Computer science has always been an integral part of my life. My dad is a technical consultant, so I grew up immersed in conversations about systems, code, and problem-solving. Despite that early exposure, I initially chose a different path rooted in my passion for environmental justice. I began studying sustainable development with the goal of combating climate change through policy and community work. As I looked for ways to expand my contribution, I started exploring career paths that could create deeper, more scalable change. That’s when I discovered climate modeling and disaster resilience—fields that use data to predict and respond to environmental risks. Through my research, I quickly recognized that the kind of impact I wanted to make would require a stronger technical foundation. Fortunately, my childhood background made the transition feel not only possible but aligned with my long-term ambitions. Now, I’m working toward a computer science degree with the intention of building tools that support climate migration, disaster planning, and resource distribution. I want to use data and technology to ensure that people—especially those most vulnerable—aren’t left behind as the climate crisis accelerates. Getting to this point wasn’t easy. When I was eighteen years old, I found myself in a physically, emotionally, and financially abusive relationship that left me isolated and unsure of how to move forward. Escaping that relationship and rebuilding my life required an immense amount of strength. In the process, I also confronted a growing issue with substance dependency. This year marks six years of sobriety—something I am deeply proud of. Recovery taught me resilience, accountability, and the value of community support, all of which continue to shape how I show up in school, work, and life. Earlier in my academic journey, I served as student government president of my college, where I advocated for equity-focused initiatives and led student organizing efforts around access to basic needs. That experience helped shape my belief that leadership begins with listening—and that meaningful change always starts with centering people first. Like Chris Jackson, I’ve faced persistent financial barriers throughout my educational journey. I’ve worked consistently since the age of fourteen and continue to support myself while attending school. In the past, I’ve had to pause my studies—not for lack of motivation, but because covering both tuition and basic living expenses at the same time simply wasn’t possible. Because of these challenges, I’ve come to value education as both a privilege and a tool for service. Receiving this scholarship would ease that burden and allow me to focus fully on what matters most: learning and using my education to serve others. As a first-generation and non-traditional student, I’ve learned to be resourceful, determined, and deeply grateful for every opportunity to keep moving forward. This support would bring me one step closer to a purpose-driven career—one that reflects the same compassion, persistence, and impact Chris brought to the world. Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

Survival once felt like my only purpose. During that time of my life, I couldn’t imagine ever having the opportunity to return to school, form meaningful friendships, or give back to my community. Today, I’m grateful to say that I am no longer in a place where I have to live in constant fear for my safety. While intimate partner violence is something that I would never wish on anyone, it ultimately shaped me into a more resilient person with a strong commitment to creating lasting, positive social change. As a computer science student with a background in sustainable development, I’m on a mission to use my skills and experiences to help build a better world for everyone. When I was eighteen years old, I moved to a new state to be with someone I believed I loved. Over the course of the next two years, my life became a perpetual cycle of physical, emotional, and financial abuse. I felt trapped—not because I didn’t want to leave, but because I saw no safe path toward independence. He controlled our housing, transportation, and finances, which made escape feel utterly impossible. As the abuse escalated, he also worked to isolate me from my friends and family, convincing me that no one else would understand or support me. While navigating the challenges of an abusive relationship, I found myself quietly fighting a growing battle with substance dependency. My reliance on alcohol deepened, and I began drinking daily to endure the trauma I was living through. With every attempt to dull the pain, the emotional burden became harder to manage; my feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness were exacerbated exponentially. Eventually, the weight of my addiction combined with the abuse I was enduring pushed me to a breaking point, and I tried to take my own life. My suicide attempt left me hospitalized for more than a month, and it was there that I finally received the critical care I desperately needed. During that time, I reconnected with my family, and they helped me move into a 90-day treatment program that allowed me to not only escape the abusive relationship but also build a solid foundation for my recovery. I learned healthy coping mechanisms, began processing my trauma in a safe environment, and gradually built a support system I could rely on. For the first time in years, I finally imagined a future that was worth fighting for—one rooted in resilience instead of survival. My lived experience has shaped the way I view justice, safety, and the role of technology in protecting those most at risk. Being a computer science student with previous experience studying sustainable development, I plan to focus my career on climate modeling and disaster resilience—developing tools that help predict displacement patterns, improve emergency planning, and ensure support systems reach the people who need them most. While environmental disasters and climate-related displacement do not cause intimate partner violence, they do create conditions such as isolation, financial strain, and overwhelmed services that can intensify abuse and severely limit survivors’ access to safety. My goal is to design data-driven solutions that improve access to essential resources, enhance safety, and empower individuals in unstable situations to make informed decisions. I strive to create technology that not only responds to crisis but also prevents harm before it occurs. This isn’t just about building a career—it’s about creating lasting change so that survivors are no longer left behind by the systems designed to keep them safe.

For several years, I was trapped in a destructive cycle of substance abuse and alcoholism. Before addiction took over my life, I was a dedicated student who was fully engaged in academics and extracurricular activities, to the extent that I even become a full-time college student during my junior year of high school. I had clear ambitions, strong relationships, and a promising path ahead. I had no idea that my future was about to take a drastic turn, and not in the direction I had hoped. Grappling with mounting pressure, childhood trauma, and emotional turmoil, I turned to drugs and alcohol to dull the pain. Years into my substance dependency, I found myself trapped in a physically abusive relationship. Despite the fact that my ex-partner was arrested multiple times on domestic violence charges, I stayed in the relationship, convinced that my own issues with substances made me deserving of violence. This was when a bleak realization came to me; I was trapped not only by the abusive relationship but also by my addiction. Deeply ashamed of who I had become, I shut out everyone who wanted to help me. I couldn’t stand the thought of letting my friends and family see how dire my situation had become. Suffocating in guilt and trauma, my self-isolation only fueled my dependency further. When I finally escaped that relationship, the emotional scars ran deep, and my reliance on alcohol and drugs became completely unmanageable. I lost everything—my job, car, apartment, friends, and family—and when I hit rock bottom, I attempted to take my own life. That was my turning point. In the days following my suicide attempt, my parents came to the hospital and offered me the help I had desperately needed but had been too embarrassed to ask for. They enrolled me in a 90-day treatment program, where I received the critical support and care that allowed me to build a solid foundation for my recovery. Although the beginning was not easy, those three months changed my life for the better. I learned how to cope with my trauma, face my addiction, and began the long process of healing. Over time, I’ve been fortunate enough to make amends with my loved ones while rebuilding a network of support. I’m slowly reclaiming the future I once believed was lost. I’ve attempted to return to university several times, but financial challenges have hindered my education. Despite these setbacks, I am more determined than ever to pursue personal growth. Today, when I’m met with adversity, I know I have numerous tools and resources available to help me manage my life without needing to run from it. While my journey may not have been a linear path forward, I remain grateful for every step taken as I’ve been able to learn the importance of resilience and self-compassion along the way. I am no longer just surviving—I am building a life filled with hope and healing. My past experiences continue to inspire me to help others who are struggling, whether that looks like advocating for systemic change, volunteering in community programs, or simply lending a listening ear to someone who needs a friend. I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to write an essay for the Alexander Hipple Recovery Scholarship. With the support of this scholarship, I would be able to continue my educational pursuits while nurturing my recovery—not only for myself, but as an example to others fighting their own battles.

Taking a person who dreads picking up a book and transforming them into someone with a genuine passion for reading is no easy task—yet this is exactly what #BookTok did for me. The first book on my ideal bookshelf would have to be “Dark Matter” written by Blake Crouch; it is a mind-bending thriller that confronts themes of alternate realities, identity, and sacrifice. With a fast-paced and multifaceted plot, this book is a page-turner that compels readers to immerse themselves in the author’s storytelling. Users within the #BookTok community wasted no time diving into discussions about the ethical dilemmas that Jason, the main character, grapples with. “Dark Matter” raises philosophical questions surrounding reality and the lengths someone would go to reclaim their life, and these have become popular topics for discourse among content creators who have read the book. While I could easily compile an extensive list of reasons why I subjectively love this book, the true testament to its greatness lies in the overwhelming positive engagement it has received from #BookTok users. Next on my imaginary shelf of literature is “The Black Farm” series by Elias Witherow. This series has significantly influenced my reading habits, marking my first encounter with the horror genre. While the writing style greatly deviates from what is typically regarded as classic, I found it to be highly enjoyable, albeit dark. What stands out most in this novel is the visceral nature of Witherow’s writing; it evokes intense emotions from the reader. This book may not top the list of popular recommendations on mainstream #BookTok, but if your algorithm leans towards the eerie and unsettling, then “The Black Farm” might just make its way onto your For You Page. This extreme horror series pushes boundaries and delves into disturbing, yet fascinating, themes of life after death, moral ambiguity, and survival. It has sparked thought-provoking video essays about fear, the allure of exploring the unknown, and grief after loss. Behind the more shocking elements of this book is a subtle reminder that literature can push us out of our comfort zones to confront difficult truths about human nature. Last, but certainly not least, is “The Empyrean” series by Rebecca Yarros. This series has garnered immense popularity within the #BookTok community, and rightfully so. The author seamlessly weaves various genres—including fantasy, romance, and action—forming a remarkable reading experience. The strong character development and vivid world-building have captivated book clubs and #BookTok users alike, transforming this series into a sensation. Violet, one of the main characters, fascinated readers with her growth from a reluctant cadet to a fierce and resilient warrior. #BookTok readers have embraced Violet’s journey, drawing parallels between her challenges and the struggles faced by young adults everywhere. I found Violet’s resilience deeply inspiring, as it highlights the importance of persistence in my own life. Additionally, I’ve come across some creative #BookTok users cosplaying as characters from this series wearing intricate costumes designed for their videos. I find this to be an entertaining and imaginative way to foster a sense of belonging among readers within the community. #BookTok has enriched my bookshelves with a wonderful diversity and depth, and I hope that the books I’ve chosen to discuss reflect even a small portion of that. From boundary-pushing horror to mind-bending science fiction and emotionally charged journeys, each of these books has left a lasting impression on my reading journey. #BookTok showcases the platform’s unique ability to connect readers like never before. I’m endlessly grateful to this niche online community for demonstrating the power literature holds to connect, challenge, and transform us in unexpected ways.