words, "If you never try, you've failed". At that moment, I decided to at least try to give myself an opportunity to heal or just not be stuck in a constant state of depression. Even though I lost my scholarships and was/ still am battling depression, as unconventional as it is, education is my outlet, I started looking into different programs through Google, Coursera, and other outlets for potential certification programs that I felt would be a good fit for me ;That's when I came across certificate courses in Data Analytics, Marketing, and Business. Once enrolled in these programs, I soared; I earned certifications in Google Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Revenue Management. This has lead to me continuing my education by pursuing my BAS in Business Analytics. I hope that through sharing my story with mentees, they too can learn that circumstance doesn't always determine outcome. It can be extremely frustrating to try and look past your current conditions when so much is happening around you, so I plan to be an example for others for what's possible. Sometimes one simple sentence to change a person's entire life trajectory.

Growing up in the south, I’ve experienced racism and colorism ; unfortunately, I’ve experienced more colorism than racism. I remember times as a young child where I would go to the store with my grandad and kids, adults as well, would talk about how ugly I was because I have darker skin. People would even go as far to say I was scary or I shouldn’t even exist. Given that I was only around the age of 5, I hated myself so much and all I wanted to do was change. Several years later, in middle school, I was bullied the most. I would always get compared to the color of the street, or when lights turned off in the classroom people would say “ Where did she go?”, and call my name loudly, pretending I wasn’t there. There were times when I would be asked, “Are you from Africa”, or comments would be said like, “ You must be African”. At the time, to me it felt like something bad to hear, I felt like being compared to a country that has lots of dark women was an insult. I honestly bought into the ignorance around me, until 8th grade. I had an epiphany and I could almost fully understand that I wasn’t a mistake and being compared to strong black women, whether they’re from Africa or anywhere else wasn’t an insult. I learned how to be unapologetically me. High school came in the following years, which truthfully change my perspective on life. I was able to experience two every different high schools, one had majority African American students, and the other was the most diverse school I’ve ever attended. At my first high school, I had the same issues I was having before with bullying, but at my second high school I felt accepted and didn’t nearly have as many issues as I had throughout my entire life. This is when I started to look into bio behavioral and psychological factors. I came to the conclusion the bullying and hate I received was because of generations of self hate, oppression, and a constant power struggle within the black community. At that very moment I knew I wanted to change the world. I knew that the only way the future generations and my own generation could change was through education and acceptance. I took upon myself to take criminal justice courses, interned with judges, and did many other things to learn how I could help my community. This lead me to where I am today, in college studying Political Science. I want to continue to learn about socially, biology, and psychology so that I can understand perspectives in life and maybe help others understand multiple perspectives as well. I feel like my experience as a black girl to a women in America has enlightened me and has helped with developing my drive to fix inequality whether it’s colorism, social injustice, or racism. I will change the world for better.