I remember the day my life changed forever. It was a typical morning when my mother entered my room, shaking and distraught. She told me to call my father immediately, which seemed strange, but I followed her instructions. As I dialed his phone, my mother clung to me tightly. To my shock, my father's sister answered the phone, sobbing and screaming that my father was gone. At that moment, my heart sank, and my mother cried out in agony. I couldn't believe that all the plans we had made were now gone, and I desperately wished to hear my father's voice one last time. My father had followed in his father's footsteps and become a politician in Sierra Leone. My father was passionate and committed to his party until his death, and he talked about the change he wanted to bring to Sierra Leone. Unfortunately, my father never got to see that change. He passed away a couple of months before the new presidential elections, which he was looking forward to promoting and encouraging the youth to vote in. But now he can't. But he left behind a legacy that was important to him, and I knew I couldn't let it go in vain. As I mourned his loss, a burning fire sparked within me, and I told myself that I had to continue his legacy. I refused to let his dreams and aspirations go to waste. To honor his memory and continue his work, I enrolled in computer science classes and learned how to code. I plan to major in computer science in college and become a computer programmer. My goal is to develop software programs for schools in Sierra Leone to help children with their comprehension and skills. I am passionate about this project because I believe that education is the key to success, and it is especially important for children living in poverty. Many schools in Sierra Leone lack the resources to educate their students. By developing software programs that will help improve children's comprehension and skills in various subjects such as math, science, and reading, I believe that when these children grow up, the skills they learned from my software will help them make Sierra Leone great again. Children are the future of Sierra Leone, and if we can provide them with quality education and resources, it will better equip them to lead the country forward. Continuing my father's legacy means everything to me. It's not just about fulfilling his dreams; it's about making a difference in the lives of others. I am committed to working hard and dedicating myself to this cause, knowing that it's what my father would have wanted. Losing my father has been one of the most painful experiences of my life, but it has also given me a renewed sense of purpose. By continuing his legacy, I hope to make a positive difference in the world and honor his memory in the best way possible. I am determined to work hard and make a lasting impact on Sierra Leone, knowing that my father would be proud of me.

I'm from Sierra Leone, a third-world country where the gap between the rich and the poor is clear. The poverty and hardship that most of the population faces are a constant reminder of the unequal society of Sierra Leone. When I visited Sierra Leone in 2018, the daily struggles that many people face overwhelmed me. Children working hard on the streets, selling goods under the blazing sun, was a painful sight that stayed with me. One moment that stands out is seeing a young boy selling brooms. His appearance was unkempt; his clothes had holes, and he was barefoot, with a look of exhaustion and pain. Some children I met faced challenges that are unimaginable to most of us. They lacked access to necessities like clean water, healthcare, and education. Even as I talked to some parents and children in the area, I learned many children could not attend school because of financial struggles. My experience showed me how poverty and inequality can limit a child's potential and prevent them from realizing their dreams. This experience also gave me a sense of empathy and determination to change the lives of the children I met there. My empathy allows me to connect with others, understand their struggles, and feel compassion for them. This quality is essential in my journey to effect change in the lives of those who need it most. My passion to effect change inspired me to pursue a career in computer programming to create interactive educational software for schools in Sierra Leone. Through this software, I plan to provide children with access to 21st-century skills and learning opportunities, giving them a chance to break free from the cycle of poverty. My ultimate goal is to make education accessible to every child in Sierra Leone and to enable them to achieve their full potential. My experience in Sierra Leone gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges that people around the world face, which has strengthened my empathy for the less fortunate. It is this quality that I value most in myself, as it allows me to connect with others, understand their struggles, and strive to create solutions that benefit them. Every child deserves the opportunity to receive an education and achieve their full potential, which motivates me to do everything in my power to make this a reality. With my empathy and skills, I am excited to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it the most.

I was born in the Bronx, a world of loud noises and bright lights. Growing up in the Bronx was not easy, as it was filled with many challenges such as violence and poverty. Due to the unstable situation in my neighborhood, my mother decided to move out of the Bronx and to New Jersey. My parents had immigrated from Sierra Leone, seeking a better life and greater opportunities. Despite the challenges they faced, they were determined to build a future for themselves and me in this new and unfamiliar land. In 2018, when I visited my grandmother in Sierra Leone, I was shocked by the terrible living conditions I saw. The infrastructure was poor, the streets were dirty, corruption was rampant, and poverty was everywhere. I saw countless school-aged children selling items on the side of the road, struggling just to survive. This experience reminded me of the right to receive an education I have in the United States and made me believe that all children should have the same right. This inspired me to start a campaign to help children in Sierra Leone obtain an education. I believe that with the right resources and support, these children can break the cycle of poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families. I have always had a passion for math and have found that it is my strongest subject. I have enjoyed learning about different math concepts and have found satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment when solving difficult problems. In my junior year of high school, I became interested in computer science as a way to apply my math skills in a practical setting. I began exploring websites such as Khan Academy and watched short videos explaining concepts such as algorithms, cryptography, and other notions in computer science. I discovered that computer science is a rapidly growing field with many opportunities, and I believe that my strong background in math will be an asset in this field. I am also drawn to the problem-solving nature of computer science, as it allows me to use my logical skills to design and develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Unfortunately, there is a lack of representation for women in computer science, particularly for women of color. According to data from the National Science Foundation, only about one-quarter of computer science degrees in the United States are earned by women. This lack of diversity can make it intimidating for women, especially women of color, to enter the field and succeed. I want to inspire more women, especially women of color, to enter the field so we can help create a more diverse and inclusive computer science community. Some ways that I can inspire women to join the field and succeed include mentoring or tutoring women who are interested in computer science, encouraging women to pursue education and training in the field, and supporting organizations that promote diversity in computer science. In addition to starting my campaign, I would love to become a computer programmer and use my skills to help children in Sierra Leone. Whether it's building websites or creating educational software, I am committed to doing what I can to give these children the chance to learn and grow. Overall, I am excited about pursuing a STEM degree in computer science because it allows me to combine my love of math with my interest in problem-solving and technology. I am confident that a STEM degree will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in this field and make a meaningful contribution to the world.