Military service changes the way you look at responsibility long after the uniform comes off. As a veteran, my connection to the military is not simply part of my past; it continues to shape the standards I set for myself, the way I approach challenges, and the direction I have chosen for my future. Serving taught me discipline, accountability, adaptability, and the importance of being part of something larger than myself. Military life also taught me that difficult circumstances do not remove responsibility. Problems still require solutions, people still depend on you, and quitting when something becomes uncomfortable is not always an option. Those lessons have stayed with me through some of the hardest periods of my life and have influenced the person I continue working to become. My experience as a veteran also plays a major role in my educational journey. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, where many of the values I developed through military service directly apply. Cybersecurity requires integrity, attention to detail, continuous learning, and a commitment to protecting people and systems from threats that are constantly changing. Maintaining a 3.98 GPA while working toward my degree reflects the same determination and personal accountability that military service taught me. My goal is to build a career where my education and previous service can work together. Protecting information, infrastructure, and the people who depend on them gives me another opportunity to serve in a different capacity. Being a veteran has shaped more than my history. It has shaped my values, strengthened my commitment to education, and given me a clear purpose for what I want to accomplish next.

Being the first person in my family to earn a college degree means breaking a cycle that I honestly believed for a long time would follow me forever. I was born into difficult circumstances and experienced things as a child that no child should have to go through. For years, survival came before dreams. College was something that felt far away from my reality, not because I lacked determination, but because I spent much of my life trying to recover from situations that held me back emotionally, financially, and mentally. Reaching this point means proving to myself that my past does not get to decide my future. Earning a degree also means creating a different path for the people around me. I want younger people who come from painful backgrounds to see that it is still possible to build a meaningful future even when life starts unfairly. Being first generation is not just about education to me. It represents stability, growth, healing, and finally having the ability to turn painful experiences into something useful that can help other people. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity. I chose cybersecurity because technology plays a huge part in both protecting and exploiting vulnerable people. Human trafficking, online exploitation, financial abuse, identity theft, and child exploitation have all become deeply connected to the digital world. Criminals use technology to hide, manipulate, recruit, threaten, and profit from victims. I want to develop the technical skills necessary to help stop that. My education has allowed me to study areas like ethical hacking, digital forensics, network security, operating systems, and incident response. I am especially interested in digital forensics and investigative work because these fields can directly support efforts to identify predators, uncover digital evidence, trace illegal activity, and protect victims. Cybersecurity is not just a career path to me. It is a way to fight back against the kinds of situations that destroy lives behind closed doors while often going unnoticed by the public. My long term goal is to work in a role where I can combine cybersecurity, investigative work, and advocacy for vulnerable people, especially children. I want to contribute to efforts that identify exploitation networks, support investigations involving trafficking or abuse, and strengthen systems that protect victims rather than failing them. I also want to continue speaking openly about overcoming adversity because many people who come from traumatic environments grow up believing they are permanently trapped by their past. College has already changed my life. Along with the military, college gave me direction, confidence, and a purpose bigger than myself. Every class I complete represents more than academic progress. It represents choosing growth over fear, discipline over defeat, and hope over the circumstances I was born into. My goal is not simply to succeed for myself. My goal is to use my education, experiences, and determination to help create safer futures for others who cannot yet protect themselves.

During my time in the military as a rescue swimmer, I learned very quickly that recognition and reality do not always line up. One situation in particular has stayed with me because of how clearly it showed that. It was during a demanding training evolution that required coordination, awareness, and quick decision making. I took the lead in keeping the situation controlled, communicating what needed to happen next, and making sure nothing escalated into something unsafe. The outcome was successful, and everything went the way it needed to. Later, when the event was reviewed, the credit for what happened was given to someone else. No one corrected it. No one questioned it. It was accepted as fact. I remember standing there knowing exactly what had happened, and at the same time understanding the environment I was in. Speaking up in that moment would have shifted the focus away from the mission and onto individuals. In the military, especially in high pressure roles, that is not always the right move. The expectation is that the mission comes first, and personal recognition comes second. So I made the decision to stay quiet. At the time, my reasoning was simple. The job had been done correctly, no one was hurt, and the objective had been met. That mattered more to me than whether my name was attached to it. I did not feel the need to correct it in front of everyone, and I did not want to create unnecessary tension. I had been trained to think in terms of outcomes, not attention. But even though I chose not to respond in that moment, the experience stayed with me. It made me think more deeply about leadership and integrity. It showed me that doing the right thing does not always come with recognition, and that sometimes the person who contributes the most is not the one who is acknowledged. More importantly, it made me realize how important it is to give credit accurately when you are in a position to do so. Recognition is not just about acknowledgment. It affects trust, confidence, and how people view their role within a team. That moment also challenged me to reflect on my own response. While staying quiet kept the situation stable in the moment, it also allowed an inaccurate version of events to stand without question. Over time, I started to see that there is a difference between avoiding unnecessary conflict and avoiding accountability. That is something I have continued to work through as I have grown. Since then, I have carried that lesson into my education and into the path I am building in cybersecurity. I approach my work with the understanding that results matter, but so does integrity. In fields like cybersecurity, there will be situations where the work is done behind the scenes, where recognition is minimal, and where the focus is entirely on outcomes. I am comfortable with that. At the same time, there are situations where accuracy and accountability matter just as much as the result itself. If I were faced with the same situation again, I would handle it differently, but carefully. I would not make it a public issue or disrupt the environment in the moment. However, I would address it directly afterward in a professional way. Not because I need recognition, but because accuracy matters. Allowing something incorrect to stand can affect more than just one situation. It can shape how future decisions are made and how people are evaluated. This experience had a lasting impact on how I see myself and how I operate. It reinforced that integrity is not tied to whether someone is watching or giving credit. It is tied to consistency, accountability, and being willing to stand by the truth when it matters. It also strengthened my ability to stay focused on the bigger picture, while still recognizing when something needs to be addressed. It also connects to the kind of work I want to do long term. My goal is to use cybersecurity and investigative skills to help combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations. That kind of work requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to operate without recognition. It also requires a strong sense of integrity, because the stakes are much higher than personal credit. The focus has to remain on the outcome and the people being protected. Looking back, I do not regret how I handled the situation at the time. It reflected the mindset I had developed and the environment I was in. At the same time, I recognize how I have grown from it. I now understand that leadership is not just about stepping up in the moment. It is also about making sure that truth, accountability, and fairness are maintained over time. That balance is something I continue to develop. It shapes how I approach challenges, how I work with others, and how I carry myself in both my education and my future career. It also reflects the kind of character I strive to build. Someone who does the work without needing recognition, but who also understands when it is necessary to speak up and set things right.

Education matters to me because it gives me the ability to move from reacting to problems to actually preventing them. In the military, I learned how to respond when something went wrong. As a rescue swimmer, every situation was urgent and unpredictable, and success depended on discipline and clear thinking. Over time, I started to see that the real impact comes from stopping those situations before they happen. That realization is what pushed me toward continuing my education in cybersecurity. Right now, I am about a year and a half away from completing my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, and I have maintained a 3.97 GPA. I have already earned my CompTIA Security+ certification and I am working toward my AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. I also study OSINT on my own time because I want to understand how information is gathered and used in real investigations. For me, education is not just about earning a degree. It is about building the knowledge and skills that allow me to take action in meaningful ways. Education also represents something deeper. It is proof to myself that I can stay consistent, disciplined, and focused over a long period of time. Balancing school, certifications, and independent study has not been easy, but it has forced me to stay structured and accountable. Those habits carry into everything else I do. Education has shaped how I approach problems, how I think through challenges, and how I continue improving even when something does not come easily at first. The legacy I want to leave is centered on protecting people who cannot protect themselves. My long term goal is to use cybersecurity and OSINT to help combat human trafficking, especially cases involving women and children. That goal is personal, and it gives direction to everything I am working toward. I want to be part of solutions that identify patterns, track activity, and support efforts that actually make a difference. Technology provides tools that can scale those efforts, and I want to be someone who knows how to use them responsibly and effectively. I do not measure success only by career progression or titles. I measure it by impact. If I can use what I learn to help prevent harm and support real outcomes, then that is the legacy I want to leave. Education is what makes that possible. It gives me the foundation, the discipline, and the ability to continue growing so I can contribute in a way that matters over time.

I learned in the military that waiting for something to go wrong is already too late. As a rescue swimmer, I was trained to respond in high pressure situations, but over time I started thinking more about how those situations could have been prevented in the first place. That shift in perspective is what led me to pursue computer science and cybersecurity, where I can focus on reducing risk before it turns into real harm. My computer science goals center on becoming highly capable in cybersecurity, cloud systems, and data analysis. I am currently about a year and a half away from completing my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with a 3.97 GPA. I have earned my CompTIA Security+ certification and I am working toward my AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. I also spend time studying OSINT outside of school to better understand how information is gathered and used in investigations. My goal is to build strong technical skills that allow me to identify vulnerabilities, analyze patterns, and apply solutions that actually make a difference. Outside of computer science, my goals are focused on helping combat human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations, especially women and children. This is not a general interest. It is something I take seriously and plan to dedicate my efforts toward long term. My background in the military shaped how I see responsibility and service, and I want to continue applying that mindset in a different way. I am not interested in technology for its own sake. I am interested in how it can be used to protect people who are often overlooked. Combining these goals is where I see the most impact. Cybersecurity and OSINT provide tools that can be used to track activity, identify patterns, and support investigations that go beyond traditional methods. Cloud systems and data platforms make it possible to handle large amounts of information and respond faster. By developing technical skills and applying them toward a clear purpose, I can contribute to efforts that are both practical and meaningful. Everything I am doing now supports that direction. My academic performance, certifications, and independent study all show a consistent commitment to learning and growth. I approach challenges with discipline and focus, and I am willing to put in the work required to improve. I am not just working toward a degree. I am building the skills and mindset needed to apply computer science in a way that has a real and lasting impact.

I learned early in the military that reacting to danger is not enough. The real goal is to prevent it before it ever reaches someone who cannot protect themselves. As a rescue swimmer, I was trained to respond in high pressure situations where every second mattered. That experience shaped how I approach problems, but it also made me think beyond response and toward prevention. That shift is what led me to pursue computer science and cybersecurity, where I can take that same mindset and apply it on a much larger scale. My computer science goals focus on building a strong and practical foundation in cybersecurity, cloud systems, and data analysis. I am currently about a year and a half away from completing my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with a 3.97 GPA. I have already earned my CompTIA Security+ certification, and I am working toward my AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification to strengthen my understanding of secure cloud environments. Outside of my coursework, I study OSINT to better understand how information is gathered and used in investigations. My goal is not just to gain knowledge, but to become someone who can identify risks, analyze patterns, and apply solutions in real situations. At the same time, my non computer science goals are tied to something much more personal. I want to contribute to efforts that combat human trafficking and protect women and children. This goal comes from my background in the military and my awareness of how often vulnerable people are overlooked or exploited. I have seen the importance of stepping in when others cannot, and I want to continue that in a different way through technology. For me, this is not separate from my career path. It is the reason behind it. Combining these goals is where I see the most impact. Cybersecurity and OSINT can be used to track activity, identify patterns, and support investigations that go beyond what traditional methods can accomplish. Cloud systems and data tools allow that work to scale, making it possible to process large amounts of information and respond faster. By building strong technical skills and applying them toward a clear purpose, I can contribute to efforts that protect people in a meaningful way. Everything I am working toward reflects that direction. My academic performance, certifications, and independent study all show a consistent commitment to learning and growth. I approach challenges with discipline and focus, and I am willing to put in the work required to reach my goals. I am not just pursuing a degree. I am building the skills and mindset needed to make a real difference over time.

I developed my interest in cybersecurity through a combination of real world experience and a growing awareness of how technology shapes both threats and protection. My time in the military as a rescue swimmer required discipline, fast decision making, and the ability to operate under pressure. That role focused on responding to emergencies, but it also made me think more about prevention. When I began studying cybersecurity, I saw an opportunity to shift from reacting to problems to actively reducing risk before harm occurs. That transition is what pushed me toward pursuing this field as a career. My journey into cybersecurity has required consistent effort and self discipline. I am currently about a year and a half away from completing my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity with a 3.97 GPA. I have earned my CompTIA Security+ certification and I am working toward my AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. In addition to my coursework, I study OSINT on my own time to better understand how information is gathered, analyzed, and used in real investigations. These steps reflect my commitment to building both a strong technical foundation and practical skills that apply outside of the classroom. One of the main challenges I have faced is navigating a highly technical field while holding myself to a high standard. Cybersecurity is not something that can be learned passively. It requires constant learning, adapting, and problem solving. At times, balancing school, certifications, and independent study has been demanding. I have worked through this by staying structured, setting clear goals, and treating my education like a responsibility rather than an option. My military background also helped me approach challenges with discipline and consistency, even when the material became difficult or unfamiliar. These experiences have shaped how I approach cybersecurity. I do not see it as just a technical field, but as a responsibility to protect people. My long term goal is to use my skills to help combat human trafficking by applying cybersecurity and OSINT techniques to identify patterns, track activity, and support efforts that protect women and children. That goal keeps me focused and gives purpose to the work I am doing now. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and I plan to continue growing with it. The challenges I have faced so far have strengthened my ability to stay disciplined, adapt, and keep moving forward. I am not only committed to building a career in this field, but to using it in a way that has a real impact.

I became interested in pursuing a computer science degree through a combination of real world experience and a clear sense of purpose. My time in the military as a rescue swimmer required discipline, fast decision making, and the ability to operate under pressure. That experience shaped how I approach problems today. When I transitioned into studying cybersecurity, I saw how those same skills could be applied in a different way, not just to respond to emergencies, but to prevent harm before it happens. Technology is now a major part of how both threats and solutions develop, and I wanted to be on the side that builds solutions. My goal after completing my degree is to work in cybersecurity and software development roles where I can build the technical foundation needed to support larger missions. Long term, I plan to use those skills to help combat human trafficking. This is not an abstract goal for me. It is something I take seriously and have already started preparing for by studying OSINT and understanding how data, systems, and networks can be used to track patterns, identify risks, and support investigations. I want to be in a position where I can contribute to efforts that protect women and children and disrupt the systems that allow trafficking to continue. I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because my actions already reflect my commitment. I am about a year and a half away from completing my bachelor’s degree with a 3.97 GPA. I have earned my CompTIA Security+ certification and I am currently working toward my AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. Outside of my coursework, I continue to study OSINT and expand my technical knowledge on my own time. This shows that I do not wait for direction. I take initiative and stay consistent. The same mindset I brought to my role in the military is what I bring to my education and future career. I stay focused, I follow through, and I do not lose sight of why I started. This scholarship would support my continued progress, but more importantly, it would support the larger mission I am working toward.

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.