Returning to school after a seven-year hiatus has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. It came with a wave of mental and physical challenges I hadn’t fully anticipated. I often feel like I’m playing catch-up, both academically and in life. Friends, peers, and even family members seem to have moved forward while I stood still, tangled in the struggles I couldn’t always explain. Despite the doubts and the emotional toll, I chose to come back to school because I believe in something greater than just earning a degree: I believe in reclaiming my mental and physical wellness as the foundation for a better future. Mental health has been a lifelong battle for me. Depression and anxiety have lingered like shadows, influencing everything from my relationships to my academic performance. These struggles were significant enough to derail my previous attempt at university, eventually leading to my disqualification. At my lowest, I grappled with suicidal thoughts and self-harm. It was an isolating, dark time that made the idea of returning to school seem impossible. But healing doesn’t happen overnight; it takes choice after choice, effort after effort. I started small: being honest with friends and family about how I was feeling. The support I received reminded me that vulnerability doesn’t make me weak; it makes me human. I began therapy, a space where I could unpack years of suppressed emotions. I’ve also embraced what I call “tough love”. It is a reminder to myself that while self-compassion is vital, so is discipline and persistence. Every day I choose to show up, I’m taking back control of a life I once thought I had lost. Just as my mental health needed attention, so did my physical well-being. Physical health has become daily practice. I began walking to school, which is just about a 15 minute stroll from the apartment I share with my boyfriend. These walks have become moments of reflection, small victories where I tell myself, “You’re doing it.” I’ve also joined workout classes and started focusing on strength training, aiming to bulk up. Through consistent physical training, I have experienced noticeable improvements in both my physical well-being and self-image. My health journey took on new urgency when I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. The pain and complications forced me to make serious dietary changes. It became clear that I couldn’t keep treating my body like an afterthought. I started paying attention to what I ate, with the focus on nourishment, and have started prioritizing foods that help me feel better inside and out. I’ve learned to substitute chips for fruits and stopped myself from overeating. This has benefited both my physical health and, importantly, helped me manage my spending more responsibly. Ultimately, I’ve started making these changes because of a promise. My boyfriend and I have been together for over three years, and in that time, he has made me realize that I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I want our life together to be long, prosperous, and healthy. While balancing school, mental health, and physical wellness is not easy, each step I take is a step toward the person I want to be. I’m learning that wellness isn’t about perfection; it’s about resilience. I will continue to live my life this way.

Last year, I applied for this scholarship with a deep desire to return to school and start a new path in cybersecurity. At the time, I had just left a tech nonprofit where I spent years teaching vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens, non-English speakers, and formerly incarcerated individuals, on how to safely use everyday technology. I shared stories about their struggles with digital safety and my growing conviction that cybersecurity isn’t just about systems—it’s about protecting people. That belief still drives me, but after a year of school, hands-on experience, and personal growth, I can now see a clearer picture of where I’m headed and how I plan to get there. My five-to-ten-year goal hasn’t changed. I still see myself working as a cybersecurity analyst or in a related field, ideally in a role that allows me to investigate threats and design tools that help ordinary people protect themselves. I want to work for an organization that shares this mission and eventually contribute to building safer digital environments for those who are most often left behind. Longer term, I hope to return to community education in some capacity, using my technical expertise to teach digital literacy to vulnerable populations. I want to close the gap between advanced cybersecurity practices and real-world accessibility. To reach that goal, I’ve thrown myself into both academic and professional development. Over the past year, I’ve been studying computer science at San Diego Mesa College, learning Java programming and core computing principles. I joined a programming internship through San Diego Mesa College, where I’ve been working with my professor on a video game project. One of the main projects I helped implement was setting up peer-to-peer networking. That experience has taught me how systems communicate and have deepened my understanding of how cybersecurity principles apply in real-world coding environments. On my own time, I’ve also been studying for the CompTIA A+ certification using online resources and plan to take the exam by the end of summer. All these steps are helping me build a strong technical foundation to pursue more advanced certifications and roles in the cybersecurity field. But the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Returning to school after a seven-year absence was daunting. It required not just academic discipline, but emotional work. I had to face past failures, manage my imposter syndrome, and rebuild my confidence from the ground up. As a queer Filipino student in tech, I’ve had to carve out my own sense of belonging in spaces where I’m still in the minority. But this year has shown me I can hold my own, both in the classroom and in my goals. I’m still driven by the same mission I shared last year; to protect the people I used to teach, and others like them, from falling through the cracks of a rapidly evolving digital world. I still speak to some of my former students and many of them have gone above and beyond what I’ve taught. They’re actively teaching themselves and each other about new technology, such as AI and machine learning, and even new ways of protecting themselves from scams. One student, an 83-year-old woman, told me that she has been able to teach people her age how to set up anti-malware software, something she wouldn’t have been able to do a few years ago. She, like many of the people I’ve met on my journey, inspires me every day on this path. I hope I can make her and my other students proud.

My interest in pursuing a computer science degree stems from a combination of personal experiences and a desire to make a meaningful impact. I spent five years working at a tech non-profit in San Diego, where I taught vulnerable populations how to use various technologies safely. This experience revealed the significant challenges faced by senior citizens, non-English speakers, and individuals recently released from the penal system, all of whom struggled to navigate a rapidly evolving digital world. Their stories of financial losses, identity theft, and online fraud struck a chord with me and motivated me to learn more about how to protect people from these threats. This ultimately led me to pursue a degree in computer science, focusing on cybersecurity. As a gay Filipino man, I have also experienced the feeling of being marginalized or overlooked due to my background. This personal understanding of vulnerability has deepened my commitment to helping others who are often dismissed or underserved. At the tech non-profit, I saw firsthand how vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by cyber threats. Many of the individuals I worked with had never had the chance to learn about technology until late in life. For example, one of my students, a senior citizen, had her identity stolen after trusting a fraudulent website. These experiences opened my eyes to the need for more accessible cybersecurity education and protection for marginalized communities. My goal after receiving my computer science degree is to work in a field that allows me to combine my technical skills with my passion for advocacy. I want to specialize in cybersecurity, where I can develop innovative solutions to protect both individuals and organizations from cyberattacks. I envision myself working for a company that prioritizes cybersecurity research and development, finding new ways to counteract emerging threats. I hope to be at the forefront of creating tools and systems that make technology safer and more accessible for everyone. In addition to my technical aspirations, I want to continue educating and advocating for those who are often left behind in the digital age. I want to replicate the confidence I instilled in students, like this 87-year-old man who went from resisting self-checkout kiosks to proudly buying his first smartphone, on a larger scale. By sharing my knowledge of cybersecurity with underserved communities, I hope to empower more people to use technology without fear. I believe I am an ideal candidate for this scholarship because of my unique combination of technical skills, personal experience, and commitment to helping others. Returning to school after working in the tech field has provided me with a clear sense of purpose and direction. I am driven not just by a desire for personal success, but by a passion for making technology safer and more accessible for everyone. This scholarship would provide crucial support as I work toward my goal of becoming a cybersecurity expert and advocate, allowing me to focus on my studies and continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

My family and I immigrated from the Philippines in the late 90’s because my father enlisted in the US Navy. Growing up, my parents were constantly working to make ends meet for our family consisting of my parents, myself, and my four brothers. I would often see my parents struggling to juggle their jobs, buying groceries, and providing for us. As soon as I was able to, I started taking over some of the household chores. Whether it was cooking dinner for the family, washing and folding laundry, or getting my brothers ready for school, I wanted to make sure that I could ease their burdens just a little bit. It was because of this responsibility that I wanted to pursue an education. My parents worked hard with what little money they made to send all their children to a higher education, and it’s made all the difference. My brothers are now able to support our parents and live their lives because of their hard work and dedication to our family. I want to be able to do the same. My families’ kindness and dedication to each other and the world has inspired me to pursue a higher education in Computer Science, something that I have been passionate about since my childhood. I’ve been actively pursuing a career in cybersecurity because there are so many people out there who often get their money and identities stolen. Scammers and hackers often use vulnerable populations to steal what little they have. I want to use my knowledge to help protect people who grew up with little money like I did. My family motivates me every day to pursue this goal, and whether or not we have money, we will always have each other.

A few years ago, my father retired from the Navy as an E-7. He dedicated about twenty-three years of his life to protecting our American dream, both for our family and the greater good. My older brother was born when my parents were fresh out of high school. To support his family, my father enlisted in the Navy. Because of this, my parents, older brother, and I immigrated to the US from the Philippines. This is common among many Filipino immigrants; in fact, the most prevalent career paths for us are either serving in the military or becoming nurses. My parents never had any qualms about our lack of interest in these careers; they wanted to give us an opportunity to pursue our own dreams. I had a lot of friends that had parents in the military; however, some aspects of the military child experience were different for my brothers and me. The most glaring difference was that my family stayed in the same house in San Diego. Unlike military children, who had to travel wherever their military parents were stationed at, my father took it upon himself to travel for us. He wanted us to stay rooted in San Diego so that we could have a stable adolescence. The downside of this decision was that we rarely got to see him. There were many Christmases and birthdays that he missed because of his work. Despite this, growing up he would shower us with love and affection regardless of where he was. He always made sure to bring us gifts from the various places he was stationed. My favorite among these were video games he could have only obtained in different countries. As a child, I was ecstatic to receive Japanese video games. I took them to school just so I could show them off. I did not realize it then, but my father sacrificed so much to provide for us. However, the most important lesson I learned from him happened later in life when his military career was settling down. He was not traveling as much as he used to, and he took advantage of that. He would assist in coaching my brothers’ sports games. He would celebrate every victory, regardless of the accomplishment. More importantly, he took time to get to know each of his children and instill values he learned from the military. It was important to him that we had a functioning household growing up. My brothers and I all took time to learn how to thoroughly clean, fold and iron laundry, and to work hard on our education. More importantly, I learned what it meant to be dedicated to the family. It was important that we all showed up for each other, regardless of our petty squabbles. My father was always dedicated to his work and his team, so much so that I would sometimes see him working on projects for them late into the night. The people in the military sacrifice so much for the sake of others. Just like my father, they spent countless days working to ensure our safety; both for the general public and their own families. My father’s decision to enlist in the Navy changed the courses of our lives forever. Someday, when I have my own family, I hope I can be the father he was to me.

Growing up, my life has been shaped by the challenges and opportunities that come with being an immigrant, balancing responsibilities, and finding my place in a new world. Born in the Philippines, I spent the first five years of my life separated from my parents, who had immigrated to the United States to provide a better future for our family. Adjusting to life in California was difficult; I faced language barriers, cultural differences, and the pressures of excelling academically while supporting my family. My experiences growing up in a low-income immigrant family and later working at a tech nonprofit further fueled my passion for technology and its potential to empower marginalized communities. I witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities and the elderly, who were often left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This inspired me to pursue a degree in computer science, with the goal of developing innovative solutions that make technology more accessible and secure for everyone. This scholarship would be a significant step toward achieving my educational and career goals. It would allow me to focus on my studies, reduce the financial burden on my family, and continue my journey to becoming a cybersecurity expert who not only understands the technical aspects of the field but also the human side of it. I aspire to create technologies that protect and empower vulnerable populations, ensuring they can navigate the digital world safely and confidently. In the future, I see myself working at the forefront of cybersecurity, developing tools and strategies that safeguard personal information and prevent cyberattacks. I also envision myself continuing to advocate for underrepresented communities, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to protect themselves online. This scholarship aligns perfectly with my aspirations, providing the support I need to continue my education and make a meaningful impact in the world. This scholarship would not only help me achieve my educational dreams but also allow me to give back to the communities that have shaped who I am today. With this support, I am confident that I can continue to grow, learn, and contribute to a safer and more inclusive digital world.

I worked and volunteered at a small tech nonprofit where I live. Our mission was to “improve San Diego’s workforce and economic growth by equipping individuals and communities with the necessary tools to thrive in a digital world.” One of my co-workers, Allison, was an instructor for our Adaptive Technology team. She had a particularly important job; Allison, as a blind person, taught other blind people how to navigate their computers and smartphones with the purpose of joining the workforce. She excelled in her job. Many people she taught went to graduate from the program and find success in many areas, such as office work, retail, the arts, and more. I am truly fortunate to have grown up in an era where the digital landscape provides conveniences for the public. Technology is great to use; it makes ease of daily tasks, gives us access to new and compelling opportunities, and connects us all worldwide. However, we often forget that not everyone has access to the same technology. More importantly, we do not often think about how people with disabilities are able to use that same technology. It leads to an unequal footing for people with disabilities, especially when they are trying to find work. Allison takes the time to research innovative technologies, such as new screen readers, new devices, AI integration, and other useful software and hardware, to find out which works for her and her students. She teaches her students not just how to use technology, but how to use their own devices. She makes the technology work for them. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the integration of AI and open-source platforms to enhance accessibility. Tools like Google Drive, which offers features like voice typing and screen reader support, allow people with disabilities to collaborate and create in ways that were once unimaginable. Additionally, AI-driven technologies have become increasingly sophisticated, offering personalized adaptations that cater to a wide range of disabilities. For example, AI can now automatically adjust the contrast of a screen based on a user’s needs or provide real-time captioning for those with hearing impairments. I was able to play a small part in the work of the Adaptive Technology team. This team, funded by the state and consisted of all blind and seeing impaired individuals, worked tirelessly to provide an excellent level of education. I was lucky to see how they used tools like screen readers to navigate Google Drive without seeing what is displayed on the monitor, using voice activation to ask Siri or Chat GPT questions, and how they developed other technologies for their own needs. I am pursuing a degree in computer science, in part, to further Allison’s commitment to the advancement of technology for people with disabilities. Her journey as an instructor has always inspired me because of her dedication to her students. I want to continue that education for as many people as I can help. I would love to find ways to make technology adaptive to a variety of disabilities. It is important to me that people, like Allison, can navigate this new and exciting digital world. I want her and everyone else to be a part of that.

My entire life has been dictated by one simple question: “What could go wrong?” I’ve asked that question regardless of the scenarios I found myself in, whether deliberately or not. Case in point; my best friends and I planned to go white-water rafting, five hours from our San Diego home. None of us had done it before, but we were always excited for new experiences. Despite some setbacks, I thought, “What could go wrong?” In hindsight, a lot. Part of the trouble began when, the day before the trip, I noticed that it was time for my car to get an oil change. I had usually been on top of the maintenance on my SUV. I thought, “A few extra hundred miles won’t hurt my car.” As we packed my car in the morning, we suddenly got an alert for a hurricane. We, as San Diegans, have always been fortunate to have the best beach weather all year round. We thought, “It’s just a little bit of rain, right?” The drive to our hotel was uneventful. The supposed hurricane was a mere drizzle, and we had a wonderful start to our vacation. We joked, played games, and enjoyed the music. The next morning, we learned that the hurricane was moving toward our destination. We rationalized that since we were heading up the mountain, it would pass beneath us. “What could go wrong?” We drove up the mountain on a windy road. We turned off our music to really take in the sights and sounds of the natural redwood. It was so different than the beaches and oceans in San Diego. Seeing trees this tall, grazing the sky, felt like I had been transported to a different world. Then, my car’s check engine light came on. My friend asked if I wanted to turn back. Maybe I should have. The rafting experience itself was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever accomplished. Nothing felt more exhilarating than facing the rapids head on. We were being thrashed around like a roller coaster; our only protection was the provided life vests. However, even when our raft jumped over rocks and tumbled over tides, there was a stillness in the forest that soothed me. On the quieter parts of the river, where the water was just barely floating us along, I was able to listen to the wind howl and see the crystal-clear sky. It was as if nothing had gone wrong. However, as I found out, quite a lot went wrong. We finished our trip and headed down the mountain. As soon as we reached the base of the mountain, my car started to sputter. I had never experienced anything like this before; my car kept making these strange noises and the hood started to smoke. I had to make an emergency stop on the side of the road. We were still so far away from our hotel and there were no gas stations or other businesses nearby. We called some local mechanics, but they all said the same thing; the hurricane was heading straight for our area, and it would be too dangerous to move my car. At first, the hurricane was just a small drizzle and some light humidity, but as the minutes turned to hours, the wind picked up and was thrashing us around. My car became the only place we could find safety. No one we called could help us. Just then, this middle-aged man, on his way home from picking up beers to wait out the hurricane, decided to stop for us. I was apprehensive at first. I was already on edge because of the situation I, admittedly, put us in. He approached us and explained that he and his family lived around the area. While running his errand, he saw 3 men drenched from head to toe trying unsuccessfully to fix a car. He offered to help us out, and again, I thought, “What could go wrong?” This time, nothing went wrong. This man, out of the kindness of his heart, stopped to help some strangers who were struggling in the middle of a hurricane. He offered us a beer and helped us find a tow truck to move my car back to the hotel. That would at least solve one problem. He even drove us back to our hotel, ten miles away from his home. His kindness warmed me up more than his car heater. The rest of our trip consisted of nothing but luck and kindness. He dropped us off to our hotel, we stayed one more night, and in the morning, we found someone who was willing to tow my car five hours back to San Diego. I hate to admit it, but these problems could have been prevented if I had just actually considered what could go wrong. However, I realized that this trip couldn’t have happened if I always thought about how everything could go wrong. I could have easily canceled the trip because of the weather. I could have easily ended the trip early had I just acknowledged the red flags. I’ve always been the type of person who did things despite the issues that might persist. I’m sure someone sane would look at this situation and think of all the different ways to prevent them, but that’s not who I am. I probably caused more trouble than I should, but I don’t regret the actions I took. Regardless of what I caused; I also wouldn’t have had this adventure with my best friends. I wouldn’t have experienced the strength of this hurricane firsthand. I wouldn’t have experienced kindness in its truest sense. And above all, I wouldn’t have a story to tell quite like this one. “What could go wrong?” I guess I’ve always answered that question the same way. “Who knows?”

I was born prematurely on April 12th, 1994. Five days later, my parents and older brother left the Philippines and immigrated to the United States. My father enlisted in the US Navy two years previously when my older brother had just been born. They stationed him in Southern California. My parents saw this as an opportunity to get the family out of poverty in the Philippines; they wanted to give us a life that they never had growing up. I was supposed to be born in the US a month later in May, but complications during my mother’s pregnancy led to my surprise birth. My wonderful parents had to leave me in the care of my grandparents. For the first five years of my life, I grew up in the Philippines not knowing my own parents. As time passed, my father was finally able to petition for me to live in the US with them. Adjusting to life in California was difficult. I had grown up speaking Filipino, and now suddenly I had to learn English. I grew up with children who looked like me, and now suddenly I was being teased for bringing “disgusting smelling” food. Elementary school was difficult; I felt so far away from my community. It was the same for middle school. Unlike my previous schools, which were in the poorer areas of San Diego, my parents made it a mission to put us in a prestigious and affluent high school. It would take us about an hour to arrive to school and another hour to arrive back. My father, who at this point had been in the Navy for 16 years, was often stationed around the world. That left my mother to take care of five children. It was difficult considering she also had two jobs. They sacrificed so much to provide for our family. I felt it was my duty to take care of what I could. My parents did not have a chance to graduate college in the Philippines. I made it my mission to attend college so that I could make money for my family. In hindsight, my parents just wanted me to take advantage of the freedom I was given in America. But I took their opportunity to heart, almost literally, by pushing myself. I chose a college close to my home so that I could be there to take care of my family. I also chose to pursue an English degree. I wanted to write the story of my family and what my parents had to endure to get to where I am today. I excelled at writing; I was able to publish a few essays in a few prominent publications. I had high marks in my English related classes. I fell in love with Shakespeare; with Milton; with Langston Hughes. I loved writing. Initially I was excelling in school. However, life took its toll on me. I could not keep up with the demands of being a loyal son, an academic achiever, and a socialite. I had to sacrifice my mental wellbeing to appease so many aspects of my life, and it resulted in my disqualification from school. I felt like I had no support; I felt like I could not find a place that I truly belonged. I took some time to get back in touch with my roots. I joined a few clubs that helped me learn about my Filipino heritage. I volunteered in a few LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to learn more about my sexuality. I also took time to learn more about the various communities around me. I learned that many folks, especially those who immigrated from outside the US, struggled with the same issues I did. I did not feel like I was alone. It was also around this time that I realized how important technology was to our communities. I saw firsthand that folks lacked access to basic technology that would ease their way of life. This was especially true during the pandemic where many folks, especially the elderly, did not know how to operate technology. They felt stuck, afraid, and alone. Luckily, I was able to work at a non-profit that allowed me to educate people on the importance of technology, especially about the lack of access. I was able to advocate for the elderly to have access to basic smartphones, computers, and the internet. The work I did with that non-profit guided me in the path I am taking today. I am currently attending college again, this time for a bachelor’s in computer and information sciences. I want to educate more people about the lack of access to technology that would help so many different underrepresented communities. I want to show those same communities that they can rely on technology to make their lives a little easier, whether it is translating spoken languages for communication, using coupons at the store, or learning how to use Zoom for doctor’s appointments. More than that, I want to create technology that would keep vulnerable populations safe from scams, hackers, malware, and other cyber threats. I want to instill confidence in communities that really need it. I want to make these changes for folks. I have embraced the technological world and believe that many of the technologies that are emerging can help so many people in need. I also want to prove to myself that I can finish college and obtain my bachelor’s degree. I was lucky to be born today where many of these opportunities are available, and I want to show people that they can access them too. I have a different drive than I had years ago. Instead of finishing college for my family, I will be finishing college because I want to finish. I have finally found a reason to continue, and I would not have been able to without my community.

I see myself as a cybersecurity expert working at the forefront of protecting vulnerable populations and organizations from cyber threats. I want to be someone who not only understands the technical aspects of cybersecurity but also the human side of it. My goal is to work in a role where I can develop and implement innovative security solutions that can safeguard people's personal information and prevent cyber attacks. Before coming back to finish my bachelor's degree, I worked at a tech non-profit in San Diego for five years. My main job was teaching vulnerable people how to use various technologies safely. We held in-person classes at libraries and community centers, mainly for senior citizens, non-English speakers, and folks who had just left the penal system. These people were often terrified of using their smartphones or computers. Society tends to dismiss these groups because of their age or background. Being a gay Filipino man myself, I understand what it feels like to be dismissed because of my background. But the real reason these folks are vulnerable is that they haven't been given a fair chance to learn. At my job, I heard countless stories of people losing money, assets, and even their identities due to online fraud. One student came to my class after being catfished online, losing most of her savings. Another student had downloaded multiple viruses from clicking on Facebook ads and ended up having to wipe his computer. The story that hit me the hardest was about a senior citizen who had her identity stolen after trusting a fraudulent website with her social security number. Many people might think these issues could have been avoided with common sense, but I always reminded my peers that these folks didn't have the same access to technology back in their day. Many received their first smartphone well into their supposed retirement. With no knowledge of how current technology works and the constant changes, they are left in a tough spot: either learn quickly or be left behind and at risk. Hearing what my students went through opened my eyes to the importance of cybersecurity. By learning more about it, I aim to achieve two main goals. First, I want to bring this information back to vulnerable populations, giving them the tools to defend themselves. This will hopefully empower many to use everyday technology safely. Second, I want to discover new ways to protect people from emerging cybercrimes. I want to dive deep into cybersecurity to find new defensive measures that companies can use to protect people's information. Additionally, I want to contribute to cybersecurity research by understanding how these attacks happen, both from a technical standpoint and how they impact victims. In five years, I hope to be working for a company or organization that values cybersecurity and is committed to protecting its users. I want to be involved in research and development, finding new ways to counteract cyber threats and creating tools that make technology safer for everyone. I also see myself continuing to educate and advocate for vulnerable communities, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves online. Since attending my classes, many of my students have achieved their goals. I've managed to inspire them to learn how to use their tech. One student, an 87-year-old man who was initially against using self-checkout kiosks, recently bought his first smartphone. He was thrilled to show it off and even more excited to use what he’s learned. I want to give more people the confidence to try technology without fear.