I am a black, autistic, queer, non-binary atheist whose family is not only poor, but extremely religious and homophobic (and, on my grandmother's side of the family, racist). I've spent years going to physical therapy on and off due to various car accidents (one of which put me in a wheelchair for almost 3 years), and have spent the last few years struggling with the symptoms of previously undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. All that being said, I can now walk properly, my vision is almost completely back, I am more comfortable with who I am as a person, and I'm one semester away from being able to enter a graduate program.

Honestly, I'm finding this question more difficult than almost any other I've seen on a scholarship application. How can I choose when there are so many great books and authors out there and the main things I would want people to take away from each book would be different depending upon the person? Lyndsay Sands and Molly Harper are my absolute favorite authors right now, and not only do they make some of the most enjoyable and funny works I have ever read, but they both taught me what happy, healthy, realistic relationships look like and I think more people need that representation in their lives. Aprilynne Pike's Wings books and Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series were absolutely fantastic and opened my eyes to the wonders of fantasy novels in general (and, let's be honest, who couldn't use a little magic in their lives?). I think all tech bros should read Isaac Asimov's foundation series (and maybe even Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams) so they can chill out on AI and stop trying to speed run every dystopian cyberpunk future they can. ... I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking things. Just to bring a bit more joy into the world and so I could take into account everyone's reading levels and attention spans, I think I would have to go with The Greatest Estate Developer by BK_Moon and adapted by Lee Hyunmin. This manhwa offers easy reading and has given me the most joy of pretty much anything I have ever read. Each chapter has me laughing to the point where my sides hurt. The art is absolutely gorgeous, you get a glimpse at how city planning and sanitation facilities run and make our lives better, and it all takes place in a world where magic and dragons are everywhere. This manhwa offers humor, escapism, solid friendships, found family, action, and even a touch of relationship drama when it comes to the side character and their lives. It is pretty much everything you could want in a series all wrapped up in a story about a guy who just wants to relax and enjoy a lazy life in the countryside. Yeah, I think that might be a good choice.

Climbing has pretty much always been something I've been interested in, a long time ago I remember being in a movie theaterwatching one of the Mission Impossible movies as a kid, and being absolutely amazed as the main character scaled a mountain. Ever since then, every time I get the opportunity, I am at the nearest climbing wall, trying to scale it as fast as I possibly can. I've never really liked crowds, but I absolutely love going to the mall and the renaissance festival because I knew every time that I went there I would be able to use their climbing wall (then again, the Renaissance festival also has archery, ax and knife throwing, and the best turkey legs you'll ever have so that definitely wasn't going to be a bad time anyway). It also kind of helped that all the people I watched online (like Kyle Hill the science educator on YouTube) and even the nurse that gives me my multiple sclerosis meds each month like climbing too. I go in to get my Tysabri infusion every 28 days, and, every time I go in, Jim (one of the nurses) regales me with his stories of climbing mountains with his wife, and traveling all around the world, both in the military and for fun. He also likes to make it very clear that I need to stay active and healthy to keep the symptoms of my multiple sclerosis at bay and encourages me to both workout and do as many activities as possible. So far, when it comes to my pursuit of higher education, I have made it all the way to the end of my bachelor's degree in computer science, and I'm one semester away from graduating, but my grants ran out and I'm scrounging for funds. I have already signed up for loans, my grandmother is trying to save up to help me out a bit, and I am saving as much money as I possibly can to pay for tuition, but I'm still short. This scholarship alone could cover the rest of my tuition for this coming semester. I've already applied for close to 70 different scholarships over the last month or two, but I haven't won anything so far. I'm hoping that I can win at least 2 so I can hurry up and apply for the library science graduate program at Kent State and get one step closer to my dream of becoming either a librarian or museum curator.

I one hundred percent believe that society should change its way of responding to the problems of the disadvantaged, and the simple fact that this scholarship even exists is proof that our current way of handling these underrepresented and disadvantaged groups can be described as nothing more than a complete and utter systematic failure. Throughout our early academic careers (i.e. from the time we first enter kindergarten to the time we leave high school), we are put in heavily policed buildings where we are surrounded by guards with anger issues, permission to beat and harass us without any real oversight or repercussions, and a penchant for having sexual relations with minors (with or without that child's permission or consent). We are told how to dress and when we can and cannot eat, drink, and even use the restroom. These places are so strict that even opening a window to try to cool the classroom down in the summer is grounds for a 3-hour detention, complaining about how that is unfair will get you an in-school suspension, and if you show up late to school one too many times because you have to walk a couple of miles just to get there in the mornings you get taken to juvenile court. These schools do less to educate us than they do to train us to be model prisoners and get us used to having our rights and autonomy taken away. And all that is just for the average student. If you have a learning disability, are a person of color, English is your second language, et cetera, life is typically worse because (unless you are extremely lucky and the teachers and other faculty actually want to be there and like the students) anything about you from your hairstyle to the fit of your uniform can and will be used as grounds for your harassment. After all of that, we are released into the world under the understanding that we now know enough to be able to support ourselves and be considered adults, only to find that all the jobs available that actually pay a livable wage are hidden behind a degree based paywall and that our right to education was more of a free trial. Scholarships are great if you're actually able to win one (which many people aren't), but they are nothing more than a stopgap. To begin with, there's no reason that trying to escape poverty or better oneself should come with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Your future and ability to complete your degree shouldn't be reliant on whether or not you are a good enough writer to make someone believe you are worth investing in. In a world where societies actually cared about their constituents, food, shelter, healthcare, and education should be guaranteed across the board with no caveats or loopholes. That is literally doing the bare minimum. All life is worth that much investment at the very least, and it should be more than just the people who give grants and scholarships or work in soup kitchens and shelters, that believe that.

I'm black, disabled, nonbinary, and trying to put myself through college with almost no funds or help from my family, but out of all the things that I've struggled with, the most difficult for me was dealing with the effects of my undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. Right now I am working on completing a degree in computer science, so most of my time is spent coding and proofreading that code. Even a single misplaced comma is enough to make the entire program no longer work, so accuracy is extremely important when doing this. When I first noticed my vision problems, I thought it was just a regular afterimage that was left over from looking at something too bright while I was outside. That being said, as the issue persisted and worsened, I knew something was wrong. Despite seeking medical help, it took months before I was finally sent to someone who could possibly help with my issue, but by then it had already sorted itself out (outside of just having slightly worse vision in that eye which still hasn't gone away to this day) so all they could do was diagnose me with possible optic neuritis. It wasn't until months after that, after I'd struggled with hemifacial spasms for weeks and had started having severe vison problems in my other eye that I was sent to a neurologist who immediatly put me on the strongest steroids they had and diagnosed me with MS. The impact of this condition on my studies cannot be overstated. While I can see significantly better now that I am on medications to keep my MS at bay, I still often struggle to read textbooks and proofread code, as the letters appear distorted and blurred due to a combination of the gloss on the pages/screen and my eyes not quite being able to process signals perfectly even with my glasses on. The condition has made me feel frustrated, exhausted, and helpless at times. Mainly this experience has taught me the importance of advocating for myself and my health. If I had not persisted in seeking medical help, my condition may have gone untreated for much longer, impacting not just my studies, but my overall quality of life. Secondly, it has taught me the importance of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges I face, I am determined to complete my degree in computer science and make a difference in the world. I have adapted my study methods and found ways to work around my visual impairments, such as using text-to-speech software and magnification tools, and I am currently only one semester away from completing my degree in computer science and being able to apply for a master's program. Lastly, it has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding. While I may struggle with certain aspects of coursework due to my disability and chronic illness, I have come to realize that everyone has their own challenges and struggles. It is important to be compassionate towards others and seek to understand their experiences. My goal now is to become a librarian or museum curator and use that to help advocate and spread awareness of disabilities and the resources available to those who need them. My struggle with optic neuritis from multiple sclerosis has been a difficult experience, but it has taught me valuable lessons about advocating for myself, resilience, and empathy. While being a black, disabled, nonbinary person trying to make it through college is challenging, experiences like these have taught me that I am capable of overcoming obstacles and achieving my goals.

I'm black, disabled, nonbinary, and trying to put myself through college with almost no funds or help from my family, but out of all the things that I've struggled with, the most difficult for me was dealing with the effects of my undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. Right now I am working on completing a degree in computer science, so most of my time is spent coding and proofreading that code. Even a single misplaced comma is enough to make the entire program no longer work, so accuracy is extremely important when doing this. When I first noticed my vision problems, I thought it was just a regular afterimage that was left over from looking at something too bright while I was outside. That being said, as the issue persisted and worsened, I knew something was wrong. Despite seeking medical help, it took months before I was finally sent to someone who could possibly help with my issue, but by then it had already sorted itself out (outside of just having slightly worse vision in that eye which still hasn't gone away to this day) so all they could do was diagnose me with possible optic neuritis. It wasn't until months after that, after I'd struggled with hemifacial spasms for weeks and had started having severe vison problems in my other eye that I was sent to a neurologist who immediatly put me on the strongest steroids they had and diagnosed me with MS. The impact of this condition on my studies cannot be overstated. While I can see significantly better now that I am on medications to keep my MS at bay, I still often struggle to read textbooks and proofread code, as the letters appear distorted and blurred due to a combination of the gloss on the pages/screen and my eyes not quite being able to process signals perfectly even with my glasses on. The condition has made me feel frustrated, exhausted, and helpless at times. However, this experience has also taught me valuable lessons. Firstly, it has taught me the importance of advocating for myself and my health. If I had not persisted in seeking medical help, my condition may have gone untreated for much longer, impacting not just my studies, but my overall quality of life. Secondly, it has taught me the importance of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges I face, I am determined to complete my degree in computer science and make a difference in the world. I have adapted my study methods and found ways to work around my visual impairments, such as using text-to-speech software and magnification tools, and I am currently only one semester away from completing my degree in computer science and being able to apply for a master's program. Lastly, it has taught me the importance of empathy and understanding. While I may struggle with certain aspects of coursework due to my disability and chronic illness, I have come to realize that everyone has their own challenges and struggles. It is important to be compassionate towards others and seek to understand their experiences. In conclusion, my struggle with optic neuritis from multiple sclerosis has been a difficult experience, but it has taught me valuable lessons about advocating for myself, resilience, and empathy. While being a black, disabled, nonbinary person trying to make it through college is challenging, experiences like these have taught me that I am capable of overcoming obstacles and achieving my goals.

As a black person with multiple sclerosis (MS) and a prospective Master's student in Library and Information Science (I only have one semester left until I am done with my bachelor’s degree and can apply for the LIS program at Kent state), the books that have had the biggest impact on both my world view and path through the works would have to be "Dune" by Frank Herbert, the Animorphs series by K. A. Applegate, and the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. "Dune" by Frank Herbert explores themes of politics, power, and ecology, and has helped me to understand the importance of critical thinking and the consequences of our actions. Not only was this the first book that made it sink in that knowledge truly is power, but it also helped to inspire me to take an interest in protecting my environment. I have grown up through the last two decades experiencing climate disaster after climate disaster, all caused by a handful of companies and their CEOs who (for some odd reason) have it in their minds that profits should come before the health and prosperity of our children and the planet they live on. The prospect that, within the next hundred or so years, we might actually bring about a world of such drastic water rationing and wealth inequality is what made me want to help inspire the next generation to learn as much as possible so they can shape the future for the better. (Then again, Bill Nye definitely had a hand in that too.) The "Animorphs" series by K. A. Applegate is about a diverse group of teens who are able to transform into various animals and must fight in a surprisingly brutal war against an alien invasion. This series has taught me not only the importance of representation in our books and always fighting for what you think is right, but that it is extremely important to expose our children to the concept that everyone will eventually have struggles with mental health and disability, and that it is okay to need (and ask for) help. As a future librarian, I plan to advocate for greater representation in library collections and services, and to work collaboratively with others to help promote awareness of disability and mental health resources. Finally, the "Foundation" series by Isaac Asimov tackled themes of history, society, rights, and the power of information. This series has not only added to my understanding of the value of information, but how it can be used to shape our understanding of the world around us. As a future librarian, I plan to use my knowledge and skills to promote information literacy, access to diverse perspectives and ideas, and help others gather as many skills as possible along the way so that they always feel prepared for whatever may come their ways. Overall, these books have helped to make me the person I am today by shaping my goals and teaching me the importance of critical thinking, representation, teamwork, and the power of information. They have inspired me to pursue a career as a librarian (or museum curator if that doesn’t work out) who advocates for greater representation and inclusion of diverse voices in library collections and services, while also promoting environmental and social responsibility.

As a nonbinary, disabled, black person, the US Constitution has not always been a source of inspiration for me. It is a document that was created by white men who did not believe that people like me were equal or deserving of the same rights and privileges as they were. However, as I have grown and learned more about the history of our country, I have come to appreciate the Constitution as a tool that can be used to fight for civil rights and equality. One of the reasons I am passionate about the US Constitution is because of the ways in which it has been used to protect and expand civil rights over time. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, for example, were critical in abolishing slavery and providing citizenship and voting rights for Black Americans. The Constitution has also been used to protect the rights of other marginalized groups, such as women and LGBTQ+ individuals. As a librarian, I plan to continue to fight for civil rights by promoting education and awareness about the Constitution and the ways in which it has been used to advance social justice. I believe that access to information and knowledge is essential for creating a more just and equitable society. One way I plan to do this is by providing resources and programming that highlight the struggles and triumphs of historically marginalized communities. For example, I would create displays and book lists featuring books by and about Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) authors and historical figures. I would also host events and discussions focused on the intersection of civil rights and the Constitution, and how people from all backgrounds can use the Constitution to fight for equality. Another way I plan to continue the fight for civil rights is by advocating for library policies and practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. This could include creating collections that reflect the diversity of our community, ensuring that library programming is accessible to people with disabilities, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Finally, I plan to use my position as a librarian to advocate for policies and legislation that promote civil rights and social justice. This could include advocating for voting rights, supporting anti-discrimination laws, and fighting against policies that perpetuate systemic inequalities. In conclusion, as a nonbinary, disabled, black person, my passion for the US Constitution is rooted in its potential to be used as a tool for advancing civil rights and promoting equality. Through my career as a librarian, I plan to continue fighting for civil rights by promoting education and awareness about the Constitution and its history, advocating for library policies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion, and using my position to advocate for policies and legislation that promote social justice.

Education has always been a passion of mine, both as a student and as someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of others. From a young age, I was drawn to learning and the power of knowledge to change lives. This passion has only grown over time, as I have seen the impact that great teachers can have on their students. Throughout my education, I have been fortunate to have many inspiring teachers who have impacted my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. These teachers have not only helped me to develop academically, but they have also challenged me to grow as a person and to think critically about the world around me. One teacher who stands out in particular is my high school English teacher. She was passionate about literature and helped me to develop a love of reading that has stayed with me to this day. She also encouraged me to write creatively and express my thoughts in new and exciting ways. Through her mentorship, I discovered a passion for storytelling that has shaped my career aspirations. As an aspiring librarian, I am committed to leaving a lasting impact on the students I serve. I believe that libraries are one of the most important institutions in our society, as they provide access to knowledge and resources for people of all backgrounds. Libraries are also a place where people can connect with one another and build community, and (with all the legislation being put in place to attack both libraries and education) I think that there are very few things that are needed more than someone dedicated to safeguarding student's access to knowledge. My goal as a librarian is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where students feel empowered to learn and explore their interests. I want to provide access to a wide range of resources, including books, technology, and educational programs. I also want to encourage students to think critically about the information they encounter and to develop their own ideas and perspectives. In order to achieve these goals, I plan to be an active member of the school community and to collaborate with teachers, parents, and students to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. I also plan to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in library science so that I can provide the best possible service to my students. Ultimately, my passion for education and my desire to make a difference in the lives of others are what drive me to pursue a career as a librarian. I am grateful for the inspiring teachers who have impacted my life and helped me to develop my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. I hope to be able to pay it forward by creating a positive and impactful experience for the students I serve.

I have always been inspired to get involved in my community and make a difference. Seeing the positive impact that people can have on one another has motivated me to work towards creating a better and more inclusive society. There are many factors that have contributed to this desire to give back to my community. One of the things that inspire me is the people who make up my community. I live in a diverse area with individuals from all walks of life. Seeing how people come together to support one another during difficult times has made me want to contribute to the betterment of my community. This is especially true when I see how marginalized groups are treated unfairly and have to struggle to have their voices heard. Witnessing such injustice motivates me to stand up for the rights of others and to help create a more just and equitable society. Volunteering has been one of the most significant ways I have worked to influence change in my community. I have volunteered my time and skills with local organizations, schools, and charities to help those in need. I have assisted in community clean-up events, food drives, and mentoring programs for young people. These experiences have allowed me to meet new people and learn new skills while also contributing to the betterment of my community. Advocating for change has also been an important way in which I have worked to influence my community. I have attended town hall meetings and spoken up about issues that are important to me. These include issues related to education, healthcare, and the environment. I have also reached out to local politicians and representatives to express my concerns and offer my support. Through these efforts, I have been able to influence policies and advocate for positive change in my community. Lastly, I have organized events and initiatives to help address social issues and create a more inclusive society. For example, I have helped to organize fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and educational programs. These initiatives have allowed me to bring people together and work towards a common goal of improving our community. In conclusion, getting involved in my community has been a fulfilling experience that has allowed me to contribute to the betterment of society. The inspiring people, my personal values, and my commitment to social justice have motivated me to take action and work towards positive change. Volunteering, advocating, and organizing events have all been ways in which I have worked to influence my community. I hope to continue to make a difference and inspire others to do the same.

Being an American citizen fills me with pride and gratitude for the opportunities, freedom, and diverse culture this country has to offer. I am proud of my country's values and principles, such as democracy, liberty, and justice for all. These are the pillars that make America one of the greatest nations in the world. As a citizen, I value my right to free speech, the press, and religion, and I appreciate the respect and tolerance for individual differences that exist in this country. However, I am also aware of the changes that we need to see to make America an even better place to live. One of the most significant changes that I want to see is greater equality for all. I believe that every person should have equal access to opportunities, education, healthcare, and justice. Reducing economic inequality and addressing issues related to racial and gender discrimination are vital steps toward achieving this goal. In addition to equality, I think that our political system needs to change. I believe that politicians should be more transparent and accountable to the people they represent. We need to make changes to our electoral system to make it more representative of the people. I also believe that we should prioritize the needs and concerns of everyday Americans over the interests of corporations and the wealthy elite. To effect change, I plan to become more involved in local politics by attending town hall meetings and participating in local elections. I want to ensure that my elected officials are held accountable and that the needs of my community are being addressed. I also plan to volunteer and become involved in activism to help address social issues that matter to me. I will work with local organizations to help those who are struggling and contribute to building a stronger and more inclusive community. Finally, I believe that being a good citizen is essential to creating positive change. I will continue to follow the law, be respectful to others, and actively participate in my community. By doing so, I can help to create a culture of kindness and civility that will strengthen our country as a whole. I will encourage others to do the same and spread awareness about the importance of being an active and responsible citizen. In conclusion, as an American, I am proud of my country and its values, but I also recognize the areas where we can improve. I am committed to effecting change by getting involved in local politics, volunteering, and being a responsible and active citizen. With the help of others, I believe that we can work towards greater equality, political reform, and a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

I not only grew up poor, but the child of a single mother who was trying her hardest to stay afloat. My mother, while raising and trying to meet the needs of her autistic child, was working full time to try and keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, while simultaneously putting herself through college with no help from my grandparents (they were extremely religious and they kind of disowned her when they kicked her out of the house for getting pregnant with me). My father also wasn't in any place mentally or physically to help anyone since, after leaving the military he spent a fairly significant amount of time homeless and dealing with his own mental problems while bouncing around the country looking for work. On top of all the stress of trying to raise me on her own, repair her relationship with my grandparents, and all of the other problems she had to deal with, my mom also struggled with severe depression to the point that, for the majority of my childhood, she was in and out of mental institutions trying to get help when the suicidal thoughts became too much. During her stints in mental institutions, I would stay with my aunts or, a bit later on, my grandparents, and they did everything they could to encourage me to follow my dreams, whatever they may be. They sent me to art classes, taught me how to play a few different instruments, and, overall, encouraged my love of reading and learning (which was a lifesaver for me since there weren't many other people around that were my age, so all I ever really had to keep me company while growing up were books and the new and interesting worlds they contained) and I guess you could say that reading became my main coping mechanism. Now, while I have my own disabilities (multiple sclerosis) and have struggled with both the physical and mental health problems that come with them, I am one semester away from getting a degree in computer science and entering a master's program at Kent State so that I can become either a museum curator or an academic librarian and help spark the same love of reading and learning in others that held me in such good stead throughout my life. Hopefully, through my career choice, I will be able to help further others' access the resources they need through the outreach programs both jobs support.

I not only grew up poor, but the child of a single mother who was trying her hardest to stay afloat. My mother, while raising and trying to meet the needs of her autistic child, was working full time to try and keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, while simultaneously putting herself through college with no help from my grandparents (they were extremely religious and they kind of disowned her when they kicked her out of the house for getting pregnant with me). My father also wasn't in any place mentally or physically to help anyone since, after leaving the military he spent a fairly significant amount of time homeless and dealing with his own mental problems while bouncing around the country looking for work. On top of all the stress of trying to raise me on her own, repair her relationship with my grandparents, and all of the other problems she had to deal with, my mom also struggled with severe depression to the point that, for the majority of my childhood, she was in and out of mental institutions trying to get help when the suicidal thoughts became too much. During her stints in mental institutions, I would stay with my aunts or, a bit later on, my grandparents, and they did everything they could to encourage me to follow my dreams, whatever they may be. They sent me to art classes, taught me how to play a few different instruments, and, overall, encouraged my love of reading and learning (which was a lifesaver for me since there weren't many other people around that were my age, so all I ever really had to keep me company while growing up were books and the new and interesting worlds they contained) and I guess you could say that reading became my main coping mechanism. Now, while I have my own disabilities (multiple sclerosis) and have struggled with both the physical and mental health problems that come with them, I am one semester away from getting a degree in computer science and entering a master's program at Kent State so that I can become either a museum curator or an academic librarian and help spark the same love of reading and learning in others that held me in such good stead throughout my life. Hopefully, through my career choice, I will be able to help further others' access to mental healthcare resources through the outreach programs both jobs support.

When I was thinking about what career path I might like to take in the future, I decided early on that it would have to be something that furthered my current interests so that it wouldn't be a slog in every aspect from getting the necessary degree(s) to actually working in the field, whatever field I chose had to be one where I was constantly learning, and, finally, I had to feel like I was helping those around me in some sort of meaningful way. To that end, I decided to become a librarian or a museum curator, and that requires no less than a master's degree in Library and Information Science. The degrees leading up to the master's program didn't matter much so I decided that since I needed to be able to work with people well I would get a degree in psychology, and since I would need to be able to work computers and manage databases I decided to get a bachelor's degree in computer science (which I am now one semester from completing). My dream job would be to either become a museum curator helping spark a love of learning in the people who will be our community's future, or work in an academic library helping others further their academic and research careers. I think I would be the best candidate to receive this scholarship because I am only one semester from getting my bachelor's degree in computer science from Wright State University and this scholarship would, without a doubt go a long way to ensuring I am able to complete it without having to keep postponing due to lack of funds. Another reason I think I would be the best candidate for this scholarship is that we need more good representation in our communities, and having a 6'7", non-binary, disabled (I am both autistic and have multiple sclerosis) black person to show as a success story would help inspire the coming generation to strive for success more than almost anything short of free healthcare and schooling would.

What is there not to love about math? Math is everything. Math is the language we use to describe our motion through the universe; math allows us to communicate with anyone around the world almost instantly though the use of the internet, television, and the telephone; math is what Urbain Le Verrier, Johann Gottfried Galle, and John Couch Adams used to predict the existence of Neptune well before its actual discovery (although the credit for the discovery of Neptune arguably belongs to Galileo Galilei who very well may have spotted it two hundred years before they did); math is even what we use to figure out all of the fundamental laws and theorems of the universe and try to figure out how we could even exist on this speck of dust we call earth. Heck, we taught rocks (the silicon, copper, iron, silver, et cetera in our computers) math and now they rule almost every portion of the world and even shape the very methods we use to interact with our surroundings. There is no subject (outside of history) that is more important than mathematics because, when it comes down to it, math and chemistry (which also uses math) are the basis of everything.

My disability has mostly manifested itself in the form of extreme exhaustion and vision and slight thinking problems that come from having untreated multiple sclerosis for a long time. I am currently working to get a bachelor's degree in computer science, and between getting hit by a car while walking and struggling with the vision problems that come with optic neuritis, it has been quite a struggle to keep up with my course load since you need to be able to see clearly to code and proofread. At one point I even taught myself how to work with leather so I could create eyepatches so that I could limit the input to whichever eye was giving me the most problems at that point in time. While it took quite a bit of time, I am now taking tysabri monthly (well, every 28 days to be specific) and that has been helping me significantly; my vision has cleared up, I'm able to think more clearly, and I actually have energy again (which I couldn't be more pleased about. Before I knew that it was caused by multiple sclerosis, I was worried that my lack of energy might be caused by clinical depression and that I might have to get admitted to a mental hospital for help because I didn't even have enough energy to get out of bed most days much less any energy to devote to work or my hyperfixations). Right now I am taking a semester or two off from school because my grants ran out at the end of the last school year and I am nowhere near well off enough to be able to afford my tuition even if I maxed out all of my credit cards. That being said, I already have an associate's degree in psychology and am one semester from finishing my bachelor's degree in computer science. Once that is done, I plan to sign up for a master's program at Kent State and work on getting a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. I have always loved reading whatever I could get my hands on, and I also have a tendency to pick up new skills like most people pick up new games. As such, I have made it my goal in life to work in a field that allows me to constantly learn, help others, and (hopefully) spark a love of learning in others, so I plan to use that master's degree to either become an academic librarian or work in a museum as a curator (or possibly in conservation if I decide to get a minor or degree in chemistry). Nothing seems more fulfilling to me at the moment than being able to help others learn their history, discover the wonders of the world, and fulfill their dreams, and I feel like there is no better way to do those things than working in libraries and museums.

After being in a car accident that forced me to take a fairly significant amount of time off of schooling (I was walking to get some lunch and got hit by a person who wasn't paying attention) and having to drop a few semesters due to vision problems (it's hard to proofread code when you can barely see) that were caused by optic neuritis from my then undiagnosed multiple sclerosis, I am now 28 years old, taking care of my mom due to her severe health issues, and am one semester away from getting my bachelor's degree in computer science. With our health issues and the necessary medicines to treat them being so expensive, being able to have not only job security but access to a well-paying job and health insurance is pretty much mandatory. My goal right now is to (after I complete my bachelor's in computer science) get a master's degree in library and information science so that I can work at either a museum as a curator, a university as a librarian, or work in IT.

My family always refused to take no for an answer no matter what was being discussed, especially when they didn't want to hear said answer, and I didn't realize just how much that impacted me until just recently. I am asexual and nonbinary, and growing up in a black, extremely religious household, seeing how my cousins were shunned for their sexualities and either told that they could no longer "associate" with the rest of the family and were either kicked out or they just acted like they didn't even exist anymore... it made it extremely difficult for me to be able to even be comfortable with myself, much less let my family see me for who I am. During the pandemic I made a ton of friends online who (through their actions, words, and sharing queer-focused novels, tv shows, etc. with me)helped me not only start to figure myself out, but to be comfortable in the fact that I would always have a support system that would be there for me even if my family wasn't. So far, while my grandmother and her side of the family definitely weren't happy, and still to this day continue to bring up how they hope I'll "stop it with all this woke nonsense," my mom and a few of my uncles have been surprisingly supportive, and I'll always love them for that. It really shouldn't have come as such a surprise to me that my mom and uncles would be so supportive. We were quite poor when I was growing up, and my mom had me out of wedlock (which my grandparents didn't care for at all), so after they kicked her out for getting pregnant with me, my mom and her siblings kinda banded together to make sure that, even if my mom was sleeping in her car, struggling to find us a place to live get a good job while trying to put herself through school, they always made sure I had a place to stay and food to eat. They even went out of their way to foster a love of the arts and learning in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams no matter the cost. With all of the antitrans and homophobic legislation being passed, my goal is to help create a safe place for others in my community who may need it to get the same comfort and acceptance that I received. To meet that goal, I have decided to become a librarian, someone whose job is solely to help people in pursuit of their goals and help them access any resource they may need. Really, I just want to live my life in a way that gives other queer kids hope for the future and maybe a love of learning in them along the way, the way my family did for me. Right now I only have one more semester to go until I can move on to graduate school and start my path toward getting the master's degree in library and information science which is necessary to become a librarian.

My family always refused to take no for an answer no matter what was being discussed, especially when they didn't want to hear said answer, and I didn't realize just how much that impacted me until just recently. I am asexual and nonbinary, and growing up in a black, extremely religious household, seeing how my cousins were shunned for their sexualities and either told that they could no longer "associate" with the rest of the family and were either kicked out or they just acted like they didn't even exist anymore... it made it extremely difficult for me to be able to even be comfortable with myself, much less let my family see me for who I am. During the pandemic I made a ton of friends online who (through their actions, words, and sharing queer-focused novels, tv shows, etc. with me)helped me not only start to figure myself out, but to be comfortable in the fact that I would always have a support system that would be there for me even if my family wasn't. So far, while my grandmother and her side of the family definitely weren't happy, and still to this day continue to bring up how they hope I'll "stop it with all this woke nonsense," my mom and a few of my uncles have been surprisingly supportive, and I'll always love them for that. It really shouldn't have come as such a surprise to me that my mom and uncles would be so supportive. We were quite poor when I was growing up, and my mom had me out of wedlock (which my grandparents didn't care for at all), so after they kicked her out for getting pregnant with me, my mom and her siblings kinda banded together to make sure that, even if my mom was sleeping in her car, struggling to find us a place to live get a good job while trying to put herself through school, they always made sure I had a place to stay and food to eat. They even went out of their way to foster a love of the arts and learning in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams no matter the cost. With all of the antitrans and homophobic legislation being passed, my goal is to help create a safe place for others in my community who may need it to get the same comfort and acceptance that I received. To meet that goal, I have decided to become a librarian, someone whose job is solely to help people in pursuit of their goals and help them access any resource they may need. Really, I just want to live my life in a way that gives other queer kids hope for the future and maybe a love of learning in them along the way, the way my family did for me.

My family always refused to take no for an answer no matter what was being discussed, especially when they didn't want to hear said answer, and I didn't realize just how much that impacted me until just recently. I am asexual and nonbinary, and growing up in a black, extremely religious household, seeing how my cousins were shunned for their sexualities and either told that they could no longer "associate" with the rest of the family and were either kicked out or they just acted like they didn't even exist anymore... it made it extremely difficult for me to be able to even be comfortable with myself, much less let my family see me for who I am. During the pandemic I made a ton of friends online who (through their actions, words, and sharing queer-focused novels, tv shows, etc. with me)helped me not only start to figure myself out, but to be comfortable in the fact that I would always have a support system that would be there for me even if my family wasn't. With all of the antitrans and homophobic legislation being passed, my goal is to help create a safe place for others in my community who may need it to get the same comfort and acceptance that I received. To meet that goal, I have decided to become a librarian, someone whose job is solely to help people in pursuit of their goals and help them access any resource they may need.

One of the projects that I worked on that inspired me the most was when I spent a couple of weeks using binary reverse engineering to disarm virtual bombs. The professor had just taught us the basics of Register Transfer Language and, to make sure we understood not only the content we had learned the previous week but how to interpret data we are unfamiliar with to solve complex problems. The first thing given to us in that project was a copy of the program for the bomb. This bomb had two encrypted passwords hidden in different, undisclosed locations in memory. To make this project a bit easier, the program for the bomb was written so that each character typed in was stored consecutively in a random place in memory and only when a return character was detected did the program go through the process of checking its validity. The moment one of the characters didn't match the pattern, an output started printing showing that the bomb blew up. The second thing given to us was a program that showed all of the registers, the information stored within them in binary and hexadecimal, and the entirety of what is stored in memory in binary, hexadecimal, and Register Transfer Language. This program also was able to run and refresh the bomb program so that every time you ran through the process of typing in a code and pressing enter the entire program started from scratch so that you didn't have to worry about the code rewriting itself (which it would do if you weren't careful to refresh everything every go) and could focus solely on the way it functioned and interacted with the computer's memory. This project kicked my butt initially to the point that I considered switching majors just to get away from it, but by the second day of decoding the Register Transfer Language commands that we hadn't been taught and taking the time to play with the different functions (and, or, and not) and how they worked with base 2 math and ASCII conversions I was hooked just as thoroughly as if I'd picked up a Michael Creighton or Robin Cook book, and the sense of exhilaration I got when I figured out not only where in memory the passwords were stored but how to decode them was almost unparalleled when it comes to any other experience I've had in academia. Honestly, this was the project that made me 100% sure that I had made the right decision to get a degree in computer science.

My goal in life is to support the creative and academic dreams of as many people as I possibly could. To meet that goal I've obtained a degree in psychology (so I can better understand those around me), I am currently working on a degree in computer science (so I can better understand technology as a whole and how that could be used to better our interactions with both the world and each other), and I plan to get a master's degree in Library and Information Science (so I can either help my community as a public librarian, help people with their education and research needs as an academic librarian, or hopefully spark a passion for learning in the coming generations as a museum curator). Outside of education, I have spent my time picking up as many skills as possible: origami, pottery making, smelting, silversmithing, beginner blacksmithing, jewelry making, puzzle making, sewing, coding in 3 different coding languages, woodworking, spice making, crochet, landscaping, digital art, video editing, leatherwork, beadwork, manage a small nursery, blog, manage my own personal collection of books as a friends and family library, et cetera. The one good thing about my specific brand of autism (I am actually autistic according to the dsm5 and not trying to use the term autistic in a flippant or derogatory way) is that my special interest is skill collecting and knowledge gathering, and that has been extremely useful in my dealings with others; especially since people tend to come to me for help when they are struggling with learning a subject, need tutoring for their kids, need help building something, or just want interesting bits of trivia on random topics. While there are many who know more than I do about specific subjects, I have been told that I have a knack for explaining difficult topics in a way that makes them easily digestible and I try to use that to help as many people as I can. As a black, disabled (autism and multiple sclerosis), non-binary person, I think it is extremely important that people get representation from their communities in as many places as possible so that they know without a doubt that, whatever path they may take in life, with enough work they can become whatever they wish to be. My goal with this scholarship money is to finish this degree and not only become someone who can be looked up to but a person who can help others find the path to success in whatever field they may choose.