To many, computer science is purely about the future—about what is next, what is faster, and what is new. However, my approach to technology is deeply rooted in the past. As a student of Black and Native American heritage, I view myself as a "multi-faceted" computer scientist because I am trying to solve a specific equation: How do we use the tools of the future to preserve the wisdom of the past? My goals are divided into two distinct paths—cybersecurity and cultural revitalization, but my ultimate ambition is to merge them into a single, cohesive career centered on Digital Sovereignty. My computer science goals are concrete and defensive. Currently, I am completing my Associate degree in Computer Information Systems with a focus on C# programming and hardware support. My technical roadmap involves transitioning into a Bachelor of Technology in Cybersecurity, moving from my current role as a Help Desk Technician I to a Tier 3 Technician, and eventually, a Cybersecurity Specialist. I am fascinated by the architecture of safety—understanding system vulnerabilities, protecting digital infrastructure, and ensuring data integrity. I want to be the architect of safe digital spaces. My non-computer science goals are centered on identity and linguistics. I recently enrolled in an online Cherokee language course to reclaim a vital part of my heritage. My goal is to achieve fluency in the Cherokee language and become an active participant in the storytelling traditions of my community. This is not just a casual hobby; it is a commitment to ensuring that the history, syllabary, and oral traditions of my ancestors survive for the next generation. Looking to the future, I plan to synthesize these passions by developing secure technical infrastructure for Indigenous communities. Just as the winning essayist might use AI for architecture, I aim to use cybersecurity to protect cultural archives. In an era where data is a precious resource, Indigenous communities face unique threats regarding the privacy of enrollment records and digitized cultural artifacts. I want to build the "digital vaults" that protect this history. Furthermore, I intend to use my background in C# to develop accessible language-learning applications that can modernize how the Cherokee syllabary is taught to youth. I have already begun testing the waters of this synthesis. In my spare time, I have developed Discord bots to manage online communities and created an ELO rating application for local gamers. These projects served as my "sandbox," teaching me that code is a flexible tool that can be molded to serve a specific community’s needs. I now possess the technical foundation to apply that same logic to the Native American community. The Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship would empower me to continue walking this dual path. By supporting my education in cybersecurity, you are investing in a guardian of both digital networks and cultural history. I am determined to be a coder who enriches the world by ensuring that, as we move forward into the digital age, we do not leave our identity behind.

For many, technology is a convenience; for me, it is a language of opportunity. As a young man of Black and Native American heritage growing up in Oklahoma City, I did not always see people who looked like me in the technology sector. However, rather than seeing this as a barrier, I viewed it as a challenge to solve. I am currently an undergraduate student completing my Associate degree in Computer Information Systems, with a clear roadmap to obtain a Bachelor of Technology in Cybersecurity. My passion for IT stems from a love of logic and structure, the ability to take a complex problem and engineer a tangible solution. My interest in the technology field is rooted in creation and defense. I am fascinated by programming because it allows me to build tools from scratch, and I am drawn to cybersecurity because it allows me to protect those tools. This dual interest has driven me to seek out hands-on projects outside of the classroom. One of the most significant projects I have undertaken was developing an ELO rating application for the local Oklahoma Smash Ultimate gaming community. I recognized that our local scene lacked a reliable, automated way to track player performance and rankings over time. Utilizing my coding skills, I developed an application that calculates and updates player ratings based on match results. This project was a pivotal moment for me because it merged my personal interest in competitive gaming with my professional skills in software development. It taught me how to manage a project lifecycle, troubleshoot bugs in real-time, and create a user-friendly interface for a specific community. In addition to software development, I enjoy exploring automation. I have programmed custom Discord bots to manage server interactions and automate tasks for online communities. These projects have sharpened my proficiency in C# and given me a sandbox to experiment with logic and command structures. Beyond these personal projects, I have already begun my professional journey in the field. I currently work full-time as a Help Desk Technician I. In this role, I am on the front lines of IT support, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, managing user accounts, and maintaining system integrity. Balancing a full-time IT job with my college coursework has been demanding, but it has solidified my work ethic and my commitment to this career path. I am applying for this scholarship because I am driven to become a leader in the tech industry. My goal is to become a Cybersecurity Specialist, ensuring the safety of digital infrastructure. I want to prove that students from underrepresented backgrounds can not only participate in the IT field but also lead it. This scholarship would provide the financial support necessary to continue my education and turn that ambition into reality.

In Native American culture, storytelling is not merely a form of entertainment; it is a survival mechanism. It is the vessel through which history, identity, and vital knowledge are transmitted across generations to ensure the community endures. As a young man of Black and Native American heritage growing up in Oklahoma City, I often searched for my own way to contribute to this tradition. For a long time, I struggled to find the connection between the ancient traditions of my ancestors and my modern passion for technology. However, a recent experience bridged that gap and defined my path forward: I realized that computer code is simply the modern evolution of storytelling. My journey began with a fascination for the logic of how things work. Whether I was building a gaming PC, troubleshooting a network issue, or writing a script in C#, I loved the structure of technology. Currently, I am finishing my Associate degree in Computer Information Systems while working full-time as a Help Desk Technician. My days are spent speaking the language of technical support and programming, solving problems for users, and maintaining digital infrastructure. Yet, despite my professional progress, I felt a cultural disconnect. In the fast-paced world of IT, it is easy to feel isolated, especially as a minority in a field where Native representation is scarce. To reconnect with my roots, I recently made the decision to enroll in an online Cherokee language course. This was the defining experience that reshaped my goals. As I sat down to study the Cherokee syllabary, studying the shapes and sounds that my ancestors spoke, I noticed a profound parallel to my work in IT. Learning Cherokee requires understanding syntax, structure, and intent, exactly like learning a programming language. I realized that whether I am writing a line of code to execute a task or speaking a phrase in Cherokee to preserve a thought, I am engaging in the same act: using language to command reality and preserve information. This realization has fueled my ambition to pursue a Bachelor of Technology in Cybersecurity. In our digital age, a Cybersecurity Specialist is essentially a modern guardian. Just as the storytellers of the past protected the truth and history of the tribe, cybersecurity professionals protect the integrity of our modern infrastructure. We defend the "stories" of the sensitive data, the identities, and the digital lives of our communities. My professional goal is to advance from my current role to become a Tier 3 Technician and eventually a Cybersecurity Specialist. I want to be the person who understands the system deeply enough to defend it against threats. However, my drive goes beyond just career advancement. I am motivated by the desire to increase Native representation in the tech sector. I want to demonstrate that we belong in these high-tech spaces, not in spite of our heritage, but because of it. By walking in two worlds, studying the ancient Cherokee language and the futuristic language of Cybersecurity, I am bridging the gap between where I come from and where I am going. I am a candidate who understands that preservation requires action. Whether I am debugging a security script or practicing my Cherokee vocabulary, my goal is the same: to keep the line of communication open, secure, and alive for the next generation.