MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words that caught my attention as I perused my dad's textbooks during my formative years. Growing up with a father who was a senior database administrator, I had the privilege of having my endless questions answered, which sparked my passion for coding. Even at the tender age of 6, my dad encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. As I delved deeper into his work, I gradually discovered the limitless potential behind his profession, and my thirst for knowledge grew exponentially. At the age of 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform that offered coding instruction. It was through this platform that I built my very first piece of software—a cat-themed website. This achievement further fueled my desire to learn more. With unwavering dedication, I embarked on tireless self-study, enrolling in online boot camps and earning certifications in various programming languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and JavaScript. However, as I progressed through my academic journey, I often encountered moments of boredom in my regular classes, particularly when there were limited opportunities to explore coding. Fortunately, my older brothers had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering, serving as my guiding lights. I sought their mentorship and advice, following their footsteps and excelling in my studies to pave the way for a future as a computer science major. Their support and the example they set played a significant role in shaping my academic path. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. Ranging from extraordinary students from all over the United States, there was no shortage of vivacious scholarship within my group. At our first meeting, we threw ourselves into brainstorming ideas for our final project. Inspired by the nonverbal speakers and teachers we had met, my group decided to create a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. The field of Electrical Engineering, which I am now pursuing, aligns harmoniously with my passion for computer science and ethics. Within the technical electives of my program, I have the opportunity to continue engaging with computer science through courses such as Deep Machine Learning and Algorithms. Additionally, I can reinforce my passion for robotics and AI ethics by taking introductory-level robotics classes. The news frequently references the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its propensity to perpetuate bias and oppression against marginalized communities through biased input data. As a minority in the STEM field, it is my aspiration to deepen my understanding of computer vision, robotics, and AI through my coursework. By doing so, I aim to contribute to the dismantling of unethical practices within technology-related fields. As a Vietnamese American female student, my upbringing and life experiences have had a profound impact on who I am today and have fostered a strong commitment to making a difference. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges and barriers, which have further fueled my determination to pursue my passions. These experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. I have learned to navigate through obstacles and advocate for equitable opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the STEM field.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words that caught my attention as I perused my dad's textbooks during my formative years. Growing up with a father who was a senior database administrator, I had the privilege of having my endless questions answered, which sparked my passion for coding. Even at the tender age of 6, my dad encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. As I delved deeper into his work, I gradually discovered the limitless potential behind his profession, and my thirst for knowledge grew exponentially. At the age of 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform that offered coding instruction. It was through this platform that I built my very first piece of software—a cat-themed website. This achievement further fueled my desire to learn more. With unwavering dedication, I embarked on tireless self-study, enrolling in online boot camps and earning certifications in various programming languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and JavaScript. However, as I progressed through my academic journey, I often encountered moments of boredom in my regular classes, particularly when there were limited opportunities to explore coding. Fortunately, my older brothers had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering, serving as my guiding lights. I sought their mentorship and advice, following their footsteps and excelling in my studies to pave the way for a future as a computer science major. Their support and the example they set played a significant role in shaping my academic path. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. Ranging from extraordinary students from all over the United States, there was no shortage of vivacious scholarship within my group. At our first meeting, we threw ourselves into brainstorming ideas for our final project. Inspired by the nonverbal speakers and teachers we had met, my group decided to create a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. The field of Electrical Engineering, which I am now pursuing, aligns harmoniously with my passion for computer science and ethics. Within the technical electives of my program, I have the opportunity to continue engaging with computer science through courses such as Deep Machine Learning and Algorithms. Additionally, I can reinforce my passion for robotics and AI ethics by taking introductory-level robotics classes. The news frequently references the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its propensity to perpetuate bias and oppression against marginalized communities through biased input data. As a minority in the STEM field, it is my aspiration to deepen my understanding of computer vision, robotics, and AI through my coursework. By doing so, I aim to contribute to the dismantling of unethical practices within technology-related fields. As a Vietnamese American female student, my upbringing and life experiences have had a profound impact on who I am today and have fostered a strong commitment to making a difference. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges and barriers, which have further fueled my determination to pursue my passions. These experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. I have learned to navigate through obstacles and advocate for equitable opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the STEM field.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words that caught my attention as I perused my dad's textbooks during my formative years. Growing up with a father who was a senior database administrator, I had the privilege of having my endless questions answered, which sparked my passion for coding. Even at the tender age of 6, my dad encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. As I delved deeper into his work, I gradually discovered the limitless potential behind his profession, and my thirst for knowledge grew exponentially. At the age of 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform that offered coding instruction. It was through this platform that I built my very first piece of software—a cat-themed website. This achievement further fueled my desire to learn more. With unwavering dedication, I embarked on tireless self-study, enrolling in online boot camps and earning certifications in various programming languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and JavaScript. However, as I progressed through my academic journey, I often encountered moments of boredom in my regular classes, particularly when there were limited opportunities to explore coding. Fortunately, my older brothers had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering, serving as my guiding lights. I sought their mentorship and advice, following their footsteps and excelling in my studies to pave the way for a future as a computer science major. Their support and the example they set played a significant role in shaping my academic path. Throughout my pursuit of knowledge in computer science, I have been fortunate to find an abundance of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs that have nurtured my passion for coding. From those initial glimpses at my dad's textbooks, I have transformed into a mentor for other aspiring computer scientists, guiding them in nurturing their initial interests and helping them develop a genuine passion for the field. The field of Electrical Engineering, which I am now pursuing, aligns harmoniously with my passion for computer science and ethics. Within the technical electives of my program, I have the opportunity to continue engaging with computer science through courses such as Deep Machine Learning and Algorithms. Additionally, I can reinforce my passion for robotics and AI ethics by taking introductory-level robotics classes. The news frequently references the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its propensity to perpetuate bias and oppression against marginalized communities through biased input data. This includes instances where deep convolutional neural networks, utilized in policing algorithms, have disproportionately led to the incarceration of minority men. Yet, improved computer vision and the ethical application of AI and robotics can serve to rectify these injustices. As a minority in the STEM field, it is my aspiration to deepen my understanding of computer vision, robotics, and AI through my coursework. By doing so, I aim to contribute to the dismantling of unethical practices within technology-related fields. As a Vietnamese American female student, my upbringing and life experiences have had a profound impact on who I am today and have fostered a strong commitment to making a difference. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges and barriers, which have further fueled my determination to pursue my passions. These experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. I have learned to navigate through obstacles and advocate for equitable opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the STEM field.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words that caught my attention as I perused my dad's textbooks during my formative years. Growing up with a father who was a senior database administrator, I had the privilege of having my endless questions answered, which sparked my passion for coding. Even at the tender age of 6, my dad encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. As I delved deeper into his work, I gradually discovered the limitless potential behind his profession, and my thirst for knowledge grew exponentially. At the age of 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform that offered coding instruction. It was through this platform that I built my very first piece of software—a cat-themed website. This achievement further fueled my desire to learn more. With unwavering dedication, I embarked on tireless self-study, enrolling in online boot camps and earning certifications in various programming languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and JavaScript. However, as I progressed through my academic journey, I often encountered moments of boredom in my regular classes, particularly when there were limited opportunities to explore coding. Fortunately, my older brothers had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering, serving as my guiding lights. I sought their mentorship and advice, following their footsteps and excelling in my studies to pave the way for a future as a computer science major. Their support and the example they set played a significant role in shaping my academic path. Throughout my pursuit of knowledge in computer science, I have been fortunate to find an abundance of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs that have nurtured my passion for coding. From those initial glimpses at my dad's textbooks, I have transformed into a mentor for other aspiring computer scientists, guiding them in nurturing their initial interests and helping them develop a genuine passion for the field. The field of Electrical Engineering, which I am now pursuing, aligns harmoniously with my passion for computer science and ethics. Within the technical electives of my program, I have the opportunity to continue engaging with computer science through courses such as Deep Machine Learning and Algorithms. Additionally, I can reinforce my passion for robotics and AI ethics by taking introductory-level robotics classes. The news frequently references the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its propensity to perpetuate bias and oppression against marginalized communities through biased input data. This includes instances where deep convolutional neural networks, utilized in policing algorithms, have disproportionately led to the incarceration of minority men. Yet, improved computer vision and the ethical application of AI and robotics can serve to rectify these injustices. As a minority in the STEM field, it is my aspiration to deepen my understanding of computer vision, robotics, and AI through my coursework. By doing so, I aim to contribute to the dismantling of unethical practices within technology-related fields. As a Vietnamese American female student, my upbringing and life experiences have had a profound impact on who I am today and have fostered a strong commitment to making a difference. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges and barriers, which have further fueled my determination to pursue my passions. These experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. I have learned to navigate through obstacles and advocate for equitable opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the STEM field.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words that caught my attention as I perused my dad's textbooks during my formative years. Growing up with a father who was a senior database administrator, I had the privilege of having my endless questions answered, which sparked my passion for coding. Even at the tender age of 6, my dad encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. As I delved deeper into his work, I gradually discovered the limitless potential behind his profession, and my thirst for knowledge grew exponentially. At the age of 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform that offered coding instruction. It was through this platform that I built my very first piece of software—a cat-themed website. This achievement further fueled my desire to learn more. With unwavering dedication, I embarked on tireless self-study, enrolling in online boot camps and earning certifications in various programming languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and JavaScript. However, as I progressed through my academic journey, I often encountered moments of boredom in my regular classes, particularly when there were limited opportunities to explore coding. Fortunately, my older brothers had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering, serving as my guiding lights. I sought their mentorship and advice, following their footsteps and excelling in my studies to pave the way for a future as a computer science major. Their support and the example they set played a significant role in shaping my academic path. Throughout my pursuit of knowledge in computer science, I have been fortunate to find an abundance of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs that have nurtured my passion for coding. From those initial glimpses at my dad's textbooks, I have transformed into a mentor for other aspiring computer scientists, guiding them in nurturing their initial interests and helping them develop a genuine passion for the field. The field of Electrical Engineering, which I am now pursuing, aligns harmoniously with my passion for computer science and ethics. Within the technical electives of my program, I have the opportunity to continue engaging with computer science through courses such as Deep Machine Learning and Algorithms. Additionally, I can reinforce my passion for robotics and AI ethics by taking introductory-level robotics classes. The news frequently references the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and its propensity to perpetuate bias and oppression against marginalized communities through biased input data. This includes instances where deep convolutional neural networks, utilized in policing algorithms, have disproportionately led to the incarceration of minority men. Yet, improved computer vision and the ethical application of AI and robotics can serve to rectify these injustices. As a minority in the STEM field, it is my aspiration to deepen my understanding of computer vision, robotics, and AI through my coursework. By doing so, I aim to contribute to the dismantling of unethical practices within technology-related fields. As a Vietnamese American female student, my upbringing and life experiences have had a profound impact on who I am today and have fostered a strong commitment to making a difference. Throughout my journey, I have encountered various challenges and barriers, which have further fueled my determination to pursue my passions. These experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity. I have learned to navigate through obstacles and advocate for equitable opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the STEM field.

As a fellow teenager and the founder of a mental health app targeting gifted children within our school community, my career goals are aimed at fostering their social-emotional well-being and meeting their intellectual needs. Globally, many students, including gifted children, are grappling with mental health issues exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is evident not only in our daily school experiences and interactions but also through student well-being data. To address this pressing issue, our school's Office of Institutional Research conducted the Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences, which revealed consistent trends of inadequate mental health care among students. Shockingly, 50.8% of students reported feeling constant pressure to perform well academically. Additionally, 39.9% of students expressed always feeling stressed about their school work, while 41% stated they were often stressed. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective solutions to help students manage their stress and prioritize their overall health. It is crucial that we address this problem because its implications extend far beyond the confines of school. Unaddressed mental health issues can significantly impact a child's entire life. These issues not only hinder academic performance but also undermine the ability to form strong emotional connections and support systems with others. As school performance declines, so does emotional well-being and student happiness. This pattern is often fueled by self-imposed academic pressures. Consequently, the ability to establish robust social bonds and support systems within our school community diminishes significantly. With fewer support systems in place, students find themselves trapped in a cycle of misery, exacerbating their overall well-being and life circumstances. Here is where my mental health app, Daydream, comes into play. Daydream specifically targets high-stress, teenage gifted students who strive to improve their mental health habits. We begin by implementing the app at our home school and gradually tailor its features to meet the needs of each app-sanctioned school going forward. The app's primary focus is to create a low-stress environment where students can freely express their personal burdens in a safe and anonymous space. Through various features, we aim to replace negative coping mechanisms with healthy short- and long-term strategies, equipping students to tackle the growing mental health challenges they face and prepare them for real-life scenarios. To ensure that Daydream meets the specific needs of our school, we conducted a survey among IMSA students to identify the most crucial features for improving their mental health. The results were enlightening. 100% of survey participants emphasized the importance of the chat community feature, as it allows them to communicate their burdens to others and foster a strong sense of community within the app. Additionally, 63% of students expressed the need for personalized help, while 45.5% highlighted the importance of one-on-one interactions with counselors and mentors. One student's response resonated with the overall sentiment, stating, "...I love the concept of the app, and I think you have already addressed a lot of the concerns attached to a mental health app, such as bullying and privacy. I would love to be involved in any way." Based on this feedback, Daydream incorporates several major features, including games & goals, chat communities, events, and resource connections. Furthermore, we have recognized the significance of increasing access to IMSA counselors, acknowledging that some users may not initially feel comfortable engaging in direct conversations. To address this concern, our app includes a therapy/counseling feature that serves as a cover page, providing a link to the virtual sign-up page for the school counselors of each Daydream-sanctioned school. By pursuing my career goals as a startup founder of a mental health app targeting gifted children within our school community, I aim to foster their social-emotional well-being and cater to their intellectual needs. Daydream will provide these gifted students with a supportive platform to navigate their mental health challenges and establish a strong sense of community. Through innovative features, personalized assistance, and access to counseling resources, we will empower these students to enhance their mental well-being, ultimately facilitating their overall growth and success.

Growing up, I was exposed to the world of coding through my father's textbooks. Words like MySQL, COBOL, AWS, and Microsoft Azure were boldly printed on those pages, and I would often ask my dad endless questions about them. His patient answers ignited my passion for coding at a young age. At the tender age of 6, my dad would let me flip through the manuals he borrowed from the library. As time went on, I began to grasp the immense potential behind my dad's work, and my thirst for knowledge grew. When I was 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online platform for coding instruction. With its help, I built my very first software - a cat-themed website. This experience fueled my desire to learn more. I embarked on tireless self-study through online boot camps, earning certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. As I grew up, I often experienced boredom in my regular classes, as coding-related learning opportunities were limited in my schools. Thankfully, I had the guidance and mentorship of my older brothers, who had pursued STEM-related majors in information technology and civil engineering. I followed their footsteps, excelling in my studies to become a computer science major. Since then, I have actively sought out various pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to nourish my passion for coding. From those initial glances at my father's textbooks, I have evolved into a mentor for other budding computer scientists, nurturing their initial interest and helping them develop a true passion for the field. Ambition, self-reflection, and collaboration have been fundamental principles that have guided my exploration of computer science. Ever since I delved into my dad's work textbooks on data administration at the age of 6, I have been driven by ambition to explore every aspect of this vast field. This ambition has propelled me from building basic Python calculators and HTML websites as a middle schooler to conducting research as a machine learning engineer with Carnegie Mellon University. Moreover, self-reflection has played a crucial role in my journey. I recognize the privilege that comes with possessing technical coding knowledge, and I strive to utilize it for the betterment of marginalized communities and other students, empowering them with STEM education and opportunities. Lastly, collaboration and the inclusion of diverse perspectives have been key in shaping my understanding of the world through mathematics. I recognize the significance of working together and valuing different viewpoints to solve complex problems and create meaningful solutions. In summary, my fascination with math stems from my early exposure to coding and the principles instilled in me by my father's textbooks. The principles of mathematics have shaped my understanding of the world by fostering ambition, self-reflection, and collaboration. They have inspired me to explore the vast possibilities of computer science and to use my knowledge to make a positive impact on society.

The most valuable financial advice I've received is to create a budget that includes both essential expenses and activities I enjoy. Trying to stick to a rigid budget that restricts all the things I love is counterproductive, just like following a strict diet that doesn't allow any indulgences. When I started my first job in high school, I struggled to make ends meet due to low income, credit card debt, and student loans. I attempted budgeting based on a rough estimate of my monthly income but often fell short because I didn't have a realistic understanding of my spending habits. A colleague then shared some insightful advice with me. They suggested that I create a budget that realistically incorporates activities I enjoy or treats for myself. By doing so, my budget would feel less restrictive and more productive. This advice has had a significant impact on my life. For instance, I acknowledged that I often spend a significant amount on Amazon purchases. Instead of cutting them off completely, I set a dollar limit for my Amazon expenses. I also allocated funds for occasional weekend trips with my family and a monthly gym membership of $50. As a Vietnamese American female student pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, I have received valuable financial advice that has shaped my approach to managing my finances. The guidance I received emphasizes the significance of creating a budget and diligently tracking expenses, highlighting the importance of being mindful of financial decisions and understanding where money is allocated. Throughout my college journey and beyond, I intend to apply this advice effectively. I plan to develop a comprehensive budget that encompasses all my expenses, including tuition, textbooks, housing, transportation, and personal needs. By carefully analyzing and prioritizing my expenses, I will allocate funds appropriately, ensuring that essential items are covered first. Regularly tracking my expenses will provide me with a clear understanding of my spending patterns and allow me to identify areas where adjustments or cutbacks can be made. This practice will enable me to make informed financial decisions, preventing unnecessary or impulsive spending. Moreover, I will actively seek opportunities to save money by exploring cost-effective options for textbooks, such as considering used or rented books and utilizing online resources whenever possible. I will also take advantage of student discounts and campus resources to minimize expenses. Additionally, I will dedicate time to researching and applying for scholarships, grants, and work-study programs that align with my field of study and personal background. By actively pursuing these opportunities, I aim to reduce the financial burden of student loans and contribute to my educational expenses. Participating in work-study programs and earning scholarships will not only alleviate financial pressure but also provide valuable experiences and opportunities for growth. Looking beyond college, I am committed to carrying the mindset of budgeting and expense tracking into my professional life. By maintaining financial discipline, making informed financial decisions, and setting financial goals, I aim to build a strong foundation for my future. I will seek opportunities for professional growth and continuously explore avenues for financial stability. In addition, I will continue to save for retirement from an early age, taking advantage of opportunities such as 401(k) contributions. By adopting these financial principles, I aim to build a solid foundation for my future and ensure financial stability and comfort throughout my life. Additionally, I will actively seek out scholarships, grants, and work-study programs to reduce the financial burden of student loans. I will dedicate time to researching and applying for scholarships relevant to my field of study and personal background. By earning scholarships and participating in work-study programs, I can contribute to my educational expenses and potentially minimize the amount of debt I accumulate. Overall, the financial advice I have received regarding budgeting and tracking expenses will serve as a guiding principle throughout my college journey and beyond. It will help me maintain financial responsibility, make informed financial decisions, and lay the groundwork for a secure and successful financial future. As a Vietnamese American female student pursuing electrical engineering, I plan to incorporate these valuable financial lessons into my life. I will create a realistic budget that includes both essential expenses and enjoyable activities. By understanding and tracking my spending patterns, I will make informed financial decisions and work towards a secure and successful future. Beyond college, I plan to carry this budgeting and expense tracking mindset into my professional life. By maintaining financial discipline and making informed financial decisions, I aim to build a strong foundation for my future. This includes saving and investing wisely, setting financial goals, and continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth and financial stability.

As a Vietnamese American female student in electrical engineering entering college as a freshman, I am actively working on addressing my current and future student loan debt through a combination of strategies. Firstly, I am actively seeking out scholarships and grants that are specifically targeted towards students in STEM fields or underrepresented minorities. I understand the importance of leveraging financial aid opportunities to alleviate the burden of student loans. I am researching and applying for various scholarships that align with my academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal background. Additionally, I am exploring work-study programs and part-time job opportunities on campus to contribute towards my educational expenses. By securing employment while studying, I can earn income to help cover some of the costs associated with tuition, textbooks, and living expenses. Furthermore, I am committed to managing my finances responsibly throughout my college journey. I plan to create a budget and track my expenses diligently to ensure that I am making informed decisions regarding my spending habits. By prioritizing financial discipline, I aim to minimize unnecessary expenditures and allocate funds effectively towards essential academic needs. Moreover, I am actively seeking internship opportunities and research experiences within my field of study. These opportunities not only provide valuable hands-on experience and skill development but can also offer financial compensation. By securing paid internships or research positions, I can contribute towards my educational expenses while gaining practical knowledge in my field. Lastly, I am continuously exploring additional avenues for financial assistance, such as external grants or sponsorships. I understand that there are organizations and foundations that support students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines, and I am actively researching and reaching out to these entities to inquire about potential funding opportunities. While I recognize the challenges associated with student loan debt, I am determined to take proactive steps to mitigate its impact on my future. Through a combination of scholarships, part-time employment, responsible financial management, internships, and seeking external financial support, I am confident that I can navigate and address my current and future student loan debt effectively. With the assistance of scholarships, I will not only be able to focus on my computer science education but also have the resources and experiences necessary to become a mentor and advocate for other underrepresented individuals in STEM fields. This scholarship will provide me with the means to volunteer my resources and contribute even more to the advancement and empowerment of women in STEM. Despite my financial struggles, I am committed to achieving academic and professional success and making a positive impact in my community.

As a fellow teenager and the founder of a mental health app targeting gifted children within our school community, my career goals are aimed at fostering their social-emotional well-being and meeting their intellectual needs. Globally, many students, including gifted children, are grappling with mental health issues exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is evident not only in our daily school experiences and interactions but also through student well-being data. To address this pressing issue, our school's Office of Institutional Research conducted the Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences, which revealed consistent trends of inadequate mental health care among students. Shockingly, 50.8% of students reported feeling constant pressure to perform well academically. Additionally, 39.9% of students expressed always feeling stressed about their school work, while 41% stated they were often stressed. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective solutions to help students manage their stress and prioritize their overall health. It is crucial that we address this problem because its implications extend far beyond the confines of school. Unaddressed mental health issues can significantly impact a child's entire life. These issues not only hinder academic performance but also undermine the ability to form strong emotional connections and support systems with others. As school performance declines, so does emotional well-being and student happiness. This pattern is often fueled by self-imposed academic pressures. Consequently, the ability to establish robust social bonds and support systems within our school community diminishes significantly. With fewer support systems in place, students find themselves trapped in a cycle of misery, exacerbating their overall well-being and life circumstances. Here is where my mental health app, Daydream, comes into play. Daydream specifically targets high-stress, teenage gifted students who strive to improve their mental health habits. We begin by implementing the app at our home school and gradually tailor its features to meet the needs of each app-sanctioned school going forward. The app's primary focus is to create a low-stress environment where students can freely express their personal burdens in a safe and anonymous space. Through various features, we aim to replace negative coping mechanisms with healthy short- and long-term strategies, equipping students to tackle the growing mental health challenges they face and prepare them for real-life scenarios. To ensure that Daydream meets the specific needs of our school, we conducted a survey among IMSA students to identify the most crucial features for improving their mental health. The results were enlightening. 100% of survey participants emphasized the importance of the chat community feature, as it allows them to communicate their burdens to others and foster a strong sense of community within the app. Additionally, 63% of students expressed the need for personalized help, while 45.5% highlighted the importance of one-on-one interactions with counselors and mentors. One student's response resonated with the overall sentiment, stating, "...I love the concept of the app, and I think you have already addressed a lot of the concerns attached to a mental health app, such as bullying and privacy. I would love to be involved in any way." Based on this feedback, Daydream incorporates several major features, including games & goals, chat communities, events, and resource connections. Furthermore, we have recognized the significance of increasing access to IMSA counselors, acknowledging that some users may not initially feel comfortable engaging in direct conversations. To address this concern, our app includes a therapy/counseling feature that serves as a cover page, providing a link to the virtual sign-up page for the school counselors of each Daydream-sanctioned school. By pursuing my career goals as a startup founder of a mental health app targeting gifted children within our school community, I aim to foster their social-emotional well-being and cater to their intellectual needs. Daydream will provide these gifted students with a supportive platform to navigate their mental health challenges and establish a strong sense of community. Through innovative features, personalized assistance, and access to counseling resources, we will empower these students to enhance their mental well-being, ultimately facilitating their overall growth and success.

Through my volunteer work with Girls Who Code (GWC) and Kode With Klossy (KWK), I have learned so much about computer science and its potential to help to build an equitable society from other women. From my first GWC summer camp in 8th grade, I have built essential programming skills as well as improved teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills. The opportunity to interact with industry-leading women has provided me with in-depth knowledge to navigate the CS industry as a young woman of color. My mentorship from Manuela Veloso, head of AI research at JPMorgan Chase, has shaped my goal as a service-motivated leader in equity. From there, I have thrown myself into working with diverse peers to gain perspective on global issues to solve with coding, learning from middle schoolers and college students to international students in Africa and Asia. As a KWK instructor, I have shared these lessons with others. Overall, these courses inspired me to volunteer my work and continue in computer science by providing access to a community of reliable peers undergoing similar struggles. Since then, I have strived to gain intimate knowledge and diverse perspectives on STEM technology to help other marginalized communities. This past summer, I participated in the AI4ALL program at Carnegie Mellon University to continue this work. After three weeks of lectures on AI/CS, ethics, as well as industry-level machine learning theories, I presented a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to bridge the communication divide between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Not only did I collaborate with my peers and teachers to help local communities, but I also saw how I can actively work to aid equity through my personal projects. I would like to continue this research and overall mission of innovation and volunteering so that I can continue to help underserved populations and diversify my view on ethics. As a scholarship recipient, I would continue to build equitable partnerships and technologies through collaboration. The financial assistance would not only allow me to learn more about computer science, but it would also give me the resources and experience necessary to grow into a mentor for other budding minorities in STEM. So far, I have only been able to contribute to research experiences and internship projects that have been on full-scholarship basis, meaning that my pool of opportunities has been severely limited. With additional funds, I can contribute to even more projects and fields. Historically, I have been limited as a government Free Lunch qualifying student who is also on fee waiver from going to certain prep programs and research opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted my family's ability to fund college as well, from job losses and layoffs, to demotions reducing many's paychecks. I can achieve even greater success even through my financial struggle with the assistance of this scholarship to volunteer even more of my resources to other women in STEM.

The power of diverse voices in public relations is immense, and I strongly believe that it can shape public narratives in a positive and inclusive manner. As someone who has been involved in community engagement and storytelling through social media, I understand the value of diverse perspectives and the impact they can have in shaping public opinion. By featuring a range of voices and perspectives, we can create a more nuanced and accurate representation of different issues and communities. Through my experience as the Humans of IMSA president and the Robotics Relations Head for Titan Robotics, I have learned the importance of inclusivity and diversity in engaging with different communities. By sharing personal stories and engaging with sponsors and students from various backgrounds, I have seen firsthand how different perspectives can add value to a conversation and create a more comprehensive understanding of a topic. As the Humans of IMSA president, managing a Facebook page reaching over 1000 people per post that shares personal stories to build meaningful connections, demonstrates my passion for storytelling and community engagement. I have also gained experience working in a team environment, as I hired, trained, and oversaw a team of 15 students to complete media and outreach projects. As the Robotics Relations Head for Titan Robotics, a FIRST robotics team based out of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, I developed my communication and organization skills by managing the team's budget documents and inventory. Additionally, I engaged with sponsors and students through posts on the team website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and delivered monthly newsletters to over 10 sponsors, including Caterpillar, Walmart, and SolidWorks. I believe that my skills in critical thinking, communication, and project management, combined with my passion for community engagement and storytelling, make me a valuable asset to any public relations team. I am excited to bring my skills to a dynamic and fast-paced environment and work collaboratively with a team of talented reporters, editors, and photographers to create impactful content that represents diverse perspectives and communities. In summary, I believe that the power of diverse voices in public relations can have a significant impact on shaping public narratives by creating a more inclusive and nuanced representation of different issues and communities. My experience in community engagement, storytelling, and project management, combined with my passion for inclusivity and diversity, make me a strong advocate for the power of diverse voices in shaping public opinion.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words I would read from my dad’s textbooks growing up. As a senior database administrator, my dad answered my endless questions on these words, beginning my passion for coding. At 6, he freely let me flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. Over time, I began to realize the limitless potential behind my dad’s work and thirsted to learn more. At 9, he introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online coding instruction website that helped me to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. From there, I self-studied tirelessly from more online boot camps, gaining certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Boredom in my classes was common as I grew up, especially when there were few coding-related learning opportunities in my schools. However, my older brothers had matriculated into STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, so I relied on them for mentorship and advice. Following their leads, I excelled in my studies so I could become a computer science major. Since, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding. From those initial glances at those textbooks, I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists to nurture that initial interest into passion. Through my work with Girls Who Code (GWC) and Kode With Klossy (KWK), I have learned so much about computer science and its potential to help to build an equitable society from other women. From my first GWC summer camp in 8th grade, I have built essential programming skills as well as improved teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills. The opportunity to interact with industry-leading women has provided me with in-depth knowledge to navigate the CS industry as a young woman of color. My mentorship from Manuela Veloso, head of AI research at JPMorgan Chase, has shaped my goal as a service-motivated leader in equity. From there, I have thrown myself into working with diverse peers to gain perspective on global issues to solve with coding, learning from middle schoolers and college students to international students in Africa and Asia. As a KWK instructor, I have shared these lessons with others. Overall, these courses inspired me to continue in computer science by providing access to a community of reliable peers undergoing similar struggles. Since then, I have strived to gain intimate knowledge and diverse perspectives on STEM technology to help other marginalized communities. This past summer, I participated in the AI4ALL program at Carnegie Mellon University to continue this work. After three weeks of lectures on AI/CS, ethics, as well as industry-level machine learning theories, I presented a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to bridge the communication divide between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Not only did I collaborate with my peers and teachers to help local communities, but I also saw how I can actively work to aid equity through my personal projects. I would like to continue this research so that I can continue to help underserved populations and diversify my view on ethics.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words I would read from my dad’s textbooks growing up. As a senior database administrator, my dad answered my endless questions on these words, beginning my passion for coding. At 6, he let me flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. Over time, I realized the limitless potential behind my dad’s work and thirsted to learn more. At 9, he introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online coding instruction website that helped me to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. From there, I self-studied tirelessly from more online boot camps, gaining certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Boredom in my classes was common as I grew up, especially when there were few coding-related learning opportunities in my schools. However, my older brothers had matriculated into STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, so I relied on them for mentorship and advice. Following their leads, I excelled in my studies so I could become a computer science major. Since, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding. From those initial glances at those textbooks, I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists to nurture that initial interest into a passion. After college, I would continue to build equitable partnerships and technologies through collaboration as an artificial intelligence (AI) architect, building models that lessened bias and increased equity. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. Inspired by the nonverbal speakers and teachers we met, my group created a model that detected American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Over the hours of work put into creating our neural network model and amassing our data using our group members as models, we realized the progress collaboration brings. Diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. Once completed, our work not only helped local deaf communities but taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. I learned the value of collaboration with my peers and teachers to help local communities and aid equity through my computer science projects, which I would continue as an AI network architect. By using my values of ambition, self-reflection, and collaboration, I could use my technical knowledge to guide other young minority students into STEM with the Voila Natural Lifestyle Scholarship. Ambition has led me to push the bounds of my knowledge and learn new things within STEM fields, especially mathematics and machine learning. By collaborating with diverse peers across the world in programs focusing on youth innovation such as AI4ALL, I am showing these students how to work toward their goals.

As a high school freshman, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. It was a difficult time for me and my family. We were worried about our health and safety, as well as the economic impact the pandemic was having on our community. During this time, I also witnessed the toll that the pandemic was taking on people's mental health. I saw how the isolation, uncertainty, and fear were affecting my friends and family. It was then that I realized the importance of mental healthcare and how critical it is to destigmatize mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic inspired me to get involved in the mental health field. I wanted to help make a difference in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. That's when I became involved with Daydream, a mental health startup created by my team and I, students who were passionate about creative problem-solving. Through Daydream, we aim to bridge the gap in accessibility and acceptability of mental healthcare for marginalized communities. We provide a virtual platform for therapy and support groups that are catered towards underserved communities. We also prioritize user safety with our secure filter system, ensuring that our users have a safe space to discuss mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic has solidified my passion for the mental health field, and I am eager to utilize my skills in machine learning and computer science to develop innovative solutions to the challenges we face in this area. As a machine learning enthusiast, I believe that the implementation of data-driven approaches can significantly enhance the effectiveness of mental health treatments and interventions. With the right resources and support, I am dedicated to contributing to the development of intelligent tools and models that can help in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. As an AI4ALL scholar, my experience last summer at Carnegie Mellon University was a turning point in my career aspirations. During those three weeks, I had the opportunity to learn from industry experts in AI and ethics, and work on equity-focused projects in small groups with other exceptional students from all over the United States. One of the projects my group worked on was creating a model that could detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. As we built the data for our model, fueled by a constant stream of steaming matcha lattes, we realized the progress collaboration can bring - diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. While the project helped local deaf communities, it also taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in the mental health field, where I hope to apply my skills and knowledge in machine learning and computer science to create innovative solutions to social issues. I believe that by incorporating diverse perspectives and collaboration, we can make a significant impact on suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices.

Growing up as a Chinese-American, I never truly saw the linguistic disparities between my American upbringing and my Chinese identity until recently. Through my participation in Stanford's China Scholars Program, I have gained a newfound appreciation for my native culture and the importance of diverse perspectives. Despite initial language barriers, I was able to build meaningful connections with my Chinese peers, ultimately inspiring me to reflect on global ethical issues and the importance of including diverse perspectives in my work. Staying resilient through the lingual challenges allowed me to build a safe space for my Chinese peers to share their true thoughts and gather meaningful testimony. The personal correspondence with them has inspired me to continue reflecting on global ethical issues and uplifting the importance of including diverse perspectives going forward in my work. At the same time, my passion for coding was sparked at a young age by my dad, a senior database administrator, who answered my endless questions and let me flip through his textbooks. Though I faced isolation from my peers and struggled with imposter syndrome, I relied on the mentorship and advice of my older brothers, both STEM majors. Since then, I have found no shortage of opportunities to pursue my passion for coding, specializing in fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence and becoming a mentor to other budding computer scientists. In the future, I hope to combine my computer science skills with my passion for social justice and diversity. Specifically, I am interested in developing technology that addresses social and environmental issues, such as using machine learning to predict and prevent environmental disasters. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. Ranging from extraordinary students from all over the United States, there was no shortage of vivacious scholarship within my group. At our first meeting, we threw ourselves into brainstorming ideas for our final project. Inspired by the nonverbal speakers and teachers we had met, my group decided to create a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. I believe that by combining my technical skills with my passion for creating positive change in the world, I can make a meaningful impact. Overall, my computer science goals and non-computer science goals are both driven by a desire to create positive change and promote diversity and inclusion. Whether through developing technology that addresses social and environmental issues or exploring the intersection of technology and music, I hope to use my skills and passions to make a meaningful impact in the world.

As a high school freshman, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. It was a difficult time for me and my family. We were worried about our health and safety, as well as the economic impact the pandemic was having on our community. During this time, I also witnessed the toll that the pandemic was taking on people's mental health. I saw how the isolation, uncertainty, and fear were affecting my friends and family. It was then that I realized the importance of mental healthcare and how critical it is to destigmatize mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic inspired me to get involved in the mental health field. I wanted to help make a difference in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. That's when I became involved with Daydream, a mental health startup created by my team and I, students who were passionate about creative problem-solving. Through Daydream, we aim to bridge the gap in accessibility and acceptability of mental healthcare for marginalized communities. We provide a virtual platform for therapy and support groups that are catered towards underserved communities. We also prioritize user safety with our secure filter system, ensuring that our users have a safe space to discuss mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic has solidified my passion for the mental health field, and I am eager to utilize my skills in machine learning and computer science to develop innovative solutions to the challenges we face in this area. As a machine learning enthusiast, I believe that the implementation of data-driven approaches can significantly enhance the effectiveness of mental health treatments and interventions. With the right resources and support, I am dedicated to contributing to the development of intelligent tools and models that can help in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. As an AI4ALL scholar, my experience last summer at Carnegie Mellon University was a turning point in my career aspirations. During those three weeks, I had the opportunity to learn from industry experts in AI and ethics, and work on equity-focused projects in small groups with other exceptional students from all over the United States. One of the projects my group worked on was creating a model that could detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. As we built the data for our model, fueled by a constant stream of steaming matcha lattes, we realized the progress collaboration can bring - diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. While the project helped local deaf communities, it also taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in the mental health field, where I hope to apply my skills and knowledge in machine learning and computer science to create innovative solutions to social issues. I believe that by incorporating diverse perspectives and collaboration, we can make a significant impact on suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices.

My biggest role model is my dad, who instilled in me a love for coding from a young age. Growing up, I would see him pouring over thick textbooks with bolded words like MySQL, COBOL, AWS, and Microsoft Azure. When I asked him about these words, he would patiently explain their meanings and applications, sparking my curiosity and fascination with coding. At the age of 6, my dad let me flip through his library of programming manuals, and over time, I became more and more interested in the limitless potential of his work. At 9, my dad introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, and I was able to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. This experience inspired me to self-study tirelessly from more online boot camps, gaining certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Growing up, I often found myself bored in class as there were few coding-related learning opportunities. However, my older brothers were studying STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, and I looked to them for mentorship and advice. Following their lead, I excelled in my studies so I could become a computer science major. Since then, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding. I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists, helping to nurture their initial interest into passion. My dad's dedication to his work and his willingness to share his knowledge has been the foundation of my success in coding, and I hope to one day inspire others in the same way. My dad's tireless work ethic and passion for coding has shown me that anything is possible if you are willing to put in the time and effort. He has inspired me to constantly seek out new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. As I continue to develop my skills in coding and project management, I look to my dad as an example of what is possible with hard work, dedication, and a passion for your craft. As my dad has progressed in his career, he has continued to develop new skills and adapt to emerging technologies, which is something I find truly inspiring. He never settles for complacency and always pushes himself to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. He frequently attends conferences and workshops, reads technical literature, and participates in online forums to stay on top of the latest trends and developments. His passion for growth and learning has had a significant impact on my own approach to personal and professional development. Watching him continue to strive for excellence has taught me the importance of having a growth mindset and constantly seeking out opportunities for learning and development.

As a high school freshman, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand, and it was a challenging time for me and my family. Witnessing the toll that the pandemic was taking on people's mental health made me realize the importance of mental healthcare and the need to destigmatize mental health issues. This experience inspired me to get involved in the mental health field, where I currently work with Daydream, a mental health startup aimed at bridging the gap in accessibility and acceptability of mental healthcare for marginalized communities. My passion for computer science has also driven me to become a mentor for other budding computer scientists and participate in various pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding. I believe that incorporating diverse perspectives and collaboration can make a significant impact on suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. Net Impact Berkeley's key value of creating "Impact Across Many Domains" resonates with me, as my work with Daydream is an example of creating impact across multiple domains, including mental health, technology, and social justice. Our virtual platform for therapy and support groups is catered towards underserved communities, and we prioritize user safety with our secure filter system, ensuring that our users have a safe space to discuss mental health issues. By leveraging technology and social justice, we are working towards creating a positive impact on mental health for marginalized communities. In addition to my work with Daydream, I have also used my skills and knowledge in computer science to create innovative solutions to social issues. Creating an impact means using my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the world, whether it's on a small or large scale. As an AI4ALL scholar, my experience last summer at Carnegie Mellon University showed me the potential for technology to make a significant impact in equity-focused projects. Our project to create a model that could detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals was a small-scale project, but it had a meaningful impact on local deaf communities. It also taught me the value of diverse perspectives and collaboration in eliminating bias, which is a crucial aspect of creating meaningful impact. My passion for coding, sparked by my dad's work as a senior database administrator, has driven me to pursue a career in computer science, where I hope to use my skills to create innovative solutions to social issues. To me, creating an impact means making a positive difference in the world, no matter how small or large. It is about using our skills and passions to address social issues and improve the lives of those around us. Collaboration, diversity, and using technology for social good are all essential components of creating a lasting impact that can benefit society as a whole.

As a high school freshman, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand. It was a difficult time for me and my family. We were worried about our health and safety, as well as the economic impact the pandemic was having on our community. During this time, I also witnessed the toll that the pandemic was taking on people's mental health. I saw how the isolation, uncertainty, and fear were affecting my friends and family. It was then that I realized the importance of mental healthcare and how critical it is to destigmatize mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic inspired me to get involved in the mental health field. I wanted to help make a difference in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. That's when I became involved with Daydream, a mental health startup created by my team and I, students who were passionate about creative problem-solving. Through Daydream, we aim to bridge the gap in accessibility and acceptability of mental healthcare for marginalized communities. We provide a virtual platform for therapy and support groups that are catered towards underserved communities. We also prioritize user safety with our secure filter system, ensuring that our users have a safe space to discuss mental health issues. My experience with the pandemic has solidified my passion for the mental health field, and I am eager to utilize my skills in machine learning and computer science to develop innovative solutions to the challenges we face in this area. As a machine learning enthusiast, I believe that the implementation of data-driven approaches can significantly enhance the effectiveness of mental health treatments and interventions. With the right resources and support, I am dedicated to contributing to the development of intelligent tools and models that can help in suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices. As an AI4ALL scholar, my experience last summer at Carnegie Mellon University was a turning point in my career aspirations. During those three weeks, I had the opportunity to learn from industry experts in AI and ethics, and work on equity-focused projects in small groups with other exceptional students from all over the United States. One of the projects my group worked on was creating a model that could detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. As we built the data for our model, fueled by a constant stream of steaming matcha lattes, we realized the progress collaboration can bring - diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. While the project helped local deaf communities, it also taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in the mental health field, where I hope to apply my skills and knowledge in machine learning and computer science to create innovative solutions to social issues. I believe that by incorporating diverse perspectives and collaboration, we can make a significant impact on suicide prevention and promote better mental health practices.

Daydream is a testament to the ambition and drive of young people to destigmatize mental healthcare. As high school seniors at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), a top-tier STEM boarding school, we are committed to addressing the issues we observe in our communities. When we first envisioned Daydream, our goal was to help students in our community develop healthier coping mechanisms. With Daydream, we can change how our student communities and others like it approach mental health using awareness and student innovation. From its initial presentation as an idea in 2021, Daydream has grown into an all-inclusive social media platform where students can come together using anonymous chat communities, mentorship connections, and user-oriented gaming spaces to have a unique mental health-oriented safe space. Unlike other apps, Daydream implements a secure filter system that prioritizes user safety in its content filtering. Our team is working with various schools in the Chicago suburbs to further expand the app from its current beta stage. The app guarantees sustainability and results to its users by generating an estimated $5,800 per month through its connections to the slug toy program, mental health organization partnerships, and relevant ads alone. Daydream is designed to engage a wide range of audiences. We have noticed that our peers often handle their stress in negative ways, such as isolating themselves, staying up late, stress eating or not eating, and procrastinating. These habits are so normalized that new students at IMSA tend to develop them as well. By using Daydream, we can change how our communities and others like it deal with mental health using awareness and student innovation. If we had the necessary resources, we would expand Daydream to reach a wider audience by creating a mobile application that would allow users to access our virtual services on-the-go. Additionally, we would create partnerships with community organizations and schools to bring mental health education and resources directly to those who need it most. We would also invest in research and development to improve the efficacy of our services and ensure that we are providing the highest quality care to our users. Our experience as CEOs of Daydream has taught us valuable lessons about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the importance of interdisciplinary thinking. Through programs like the Swartz Center of Entrepreneurship and Project Olympus at Carnegie Mellon University, we hope to continue developing our skills and knowledge to create innovative solutions to social issues. We are excited about the opportunity to use our passion for computer science and social entrepreneurship to make a positive impact on the world.

When I was a junior in high school, I picked up a camera for the first time. I never expected to fall into the creative arts during my high school career since I attended a highly selective and STEM-focused public boarding school. With the pestering of my roommates, I attended a photography training session to accompany them. During the field photography trainee event, I immediately fell in love with all of the nuances that can affect the shot - the beauty of the targeted environment itself, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and various aspects like focus box location and zoom. At first, my photos were nothing special. They were mostly blurry and poorly composed. But I was determined to improve. I started making time in my schedule, full of STEM extracurriculars and grueling hours of studying for the next physics or calculus test, just to gain more hours in the studio. As I gained more experience, I also gained more passion. Two months after the initial training session, I scheduled my first independent studio photoshoot. The feeling of shooting my creative vision, spending hours bonding with the model, and practicing the techniques I had picked up from my mentors, fellow students, and influencers on Youtube tutorials, was indescribable. When I took my portfolio shots, I had the opportunity to take pictures of students who had dressed up in cultural clothes before the nighttime culture show to celebrate the diversity of the African diaspora. The students were not alone in dressing up, I also borrowed an African sash from my roommate that I could proudly sport while taking my shots. My shots involved two significant students, seniors who served as board members of my school’s Black Student Union. When they walked in, I wanted to ensure that I could preserve the beauty and pride they had for their culture in my shots which was overwhelmingly evident in their glowing confidence. Once I showed them how their pictures turned out, I felt proud that I could direct the shot in a way that highlighted their love of their heritage. Celebrating my peers’ culture alongside amazing food, music, and dance has been an essential part of not just my high school experience, but my photography experience as well. Photography has served as the medium for me to capture the joy and respect one should have for another’s culture and spread that feeling to others.

Influence means exemplifying values to peers around you to serve as a fair and efficient leader. As an influential leader, I follow three primary values: ambition, self-reflection, and collaboration. Throughout my life, these values have propelled me through my education, experiences, and passion projects to make me who I am. Ambition has led me to push the bounds of my knowledge and learn new things within STEM fields, especially mathematics and machine learning. As an Asian woman in computer science, reflecting on my opportunities has allowed me to teach other underrepresented students what I have learned. I influence others around me by building equitable partnerships and technologies through collaboration with diverse peers. Through my participation with organizations like Girls Who Code and Kode With Klossy, I have learned so much about computer science’s power to build an equitable society. By serving as a scholar and mentor, these courses inspired me to continue in computer science by providing access to a community of reliable peers undergoing similar struggles. I have overcome adversity as a woman in STEM by tackling consistent imposter syndrome and doubt by others. Sometimes, it was intimidating to be the only minority and woman student in advanced courses, since I felt as if I had no peers to reach out to who I shared common identities with. Yet, by gaining confidence in my abilities and asking for help, I was able to learn so much more since I learned from mentors one-on-one and gained even more insight into coding. After college, I would continue to build diverse connections and computer science knowledge as an artificial intelligence (AI) architect, building models that lessen bias and increase equity. I chose this field after participating in diverse student research. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. After three weeks of lectures on AI/CS, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories, I presented a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to bridge the communication divide between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Not only did I collaborate with my peers and teachers to help local communities, but I actively worked to aid equity through my projects using computer science. As an AI architect, I would like to use my technical knowledge and diverse connections to build a better future by dismantling bias in computer science. Receiving the Jack “Fluxare” Hytner Memorial Scholarship means that I would receive essential resources to dismantle tech bias towards minorities using STEM knowledge. To impact the world positively, I will need to meet diverse peers in college. This scholarship would help provide the financial assistance necessary to do so and continue my research. With the educational opportunities this scholarship would allow me to pursue, I would use my privilege to mentor other minority students in STEM.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words I would read from my dad’s textbooks growing up. As a senior database administrator, my dad answered my endless questions on these words, beginning my passion for coding. At 6, he let me flip through the manuals he checked out from the library. Over time, I realized the limitless potential behind my dad’s work and thirsted to learn more. At 9, he introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online coding instruction website that helped me to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. From there, I self-studied tirelessly from more online boot camps, gaining certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Boredom in my classes was common as I grew up, especially when there were few coding-related learning opportunities in my schools. However, my older brothers had matriculated into STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, so I relied on them for mentorship and advice. Following their leads, I excelled in my studies so I could become a computer science major. Since, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding. From those initial glances at those textbooks, I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists to nurture that initial interest into a passion. After college, I would continue to build equitable partnerships and technologies through collaboration as an artificial intelligence (AI) architect, building models that lessened bias and increased equity. As an AI4ALL scholar this past summer, I spent three weeks learning from lectures on AI, ethics, and industry-level machine learning theories at Carnegie Mellon University to create equity-focused projects in small groups. Inspired by the nonverbal speakers and teachers we met, my group created a model that detected American Sign Language (ASL) letters to improve communication between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Over the hours of work put into creating our neural network model and amassing our data using our group members as models, we realized the progress collaboration brings. Diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. Once completed, our work not only helped local deaf communities but taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. I learned the value of collaboration with my peers and teachers to help local communities and aid equity through my computer science projects, which I would continue as an AI network architect. By using my values of ambition, self-reflection, and collaboration, I could use my technical knowledge to guide other young minority students into STEM with the Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship. Ambition has led me to push the bounds of my knowledge and learn new things within STEM fields, especially mathematics and machine learning. By collaborating with diverse peers across the world in programs focusing on youth innovation such as AI4ALL, I am showing these students how to work toward their goals.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words I would read from my dad’s textbooks growing up. As a senior database administrator, my dad answered my endless questions on these words, beginning my passion for coding. At 6, he freely let me flip through the manuals that he checked out from our weekly library visits (I was a relentless bookworm). Over time, I began to realize the limitless potential behind my dad’s work and became thirsty to learn more. At 9, he introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online coding instruction website that allowed me to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. From there, I self-studied tirelessly, depending on more online boot camps to gain certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Isolation from my peers was common as I grew up, especially when there were few coding-related learning opportunities in my schools and a lack of understanding of coding due to the lack of curriculum. I even suffered from imposter syndrome as I poured over hours of Youtube videos, unable to comprehend the advanced projects shown to me. However, my older brothers had matriculated into STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, so I relied on them for mentorship and advice. Following their leads, I excelled in my studies so that I could trail them as a computer science major. Since then, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding and apply myself to specialized fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence. From those initial glances at those textbooks, I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists to nurture that initial interest into passions, continuing the cycle that my dad and brothers started. Through my work with Girls Who Code (GWC) and Kode With Klossy (KWK), I have learned so much about computer science and its potential to help to build an equitable society from other women. From my first GWC summer camp in 8th grade, I have built essential programming skills as well as improved teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills. The opportunity to interact with industry-leading women has provided me with in-depth knowledge to navigate the CS industry as a young woman of color. My mentorship from Manuela Veloso, head of AI research at JPMorgan Chase, has shaped my goal as a service-motivated leader in equity. From there, I have thrown myself into working with diverse peers to gain perspective on global issues to solve with coding, learning from middle schoolers and college students to international students in Africa and Asia. As a KWK instructor, I have shared these lessons with others. Overall, these courses inspired me to continue in computer science by providing access to a community of reliable peers undergoing similar struggles.

Through my work with Girls Who Code (GWC) and Kode With Klossy (KWK), I have learned so much about computer science and its potential to help to build an equitable society from other women. From my first GWC summer camp in 8th grade, I have built essential programming skills as well as improved teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills. The opportunity to interact with industry-leading women has provided me with in-depth knowledge to navigate the CS industry as a young woman of color. My mentorship from Manuela Veloso, head of AI research at JPMorgan Chase, has shaped my goal as a service-motivated leader in equity. From there, I have thrown myself into working with diverse peers to gain perspective on global issues to solve with coding, learning from middle schoolers and college students to international students in Africa and Asia. As a KWK instructor, I have shared these lessons with others. Overall, these courses inspired me to continue in computer science by providing access to a community of reliable peers undergoing similar struggles. Since then, I have strived to gain intimate knowledge and diverse perspectives on STEM technology to help other marginalized communities. This past summer, I participated in the AI4ALL program at Carnegie Mellon University to continue this work. After three weeks of lectures on AI/CS, ethics, as well as industry-level machine learning theories, I presented a model that would detect American Sign Language (ASL) letters to bridge the communication divide between deaf/ASL-signing and verbal individuals. Over a constant stream of steaming matcha lattes at the cafe near our classroom, my group built the data for our model up from the ground. In one 4-hour work session, my group signed all 26 letters of the alphabet in ASL to snap pictures of them and funnel them into our model. Amassing all of the data into the model had been slow and monotonous, but we realized the progress collaboration can bring - diversity in our group directly helped our model since we could provide pictures of dark models and conventional pale ones. Once completed, our work not only helped local deaf communities but taught us the value of diverse perspectives in eliminating bias. Not only did I collaborate with my peers and teachers to help local communities, but I also saw how I can actively work to aid equity through my personal projects. I would like to continue this research so that I can continue to help underserved populations and diversify my view on ethics.

MySQL. COBOL. AWS. Microsoft Azure. These were some of the bolded words I would read from my dad’s textbooks growing up. As a senior database administrator, my dad answered my endless questions on these words, beginning my passion for coding. At 6, he freely let me flip through the manuals that he checked out from our weekly library visits (I was a relentless bookworm). Over time, I began to realize the limitless potential behind my dad’s work and became thirsty to learn more. At 9, he introduced me to FreeCodeCamp, an online coding instruction website that allowed me to build my first piece of software - a cat-themed website. From there, I self-studied tirelessly, depending on more online boot camps to gain certifications in Python, Java, HTML, and Javascript. Isolation from my peers was common as I grew up, especially when there were few coding-related learning opportunities in my schools and a lack of understanding of coding due to the lack of curriculum. I even suffered from imposter syndrome as I poured over hours of Youtube videos, unable to comprehend the advanced projects shown to me. However, my older brothers had matriculated into STEM-related majors like information technology and civil engineering, so I relied on them for mentorship and advice. Following their leads, I excelled in my studies so that I could trail them as a computer science major. Since then, I have found no shortage of pre-collegiate, online, and youth programs to feed my passion for coding and apply myself to specialized fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence. From those initial glances at those textbooks, I have grown into a mentor for other budding computer scientists to nurture that initial interest into passions, continuing the cycle that my dad and brothers started. Success throughout my college experience can be defined in two ways: First, the engagement of diverse perspectives through leadership and global engagement. As a leader in my school’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, I always used the opportunity to produce more engaging and relatable content regarding minority representation in STEM. I also advocated for fun and educational events to get fellow students immersed in topics like medicine, coding, and engineering. Through these initiatives, I hope to encourage women and BIPOC participation in STEM to increase ethical programming within big data. My current research would fit right in with the goals of the Robotics Club and Students Using Data For Social Good Club where I can continue work on my equity-focused algorithms. At Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), I would continue these development opportunities to ensure an ethical and diverse future filled with young trailblazers like me. Second, the alignment of my passions through interdisciplinary education. Businesses now require well-connected technologies like websites, databases, and social media to blossom in an Internet-connected world which I could support in my work in computer science. At CMU, I could connect my passion for computer science to social entrepreneurship under the Innovation Scholars program at the Swartz Center of Entrepreneurship. Daydream, my mental health startup, focuses on tackling the stigmatization of mental healthcare. Under the guidance of the Project Olympus program, I would be able to quickly accelerate my startup from the incubator stage with hands-on mentorship and networking. My experience as a CEO could also be useful lessons I could share with other budding entrepreneurs in the Tepper Commons. At CMU, I will become a better computer scientist and social entrepreneur to advocate for ethical programming, BIPOC representation within the field, as well as continuing the development of innovative and interdisciplinary solutions to oppressive issues.