I grew up in Texas and learned early on that opportunities aren't always distributed equally. Instead, progress often comes through perseverance, community spirit, and dedication. Throughout my schooling, I was actively involved in band, which became one of the most formative experiences of my life. I played various brass instruments—trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, and tuba—in the marching band, wind ensemble band, and trombone quintent, and also learned the basics of trumpet. These experiences fostered discipline, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility towards others. Band taught me more than just music. I learned to work towards larger goals, manage my time effectively under pressure, and support others while simultaneously striving for excellence. Self-confidence, communication skills, and accountability are essential for ensemble playing, and these skills still shape my approach to challenges today. I also played bass trombone with the Laredo Indoor Winds, an indoor marching band. This experience further strengthened my adaptability and diligence, as it demanded precision, teamwork, and commitment far beyond what traditional education offered. In addition to my artistic pursuits, I volunteered throughout my school years. I regularly participated in blood drives at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center and supported projects that directly impacted the lives of people in my community. I also tutored other students in math and science, particularly in calculus and chemistry. Tutoring allowed me to engage academically while simultaneously helping my peers gain confidence in subjects they struggled with. These experiences reinforced my belief that social engagement doesn't always require grand gestures, but rather consistent and meaningful contributions. After high school, I chose a career in emergency medical services, where I could directly help my community in times of need. This experience significantly shaped my later academic goals in computer science and technology. My professional goal is to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology by developing systems that improve efficiency, accessibility, and patient outcomes. I want to leverage technology to support healthcare providers and strengthen the systems our communities rely on in times of need. I aim to make a positive impact by combining my technical skills with practical experience in the service sector. Whether it's healthcare software, emergency response systems, or technology solutions for the public good, my goal is to improve care and information delivery. This scholarship will alleviate my financial burden and allow me to pursue my studies without incurring unnecessary debt, enabling me to focus on public service, innovation, and civic engagement in the future.

Embarking on a life in higher education was not a simple or linear journey for me. I was raised in a single-parent household after my father left when I was young. My mother raised my three siblings and me alone. From a young age, I experienced the harsh reality of financial hardship. Bills were a constant burden, and a stable life often felt fragile. Yet, through these difficulties, my mother taught me the true meaning of resilience. She worked tirelessly to keep our family together, never giving up in the face of adversity, and her determination and love for us never wavered. My mother's perseverance shaped my values ​​and work ethic. I learned early on that education is not a given, but an opportunity that requires discipline and sacrifice. Throughout high school, I dedicated myself to my studies and achieved honors. In my final year, I earned my EMT certification. This achievement represented not only academic success but also a lifelong commitment. My mother embodied my desire to help others and make a meaningful contribution to my community. After graduation, financial circumstances required me to act quickly. To support my family and alleviate my mother's burden, I began working long, demanding shifts as an EMT. While many of my classmates went straight to college, I made the difficult decision to postpone my higher education. I took on most of the household responsibilities, including shopping, paying bills, electricity, car repairs, and caregiving. It wasn't easy, but I put my family first and accepted these responsibilities without hesitation. Amidst these many responsibilities, there were moments of deep connection and meaning that empowered me. I helped my younger brother with his sports, attending as many of his games as possible to foster his confidence. I supported my sister through a suicide attempt and comforted my older sister after a miscarriage. I also cared for my mother after her surgery, just as she had always cared for us. Throughout every challenging period, my family has supported me, reminding me that strength comes from unity. Now, I am continuing my studies with renewed motivation. Through my experiences, an unwavering sense of responsibility has blossomed within me—a responsibility not only for my own success but also to support my family and the community that raised me. This scholarship means more than just financial assistance; it provides me with the opportunity to persevere, dedicate myself, and continue on my path filled with hope. Thanks to this support, I can focus on completing my studies, honoring my mother's sacrifices, and building a future that breaks the cycle of disadvantage for future generations.

My name is Jesus Vazquez, and I am an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. My journey has not been easy; however, challenges are what mold us into who we are meant to be. My patience, endurance, and faith have all been tested from trying to balance a demanding career in emergency medical services and a full-time online education. It has revealed a deeper sense of purpose; it has nourished my will to persevere. Working in emergency medicine has exposed me to the fragile and strong aspects of life. There are days when exhaustion feels overwhelming, and long working hours blur into study sessions that seep into the late night. There were times when I questioned whether I could keep going, especially when financial responsibilities made each school term feel hesitant. My major struggle has been living paycheck to paycheck while paying for school, but even during these grim times, I have reminded myself that faith is about resilience. It is about trusting God to guide you through what one might not be able to manage alone. These past few years, there have also been several personal and emotional challenges. Like many others, I have experienced times of ambiguity and remoteness. Instead of drifting away, I decided to rekindle my relationship with God. I began to focus on my spiritual life—praying more, reading scripture, and reflecting on what it truly means to live a life of service. My work as an EMT constantly reminds me that kind-heartedness is revered. Because of every patient I have helped and every call I have responded to, it has fostered my belief that the purpose is found in helping others. Despite these challenges, I have continued to pursue my education; it is an extension of that same purpose. My goal is to overcome the divide between technology and emergency medical services by developing software that helps first responders and healthcare workers operate more efficiently. For one of my side projects, I decided to build an ambulance fleet management application to track maintenance, inventory, and damage reports. This system was implemented at my workplace, and it made a real difference; it improved communication and accountability. Creating and implementing this system reminded me why I chose this path: to use technology as a tool for service. Heather Lynn Scott McDaniel embodied kindness, compassion, and perseverance; these values deeply resonate with me. Similarly, I have learned that life’s challenges can break or refine you. I choose to let them refine me; we are called to lift others, to give more than we take, and to keep pursuing growth even through adversity. This scholarship would not just ease my financial pressure; it would honor the spirit of resilience that Heather symbolized. It would allow me to dedicate more time to my academics, deepen my faith, and continue building a future where my work helps others. I am grateful for the chance to share my story and to be considered for a scholarship that honors someone whose life reflects love, strength, and generosity. Just like Heather, I hope to live a life that uplifts others despite the obstacles along the way.

To me, hacking is not about breaching systems; it’s about being curious, not being afraid to experiment, and building something that betters the world around you. I have always been intrigued by how things work and how they could be improved; this could be a simple line of code or a piece of hardware. This mindset has influenced many of my personal projects, from small experiments to tools that have enhanced my workplace. One of my first projects that was fueled by curiosity was a nutrition website I built to help make shopping healthier and easier to understand. The site allowed users to scan a barcode and see a descriptive view of nutritional data; this included caloric count and health value. I was able to display the application to my friends; they were surprised by how useful a simple idea could be in their everyday shopping experience. This reminded me that sometimes, technology’s best purpose is to help people make smarter, everyday choices. Furthermore, another project that sparked my passion for tinkering was a small Breakout-style game I built while I was learning how to use OpenGL. It started when I was taking a course on computational graphics and visualization, but it quickly turned into something playful. Once I got the basic mechanics and physics to work, I shared it with my little brother and his friends. I watched them share laughs and compete against each other with an application that I built; this was a moment of pride for me. I realized that the joy of creation didn’t just derive from building something new; it is watching others enjoy it. Additionally, I helped my little brother build his first-ever custom PC. Together, we spent hours researching computer parts and budgeting. Once we decided on the parts, we started scouting computer parts in the used market, like the Facebook marketplace and eBay. The following several weeks seemed like a never-ending search for perfect deals; my brother and I spent hours talking to several potential vendors. As soon as we gathered all the parts we needed, we spent an entire day assembling the computer. When we finally turned the system on, my little brother’s excitement filled the room. He proceeded to show off the system to family and friends with a radiant smile that stretched from one ear to the other. This made me realize that building the computer wasn’t just a technical project; it was about sharing an experience, sharing knowledge, and inspiring curiosity with a loved one. More recently, I developed an ambulance fleet management application at my workplace; I serve as both an EMT and a fleet supervisor. Before I took on the role of fleet manager, an established fleet management system was already in place. However, it was outdated and inefficient. There were too many ambulance units out of service, inventory items were constantly out of stock, and maintenance logs were a mess. So, I took it upon myself to take an already existing system and improve it. I developed an application that streamlined vehicle maintenance, inventory, and damage reports. It reduced confusion within our department; it let the focus shift to what truly matters—patient care. Across all these experiences, the drive to learn, create, and share is consistent. Whether I’m developing a game, solving a problem at work, or teaching someone how to build their first PC, I have discovered joy in giving others something valuable. That’s the heart of the “hacker spirit”—the intersection of curiosity, creativity, and generosity. I strive to live by those values—just like Kyle Lam did.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Recently, I have realized that when life gets difficult, the most effective way to heal is to give—to give effort, care, and faith. This lesson is rooted in Acts 20:35; it has become my anchor as I keep trying to strengthen my relationship with God and pursue my education in computer science. It reminds me that even in moments of exhaustion or doubt, resolve is found through service and appreciation. I currently work as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); this line of work has taught me both compassion and humility, especially as I serve others during their most vulnerable times. Being an EMT has shown me what it means to live that verse—to help those in need not for the recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Each dispatched call I respond to reinforces the belief that God’s love and grace reveal themselves through quiet acts of service; it can heal both the giver and the receiver. Those experiences have sculpted my perspective of the world: that faith is lived through consistent acts of consideration and truthfulness. My background in EMS has also inspired me to explore a new path through technology; it has led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a focus on software engineering. My long-term goal is to bridge the gap between technology and the emergency medical system, creating tools that make it easier for responders to save lives. I hope to build reliable systems that streamline communication, improve response times, and better patient outcomes. This new calling directly reflects my growing faith and desire to serve others; I want my work to demonstrate the same compassion and purpose that drives my beliefs. Lately, life has presented several difficulties that involve balancing work, finances, and school; it has tested my faith and resilience. There have been several occasions when giving up seemed easier, when the weight of responsibilities made me question whether it was the right time to continue. I have even considered putting my education on hold again, convincing myself that I should wait for a more “perfect” moment. However, this season has reminded me that faith is not about having everything sorted out; it is about trusting God even when the path is not clear. I have established that education and faith go hand in hand; they are both paths of development, discipline, patience, and surrender. Receiving this scholarship would benefit my current financial situation. As of now, I work full-time for an established ambulance company that operates in a high-pressure environment with a heavy stream of critical cases, all while being a full-time online student. My finances are constantly stretched thin, but despite the difficulties, I keep moving forward with the conviction that God has placed purpose in my heart. This scholarship would provide much-needed financial relief and allow me to focus more deeply on my academics, my spiritual growth, and the calling I feel to utilize my education to give back. For me, this scholarship represents more than just financial assistance—it is an answered prayer. It embodies hope, faith, and the opportunity to keep progressing toward the vision God has placed before me. As I continue this journey, I remind myself every day that every challenge is an opportunity to gain experience, faith, character, and purpose. Acts 20:35 reminds me that giving, even when life feels overwhelming, is what keeps the heart strong. Through this scholarship, I hope not only to receive support but to continue giving through service, learning, and compassion. My goal is to use every lesson, every hardship, and every blessing to build something that serves others and honors God.