It started with a casual conversation in our game chat about my friends’ summer, racing their solar car. They had spent the school year and part of the summer building it and were excited about the competition. I had heard of their project but didn’t realize they raced it. As the conversation continued, they invited me to join the team the following year, especially wanting more girls to contribute. I agreed, despite having no idea what to expect. Initially, I contributed to public relations, handling fundraisers, sponsorships, and social media, not seeing myself as a 'technical' person, despite my passion for technology. That summer during the competition, everything changed. In the sweltering July Texas heat, I became more hands-on, helping finalize the car, test driving, and celebrating its approval during scrutineering. It was here that I was introduced to motorsports like Formula Racing, NASCAR, and IndyCar, which sparked my deep interest in the field. I soon officially joined the electrical team, where I took responsibility for overseeing the solar array that converts solar energy into electricity. While I didn’t program the car directly, I applied problem-solving and technical skills to ensure everything functioned properly. This role sharpened my critical thinking and algorithmic skills, linking practical engineering with the logical thinking I would later develop in computer science. My journey in the Solar Car Challenge wasn’t without its challenges. As the only girl on the team initially, I had to prove myself. Though more girls eventually joined, I had to fight for a place on the technical side. This experience instilled in me a strong sense of perseverance, especially when others underestimated my abilities. In my senior year, I focused on getting more girls involved in STEM. I knew there were many like me—passionate about STEM but unsure of how to pursue it. That year, I enrolled in AP Computer Science A, the most challenging class I’d ever taken. Despite struggling, I enjoyed the challenge and found it to be one of the most rewarding classes. At first, I was torn between my newfound passion for motorsports and computer science. But as I connected the dots between the two fields, I decided to pursue a career in motorsports through computer science. Currently, I’m majoring in computer science at Georgia State University intending to become a data scientist in motorsports. I’m especially interested in the intersection of motorsports and sustainability, and I’m eager to contribute to making professional racing more environmentally efficient. The Solar Car Challenge instilled in me a deep understanding of the importance of clean energy, and it strengthened my belief in the need for more women in these fields. Getting to this point hasn’t been easy. As someone who’s financially independent, balancing two jobs with my coursework has taught me valuable lessons in perseverance, time management, and the drive to succeed. This scholarship would provide much-needed financial relief, allowing me to fully dedicate myself to my studies and pursue projects that align with my career goals. With this support, I’ll be better equipped to turn my passions into reality.

For as long as I can remember, math and technology fascinated me, yet there was a disconnect I couldn't overcome. That changed when I joined a club that introduced me to the world of computer science. This experience encouraged my passion for technology and set me on the path of discovering my potential in this field. Encouraged to challenge myself, I enrolled in AP Computer Science A. Though it was the hardest class I've ever taken, the complexities of algorithms, problem-solving, and programming concepts pushed me in ways that left me craving more knowledge. While pursuing computer science was the first step, joining my school's solar car team solidified my career interest. In this club, a team of students build a solar-powered car and race it cross-country against other teams nationwide. However, as the only girl on the team, I encountered misogyny that often left me feeling discouraged. My teammates sidelined my contributions and refused to allow me to work on the car, forcing me to work twice as hard to prove myself. These struggles only encouraged my commitment to advocate for greater representation of females in STEM fields. I discovered how data science has a crucial role in motorsports, analyzing race statistics to develop strategies. This experience not only introduced me to the possibilities of applying my desire for computer science to promote sustainability but also showed me the impactful role technology can have in creating renewable energy. Through this, I aim to contribute to the upcoming future of motorsports. Although, my journey hasn't been without struggles. I grew up in a challenging environment that lacked academic support. I came from a very broken home, my mother, influenced by delusions from her boyfriend, refused to acknowledge the abuse I was enduring from him. Instead of providing support, she chose to dismiss my experiences with him, leaving me unheard and isolated. I didn’t consider the possibility of pursuing higher education, it wasn’t until I joined these clubs that I discovered my potential and passion for technology. After graduation, I made the pivotal decision to move to Atlanta, GA, recognizing the limited opportunities in my hometown would stifle my academic ambitions. These challenges prepared me for this field, where perseverance is vital. I carry with me an ability to challenge norms and embrace diverse perspectives. I am having to navigate financing my studies on my own, seeing as I don't receive financial assistance from either parent. I know I am the best candidate for this scholarship because my journey resonates with the ambition for education against all odds. Receiving this scholarship would significantly alleviate my financial burden, allowing me to focus on education and career aspirations in the computer science field. Like Chris Jackson, I understand the value of determination in education and am committed to using my education to make a meaningful impact. I want to ensure that my journey resonates with and inspires those who may feel disconnected from their dreams, just as I once did.

I have always been drawn to the idea of a sustainable future through technology. I participated in a competition for high school students to work as a team to build solar-powered cars and race these cars after inspection; this competition aimed to inspire students to become involved in the contribution of renewable energy for a sustainable future while teaching skills they will be able to apply in future STEM careers. This competition successfully taught me the importance of renewable energy and its accessibility. This experience not only introduced me to the possibilities of applying my desire for computer science to promote sustainability but also showed me the impactful role technology can have in creating renewable energy. I've always been interested in technology, but it wasn't until I joined this club that I discovered the options available. Through this project, I realized that innovation in renewable energy and engineering could contribute to a sustainable future. This project inspired my desire to use my passion for technology to positively impact my community. However, despite these opportunities and possibilities, I struggled being the only girl on the team, I often felt out of place and the need to prove my abilities. These struggles taught me resilience and the importance of representation in STEM fields. They also inspired me to advocate for a more inclusive enrichment where diverse individuals feel encouraged to pursue careers in technological fields. My experience in this competition expanded my knowledge of renewable energy and engineering while developing a range of skills. I gained experience in problem-solving, teamwork, project management, and the ability to critically think and quickly adapt to high-stress situations. These skills combined with my desire for data science, have prepared me to overcome complex problems to contribute to innovative solutions in the motorsports industry. I know these skills will be valuable as I continue to pursue this career. Long term, I aim to contribute to the innovation of sustainability and data science in the motorsports field. By combining these passions, I want to be able to contribute towards the development of more efficient and clean technologies that can be applied to everyday transportation along with motorsports. I am planning on interning with the same solar car challenge I competed in. I hope to contribute to the inspiration of teenagers to explore engineering and sustainability. My goal is to help inspire youth and women to feel comfortable in pursuing their interests, not just to contribute to the innovation but to also make a meaningful impact.