Growing up in the foster care system and living on my own at 16 taught me resilience and the importance of finding purpose. After graduating high school, I joined the military as a rescue swimmer, driven by a desire to make a difference. My time in the service was cut short when I was medically dropped from special forces. It was devastating, but it forced me to reevaluate my goals and chart a new path to impact the world meaningfully. That path led me to cybersecurity, where I have found both passion and purpose. What initially drew me to cybersecurity was its potential to combat child trafficking. After witnessing the devastating effects of exploitation during my time in the military, I knew I wanted to dedicate my career to protecting vulnerable populations. To test my interest, I enrolled in a cybersecurity Bootcamp at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where I graduated at the top of my class. That experience solidified my commitment to this field and inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at Purdue University Global. Purdue’s NSA-built program stood out as the perfect opportunity to deepen my knowledge and skills, preparing me to make a lasting impact in the fight against trafficking. This journey has not been without obstacles. Living independently since my teens has required grit and determination. Recently, I relocated from Oregon to Texas with just my two dogs and a cat, seeking new opportunities in a field I love. Shortly after the move, one of my dogs has faced an unexpected medical emergency, resulting in a very large vet bill. Despite these challenges, I have maintained a 3.9 GPA and received praise from my professors for my performance and dedication. Balancing financial stress, academic excellence, and personal responsibilities has been demanding, but it has strengthened my resolve to succeed. As a woman, military veteran, and first-generation college student, I am part of an underrepresented group in cybersecurity. These identities bring unique perspectives to my work, particularly in areas requiring innovation and empathy. My military background taught me to adapt quickly and remain calm under pressure. Skills that are invaluable in cybersecurity. Additionally, my personal experiences fuel my determination to break barriers and pave the way for others from similar backgrounds to enter this field. Receiving the Hackers Against Hate: Diversity in Information Security Scholarship would ease my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and less on the challenges of living independently. More importantly, it would serve as a testament to the value of diverse voices in cybersecurity. I aspire to become a leader in this field, leveraging technology to create solutions that protect the most vulnerable members of society. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue to work toward my ultimate goal of using cybersecurity to disrupt trafficking networks and safeguard lives. This scholarship is more than financial aid. It represents a commitment to fostering a more inclusive information security community. By investing in individuals like me, Hackers Against Hate empowers a new generation of cybersecurity professionals who are passionate about making the world a safer, more equitable place. I am deeply grateful that this opportunity exists and look forward to contributing my skills, resilience, and determination to the future of this vital field. Thank you for considering my application.