I am Nana Gyebi, a student from Kumasi, Ghana, pursuing a degree in computer science and entrepreneurship in the United States. Growing up, I witnessed both the power of community and the challenges faced by young people who lacked access to resources and guidance. These experiences shaped my drive to use education as a tool for empowerment, both for myself and for those around me. Coming to the United States as an international student has offered incredible opportunities, but it has also brought challenges that have tested my resilience, independence, and determination. As a first-generation college student, I have had to navigate unfamiliar systems, balance rigorous coursework with part-time work, and adjust to a new cultural environment far from home. These obstacles have taught me adaptability, problem-solving, and perseverance. I have learned to approach challenges not as setbacks but as opportunities to grow and refine my skills. For example, managing my studies while building initiatives like Silent Voices (a project that educates youth about signs of abusive relationships) taught me to prioritize meaningful impact even when resources are limited. This experience reinforced my belief that knowledge and action can empower communities and create lasting change. My vision is to make a positive impact on the world by combining technology, entrepreneurship, and social advocacy. Through my studies in computer science and entrepreneurship, I aim to develop platforms and programs that address critical challenges faced by communities both in the United States and globally. Whether it is creating educational tools, mentorship networks, or resources for underrepresented groups, I intend to use my skills to empower individuals and communities to reach their potential. I am particularly passionate about initiatives that uplift marginalized voices, expand access to opportunities, and foster inclusive environments where young people can thrive. Being an international student has also given me a unique perspective on collaboration and cultural exchange. I understand firsthand the value of sharing ideas across borders and learning from diverse experiences. This perspective motivates me to work toward solutions that are not only innovative but also inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of technology, education, and entrepreneurship reach those who are often overlooked. Ultimately, my journey as an international, first-generation student has instilled in me the importance of ambition, perseverance, and service. The obstacles I have faced have strengthened my resolve to create meaningful change. By leveraging my education in the United States, I hope to contribute to a world where knowledge, opportunity, and resources are accessible to all, and where communities are empowered to solve challenges collaboratively, inclusively, and sustainably.

Courage is not measured by the battles we win alone, but by the lives we lift while facing them. Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s sacrifice reminds us that service is not a choice... it is a responsibility. His bravery echoes in every act of giving, every voice raised for the vulnerable, and every risk taken to make a difference. This is the legacy I aspire to carry forward. Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s legacy of service, sacrifice, and bravery resonates deeply with my journey as an African immigrant navigating life in the United States. Growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, I learned that community is not just a group of people, but a network of care, support, and shared responsibility. Those lessons traveled with me across continents and shaped how I approach challenges here. They guide my efforts to create positive change locally and within the African diaspora. Sgt. Ware’s example inspires me to look beyond personal achievement and focus on lifting others, especially communities that are too often overlooked or marginalized. My dedication to service is reflected in the work I have done through my initiative, Silent Voices, which educates youth about signs of abusive relationships that often go unnoticed. By sharing stories and providing guidance, I empower young people to make informed and safe choices. This work embodies the courage and selflessness exemplified by Sgt. Ware, because it requires speaking truth to uncomfortable realities to protect and uplift others. His bravery motivates me to confront the challenges facing the African diaspora in the United States, including limited access to resources, underrepresentation in leadership, and barriers to education and entrepreneurship. I believe these challenges are not insurmountable but require intentional community action and advocacy. In my vision for meaningful change, community reforms must focus on education, mentorship, and economic empowerment. Expanding access to STEM education and entrepreneurship programs within African diaspora communities can equip young people with the skills and confidence to lead. Establishing mentorship networks that connect youth with professionals who share their background and experiences fosters guidance, opportunity, and inspiration. Policy reforms must prioritize equitable access to education funding, support for minority-owned businesses, and programs that address systemic social inequities. Key stakeholders in this effort include local and state governments, educational institutions, community organizations, and leaders within African diaspora networks. Collaboration among these groups ensures initiatives are sustainable, culturally relevant, and impactful. Individuals who have the resources, expertise, and influence to mentor, advocate, or fund initiatives are equally crucial. I aspire to be one of these individuals, leveraging my skills in technology and entrepreneurship to develop programs and platforms that address these challenges directly and create tangible opportunities for others. Ultimately, Sgt. Ware’s values guide me to use my skills, resources, and opportunities to serve others. They inspire a vision where the African diaspora in the United States is empowered through education, mentorship, and community development. By taking bold action, advocating for equitable policies, and building networks of support, I hope to honor his legacy and help shape a future where every member of the African diaspora can thrive, lead, and make a lasting difference.

Financial peace is important to me because it allows me to focus on building the life I envision rather than constantly managing financial stress. Growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, I witnessed how financial limitations can shape decisions, restrict opportunities, and create stress that touches every part of life. As an international student pursuing computer science and entrepreneurship, I have faced these challenges firsthand. Achieving financial stability would give me the freedom to fully dedicate myself to my education, explore my passion for technology, and develop projects that have the potential to make a meaningful impact. It would allow me to plan for the future with confidence and pursue opportunities guided by purpose rather than immediate financial need. If I had no financial stressors, the choices I would make today would reflect long-term growth and meaningful contribution. Academically, I would invest more time in building my technical skills, exploring advanced projects, and learning new tools that challenge me. For example, I could dedicate more energy to developing web applications or AI modules that solve real-world problems, instead of splitting my focus between school and work to meet daily expenses. I would also take calculated risks in entrepreneurship, experimenting with innovative ideas that have the potential to create both economic and social impact. Financial peace would remove the barrier that forces me to prioritize immediate income over long-term learning and growth. Beyond personal development, financial stability would allow me to expand the impact of initiatives I care deeply about. Through my Silent Voices movement, I have educated youth on signs of abusive relationships that often go unnoticed, empowering them to make safer choices. With the freedom and resources that financial peace provides, I could reach more students, organize workshops, and share more stories, creating a sustainable program that positively affects communities. It would also give me the flexibility to support other causes I value, whether through mentorship, volunteering, or developing technology solutions for social good. Ultimately, financial peace represents clarity, freedom, and the ability to make intentional choices. It would allow me to focus on growth, innovation, and meaningful impact without being limited by financial pressure. With financial stability, I could invest more deeply in my education, pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, and dedicate myself to initiatives like Silent Voices. It would give me the chance to shape a future defined not by limitations, but by possibility, purpose, and the ability to make a lasting difference.

I come from a background shaped by adaptability, resilience, and a strong desire to use education as a tool for impact. I am originally from Kumasi, Ghana, and pursuing my studies in the United States has required me to navigate new academic systems, cultures, and expectations. Adjusting to these transitions has strengthened my problem solving skills and pushed me to become resourceful and self directed. These experiences have also influenced my interest in technology, particularly as a means to create access, improve systems, and empower communities that are often underrepresented in the tech space. What draws me most to the technology field is its ability to translate ideas into scalable, real world solutions. I am especially interested in computer science areas such as programming, software development, backend systems, and data driven problem solving. I enjoy the logical structure of computing and the challenge of breaking complex problems into manageable steps through code. Beyond the technical aspect, I am fascinated by how technology intersects with fields like healthcare, education, and social impact, and how well designed systems can improve efficiency, equity, and access. I have actively pursued involvement in information technology through coursework, projects, and extracurricular programs. As a computer science student at the University of Maine, I have taken foundational programming and computing courses that emphasize algorithmic thinking, debugging, and writing clean, functional code. Through class projects, I have worked on coding assignments that strengthened my understanding of core programming concepts and reinforced best practices in software development. Outside of the classroom, I have been involved with CodePath, where I participated in structured, industry aligned technical training focused on practical coding skills and professional development. Through CodePath, I strengthened my understanding of programming concepts, collaborated with peers on technical challenges, and gained exposure to real world expectations within the tech industry. The program helped bridge the gap between academic learning and applied software development. I am also an active member of ColorStack, a national community that supports Black and Latinx students in computer science. Through ColorStack, I have engaged in workshops, networking opportunities, and mentorship focused on career readiness, technical growth, and navigating the tech industry as a student of color. Being part of this community has reinforced my sense of belonging in tech and strengthened my commitment to increasing representation and inclusion in the field. Together, my academic background, hands on projects, and involvement with CodePath and ColorStack have shaped my growing interest in building technology that is both technically sound and socially conscious. These experiences continue to guide my goal of becoming a computer scientist who not only codes effectively, but also contributes to a more inclusive and impactful technology ecosystem.

My computer science goals are rooted in using technology as a tool for impact rather than an end in itself. I am pursuing computer science because I want to become a strong problem solver who can design, build, and maintain systems that address real world challenges. My immediate goal is to develop solid foundations in programming, data structures, algorithms, and software development while gaining hands on experience through projects and internships. I am particularly interested in backend development, data driven systems, and applied computing that supports research, decision making, and access to resources. Computer science gives me the ability to think logically, scale solutions, and translate ideas into tools that can reach far beyond a single individual. Outside of computer science, my primary non technical goals are centered on global health, education, and community impact, especially within underserved and historically marginalized communities. Coming from Ghana and navigating education across different systems has shaped my desire to improve access to information, healthcare, and opportunity. I am deeply interested in public health research, social impact initiatives, and leadership roles that focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. I want to contribute to work that addresses inequities rather than simply observing them. In the long term, I envision myself involved in initiatives that strengthen systems in low resource settings, whether through research, nonprofit work, or policy informed by data. What excites me most is the intersection of these two paths. I do not see computer science and global impact as separate ambitions. Instead, I see computer science as the bridge that makes my non computer science goals achievable at scale. Through my studies, I have already seen how coding can support data analysis, improve efficiency, and uncover insights that would otherwise remain hidden. In the future, I plan to combine these goals by building and supporting technological tools that improve data collection, analysis, and accessibility in health and education systems. This could include developing software for tracking public health outcomes, creating platforms that support research in underserved communities, or building systems that make critical information more accessible to people who are often excluded from technological innovation. As someone who identifies as BIPOC and has navigated significant academic, personal, and financial challenges, I also bring a perspective that is often missing in technology spaces. I understand firsthand how systems fail people when they are not designed inclusively. My lived experiences motivate me to advocate for technology that is ethical, human centered, and responsive to diverse realities. This scholarship aligns deeply with my goals because it supports students who refuse to be one dimensional. With the support of the Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship, I would be able to continue developing my technical skills while pursuing broader ambitions rooted in service, equity, and meaningful impact. I aim to be a computer scientist who codes with purpose and who uses technology not just to build products, but to enrich lives.

This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me because it represents hope, restoration, and confirmation that my journey has not been in vain. It is more than financial assistance. It is an investment in a story shaped by perseverance, faith, and an unwavering belief that God can bring purpose out of pain. There were moments when my educational path, my future in this country, and even my sense of self felt uncertain. Yet through it all, I held on to faith as both an anchor and a compass. Receiving this opportunity would allow me to focus fully on my calling and academic growth without the constant fear of losing ground due to circumstances beyond my control. My journey has been marked by challenges that tested me in ways I never anticipated. I faced academic setbacks that resulted in probation during a period when I was struggling alone with health issues, emotional exhaustion, and external pressures. In another chapter of my life, I was suspended from a previous institution for an accusation that was later disproven by law enforcement. That experience shook me deeply. I felt powerless, misunderstood, and afraid that years of hard work would be erased by something I did not do. During that season, faith became my refuge. When answers were scarce and doors seemed to close, prayer became my language of survival. I learned to trust God even when outcomes were unclear, believing that truth, though delayed, would prevail. Despite these hardships, faith helped transform my struggles into stepping stones. I was able to rebuild academically, reconnect with mentors, and pursue opportunities aligned with my purpose. I continued showing up even when I felt discouraged, trusting that consistency and faith would bear fruit. Over time, I earned leadership and academic opportunities, presented my work in professional settings, and rediscovered confidence in my abilities. Each triumph reaffirmed that perseverance guided by faith can lead to renewal. I now understand that setbacks do not define failure, but rather refine character and direction. Looking toward the future, I plan to continue using my faith as a guiding force in reaching greater heights. Faith grounds me in humility, resilience, and service, reminding me that success is not solely personal, but communal. I aspire to use my education to create meaningful impact, particularly in underserved communities, and to serve as a testament that adversity does not disqualify purpose. When challenges arise, as they inevitably will, my faith will continue to guide my decisions, strengthen my resolve, and shape my leadership. With God at the center of my journey, I am confident that every opportunity, including this one, will be used not only to elevate my own life, but to uplift others as well.

Back home in Kumasi, Ghana, I saw what it means to dream with limits. My cousins and I would sit around, curious about the world, but with no laptop, no access, and no exposure. I remember drawing diagrams on a chalkboard just to explain what a computer could do. That was the moment I promised myself that if I ever had the chance to learn, I would not keep it to myself. I would use it to create pathways for others. Now I am studying computer science, focusing on building solutions and exploring entrepreneurship. My education is not just for me. It is a tool I want to take back home. I know the value of what I am receiving, and I see how it can transform communities in Ghana where opportunities are scarce. I want to use technology to close those gaps. Whether it is developing affordable platforms that give students access to digital skills, or building projects that spark curiosity, my goal is simple. I want to give others the opportunity I once longed for. Beyond technology, I believe in people. Mentorship has been at the core of my journey. As a peer mentor with YAF Ghana, I guided students through the challenges of scholarship applications, personal essays, and college searches. I watched fellows who doubted themselves grow confident enough to apply for opportunities they never imagined they could achieve. Those experiences taught me that sometimes the most important gift you can give someone is belief. That same spirit has shaped my own story, and it is why I continue to mentor youth whenever I can. I have also worked on projects that allowed me to put my learning into practice. Through CodePath’s web development and technical interview programs, I learned how to create responsive websites, build software solutions, and strengthen problem solving skills. At UNC I worked on projects that pushed me to think differently about coding, such as designing games, developing calculators, and exploring artificial intelligence modules. Each of these experiences was not just about learning to code. They were about learning how to solve problems that matter. I want to carry that mindset into the work I do in Ghana by creating technology that is relevant, practical, and accessible. At the same time, I also care deeply about the social and health challenges my community faces. I created Silent Voices, a movement that sheds light on abusive relationships among youth and educates high school students about signs they often miss. I also carry an interest in global health, especially in areas such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and infectious diseases. I see a future where technology and health intersect in powerful ways, and I want to be part of building solutions that improve lives in Ghana and across Africa. Education gives me the skills, but my passion gives me the drive to act. This scholarship is not just support for my studies. It is an investment into a ripple effect. When I succeed, I carry others with me. My family, my mentees, and my community all benefit from my progress. My career will not end in personal achievement. It will translate into impact, systems, and opportunities that outlive me. My story started with a chalkboard lesson, but with the right education and resources, I believe it will end with classrooms full of students in Ghana and beyond who finally have the tools they need to dream without limits.