When I was around ten years old, I became fascinated with technology, especially computers. I spent countless hours on my mother’s laptop, watching YouTube and researching school topics. When I got my first phone in 7th grade, social media started to become a major part of my life. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok introduced me to new interests; however, I quickly became aware of the risks that come with modern technology. One day, my Instagram account was hacked. I lost access for a full day, and when I regained control, I saw that chaos erupted among the people I followed. This experience served as a lesson; I became more cautious about links, scams, and online security threats. A few years later, when representatives from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) visited my school to discuss cybersecurity, my future made sense. Their presentation about safety and ways to protect your personal information on the internet connected with me, strengthening my desire to help people digitally. After that moment, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in cybersecurity. My love for technology and passion for saving others led me to choose computer science as my field of study. Although I didn’t immediately recognize my interest in STEM, I now see how it has been with me throughout my life. I aim to be a cybersecurity analyst, working to prevent cybercriminals from infiltrating hardware, software, and networks. My long-term career goals include gaining real-world experience, educating others about cybersecurity, and identifying threats from certain networks before they happen. More importantly, I want to use my knowledge to make a lasting impact, no matter how long it takes. Throughout my four years in college, I plan to stay focused on my studies and develop the critical skills- communication, organization, technical expertise, and attention to detail- that are essential in this field. However, my journey toward achieving this goal comes with financial challenges. My family is unable to cover the cost of my education, so I am responsible for funding my college experience. Despite applying for multiple scholarships, I have faced several rejections, but I refuse to let setbacks discourage me. I regularly meet with my guidance counselor to seek new scholarship opportunities, determined to be able to afford college. This scholarship would help ease my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies rather than worrying about tuition. With this scholarship, I can dedicate myself fully to my education and develop the skills needed to contribute to a safer digital world.

Selflessness is how one person cares for another through acts of kindness and generosity. Selfless individuals commit themselves through their desire. During my high school experience, I joined numerous clubs, including Beta, National Honor Society, Octagon Club, and others. These clubs provided me with the chance of leadership and numerous service opportunities, allowing me to help others in our community. Through community service, I embodied selflessness through kindness, hard work, and passion. First, kindness is an essential component of selflessness because it shows that you care about others. Kindness can be given in many ways, including giving money to charity, helping out in the community, helping someone in need of assistance, and many more. My participation in the Kiddie Carnival over the last two years showed me that it doesn't hurt to be kind. Most recently, I asked to volunteer at the Kiddie Carnival during scholarship night; however, there were too many volunteers. Even though every position was filled, I still chose to contribute by walking around and checking on volunteers every twenty minutes or less to see how they were doing. Although my help may not have been needed, I still tried to help people without them asking through my kindness. In addition to kindness, hard work plays a vital role in selflessness. To be selfless, you have to put in the work to do as much as you can to help others around you. For example, the Easter Eggstravaganza with Friendship Church, which occurs every year around Easter, provides many different games and entertainment for kids in the community. This year, I helped with a game where kids had to find a duck below a lot of plastic balls. I hid the ducks among the ball pit and scattered them. When the event was over, I offered to help clean up the park and put the games back in the truck. I even followed the team back to the church to assist with unloading and organizing materials. Through this service project, I get to know many more people and have fun in the process. Finally, my passion for making our community great guides me throughout my life. Ever since I was in 10th grade, I have been on my volunteering journey. At the time, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I was in a sticky situation. But after a year of community service, a sense of purpose grew within me. I realized that helping others is not something I enjoy, but my true passion. I planned on helping people in need and giving back to people who showed me my path in life. Now, I plan on majoring in cybersecurity-information systems at the University of Alabama in Huntsville to bring a safer future in the cyber world. By protecting communities from online threats, I hope to serve others through both technical skill and social engagement. In conclusion, my kindness, hard work, and passion led me to help other people in my community. In the future, I wish to commit myself to my community to make a difference among all of us. With this scholarship, I will dedicate myself to my studies and use what I learn to improve the lives of others. Selflessness is a major factor in my leadership and leads towards progress in my own life. By caring for others, just as Michael Rudometkin, I aim to bring happiness and build relationships with others in my community. Michael’s legacy reminds me that kindness can make the world a better place and inspires me to carry his wishes with me.

Social media, created by Andrew Weinreich in the late 1990s, offers ways to create, share, and exchange ideas across the internet. It includes various platforms, such as community forums, video-sharing sites, and social networking sites, that encourage communal interaction. While social media can positively influence our wellbeing, it can also negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. Social media impacts mental health and self esteem through comments, posts, and messages. First, comments on social media significantly affect mental health and self-esteem. People often leave two types of comments: positive and negative. Social media provides a space for people to express their thoughts quickly and, at times, without considering the impact on others. Negative comments can lead to anxiety, sadness, and a drop in self-esteem. A single harsh comment can influence how someone views themselves or a topic. Positive comments, on the other hand, can uplift and encourage users. Therefore, comments are one of the main key factors that can affect one’s mental health and self-esteem. Next, posts on social media also influence mental health and self-esteem. Many users share photos or updates to showcase their lives or preserve memories. However, fear of judgment can discourage some people from posting, causing stress and lowering self-esteem. Comparing one’s life to the carefully curated posts of others may lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. On the contrary, supportive interactions on posts can foster a sense of belonging within a certain group. Thus, posts also play a significant role in one’s mental health. Finally, private messages on social media impact mental health and self-esteem. Messaging allows people to stay connected, but it can also be a source of anxiety. Hurtful or critical messages can lead to feelings of rejection or distress. Conversely, kind and encouraging messages can improve mood and self-confidence. The immediacy of messaging means these impacts are often felt instantly. As a result, messages are a significant contributor to mental wellbeing. Overall, social media influences mental health and self-esteem through comments, posts, and messages. As technology continues to evolve, so does the nature of social media interaction. While it can change our connection and self-expression, it also opens the door for negative experiences. Recognizing this great impact is essential in understanding how social media shapes our mental health through our lives. Therefore, it is clear that social media can both positively and negatively affect self-esteem and mental health through comments, posts, and messages.

My name is Kaleb Smith, and I am a high school senior passionate about finance. Life has taught me that valuable lessons often come from facing adversity. During my sophomore year, my family faced a significant financial setback when both my parents lost their jobs. The stability we had always known disappeared, and I felt the weight of the situation. As the youngest sibling, I knew I had to help my family navigate this difficult time. The uncertainty was daunting, but it sparked a determination in me to support my family as best as I could. To overcome this adversity, I took on part-time work to help with our household expenses. Balancing schoolwork with a job was not easy, but I was determined to maintain my 4.2 GPA while supporting my family. I learned to manage my time efficiently, prioritizing both my academic responsibilities and my job. This experience taught me discipline and time management, skills that will serve me well in my future studies in finance at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I also learned the importance of setting clear goals and staying committed to them. This challenge taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. Facing this adversity made me more empathetic toward others facing similar challenges and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in finance. I realized financial literacy is crucial, and I am committed to using my education to make a positive impact in my community. I want to help people manage their finances better, so they can avoid the hardships my family faced. This experience has fueled my passion to educate others about financial stability and planning for the future. My advice to someone facing similar circumstances is to stay focused on your goals and not lose sight of what you want to achieve. Adversity can be overwhelming, but it is an opportunity for growth. Do not be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or mentors. Lean on your support system and communicate your needs. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. It is easy to feel discouraged, but believing in yourself can make all the difference. Take things one step at a time, and celebrate small victories. Every challenge you overcome makes you stronger and more prepared for the future. Adversity does not define you; how you respond to it does. In conclusion, facing adversity taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of financial literacy. These lessons have shaped who I am today and fueled my passion for finance. I am eager to continue my education and use my experiences to help others. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for the Simon Strong Scholarship, which will support my journey in making a positive impact. I am committed to using the skills and knowledge I gain to give back to my community and help others find stability and success. I hope to inspire others to overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams.

My name is Kaleb Jackson Smith and I plan to make a positive impact on the world by being a good leader towards my coworkers and offering my professional knowledge in finance to help people who commonly don't know what to do with their money. Commonly, people mistakingly treat their money like it's nothing and spend it rapidly without thinking. I want to prevent this mistake by offering my guidance and experience towards money. When I was in middle school, I didn't know what I wanted to be when I became an adult. I felt like I was pressured into figuring it out, but learning what you're good at takes some time to understand. I didn't have many real friends at the time and most people used me for my smarts. I felt like everyone started to go against me and didn't feel like I belonged in the group. However, these times don't affect me today as they did back then. I am part of many different leadership roles in my school and I am one of the top students in my class to this day. Although I have faced many challenges and obstacles in my life, I stayed strong and overcame every single one of them making me grow more experienced. I wish to major in finance/economics and one day become a financial advisor. I admit I can be shy at times, but once I get used to public speaking then I will start becoming a better leader. I am currently taking finance courses so I can prepare for my future career. Starting now not only helps me prepare, but it also helps me way before life happens. These courses help me understand taxes, investing, stocks/bonds, saving, and checking. Before this year, I had no clue how to do any of these things making a huge difference in my life. Therefore, finance is really important in my life and I hope to give this knowledge to others in need. In conclusion, I am a senior in high school and I want to help people by offering my guidance and experience toward others money habits. While most people don't consider thinking about their money, others care deeply about saving up for retirement or spending on important things such as college. I wish to be helpful to everyone that will need my assistance and I hope to create a better future for others and myself.