In computer science, where innovation and security intersect, my journey began with a profound curiosity sparked by an uneasy reality. As a first-generation Hispanic woman, my path into the world of technology has been unconventional but driven by an unwavering determination to make a difference. My interest in pursuing a computer science degree was kindled by a persistent issue many of us face in the digital age: scam emails and online fraud. Daily, I found my inbox filled with deceitful messages to trick unsuspecting individuals. This constant exposure to digital deception drove me to dig deeper into cybersecurity. I yearned to understand the minds of hackers, their techniques, and, most importantly, how to protect individuals from becoming victims. A desire to safeguard their sensitive information from the prying eyes of cybercriminals led me on this transformative path. My journey commenced with a foothold in software development, where I cultivated my skills in coding languages such as Java, C#, and HTML. Yet, the true essence of my dream unfolded at a critical moment during my web development course. I discovered an affinity for cybersecurity, a field closely aligned with computer science but inherently driven by the mission to shield individuals and organizations from digital threats. At that point, my dream job once fixated on working at Google headquarters, evolved into something more profound. I realized that my initial motivation was not just about coding but protecting others from behind the screen. My dream had transformed into a vision of acquiring comprehensive knowledge to think defensively and offensively in cybersecurity. I yearn to join a company where I can harness my technical skills to counteract the ever-growing global threat of cyberattacks. Cyber threats are a primary concern globally, and I am determined to significantly contribute to reducing the risks associated with data breaches, sensitive information loss, phishing attacks, and other digital threats. Despite coming from a low-income background, I have overcome unique challenges to excel in this predominantly male field, utilizing my studies to gain knowledge and skills. While I may lack financial resources, I believe that knowledge is empowering, as stated by Francis Bacon. Additionally, my presence in the tech industry represents the diversity that is increasingly valued, bringing inclusivity to the forefront and enriching the field. In brief, my computer science journey, particularly in cybersecurity, is driven by an eager desire to protect individuals within the digital domain. My history and unwavering dedication to preserving our identities and employing ethical precepts in anything I do and in the workplace render me the ideal nominee for the prestigious Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship. This esteemed scholarship, christened in honor of the venerable Chris Jackson, would serve as a conduit for realizing my aspirations and perpetuating the heritage of unyielding commitment, ingenuity, and empathy embodied by Chris.

I vividly recall a moment from childhood when I accompanied my younger brother into a fast-food establishment. Clutched tightly in our small basket was an assortment of Mexican sweets. Innocently, we made our way around the restaurant, approaching each table with an offer to sell our treats. Graciously, my brother and I would extend our gratitude and genuine smiles upon completing a successful sale. Filled with pure joy, we would dash toward our parked car, where our mother awaited, expressing gratitude to God for our modest earnings. As my mother caught a glimpse of our beaming faces, she reciprocated with a heartfelt smile. I recognized my mother's unwavering determination and resilience in adversity at that moment. I, too, vowed to provide for my family as I grew older. Since that fateful day, I have undertaken various occupations, including working at a Mexican merchandise store, a fast-food establishment, dine-in restaurants, and a movie theater. I am employed in a customer service role at my university, where I dutifully serve meals to fellow students. Thus, how I was raised by my single mother, who took on both parental roles, has dramatically influenced my character. I learned from a young age that hard work is essential and that being able to share a meal with loved ones at the end of the day is a blessing. As a proud first-generation Hispanic student, my faith in God is the foundation for my values and actions. I strive to embody humility, responsibility, determination, compassion, bravery, and kindness towards everyone around me. Life is about creating meaningful memories with those who reciprocate love rather than trying to please others. People often describe me as a positive force, and I enjoy bringing joy to others and being a good listener. An example of my considerate nature is when I bought an extra pillow in college and gave it to a fellow student who needed one. My family faced financial hardships growing up, but my mother always worked hard to provide for us and still made time to show us love. Because of this, helping others is something I always strive to do. I not only read the bible, but I also try to live by its teachings. Hence, I am a sophomore at Grand Canyon University studying cybersecurity to protect sensitive information online. I aim to learn and utilize tools and methods to prevent data breaches, scams, and other malicious activities that could influence individuals. With the increasing reliance on technology for various tasks, it is crucial to defend against cyber-attacks. This scholarship will assist in covering my educational expenses, allowing me to further research and develop offensive and defensive strategies as a white hat hacker. As a Latina in a male-dominated field, I am grateful for the opportunity to challenge stereotypes and prove that anyone can succeed in their chosen field with dedication. I believe that my abilities in this field are a gift from God, and your support will help me achieve even greater success.

Listening to music can be a favorite hobby for many people, providing a way to escape reality for a while and focus on the beauty of the present. Running in the morning can be an ideal time to listen to music, as it can be therapeutic and help improve one's health. I enjoy listening to my favorite songs while I do outdoor activities, such as running, walking, and hiking. This allows me to be more focused and committed to my fitness goals, like weightlifting, core training, and going to a gym facility. I made a concerted effort to change my unhealthy eating habits and replace them with healthier ones. I could resist my cravings by turning them into healthy and nutritious meals. For example, I make oatmeal and banana pancakes with oatmeal, banana, egg, and milk and throw them in a pan. I also make a chocolate cake by mixing cocoa powder, egg, banana, and oatmeal, mixing, and microwaving it for three minutes. There are also oatmeal cookies, Greek yogurt pastries, and several healthy recipes. I realized that more nutritious foods do not have to be expensive, as I can prepare various meals cheaply. It all depends on my willingness to change for the better. I realized that I must eat healthily and drink enough water to feel more active throughout the day, as when I eat more junk foods with unnecessary fat and sugar, I not only gain weight but am more prone to future diseases. I decided to eat healthier when I began college, as I want to do everything I want throughout my life without complications. Instead of being in a wheelchair at an old age, I will run and play with my grandchildren. I have committed to becoming disciplined and balancing healthy and unhealthy foods by eating proportionally. For instance, eating a slice of the donut is alright as one may be craving one, but that should be the limit. Later through the day, I try to eat healthy foods such as vegetables and healthy protein with healthy fats such as chicken, fish, salmon, and carbohydrates such as rice to balance my guilt of eating the donut. I do not abuse the food I eat, as anything in excess can cause damage to one's body and mindset. Instead of eating chips for a snack, I switched to apple slices, which would fulfill me. Instead of eating popcorn, I change it to a granola bar. If I want something sweet, rather than eating candy or any other sweets, I try blended shakes with peanut butter, almonds, pretzels, or chocolate milk to decrease my cravings. I try to eat processed foods, dine out, or eat innutritious foods when it is the only option. Drinking water before and after meals is critical as it decreases my food consumption. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating home-cooked meals, watching what I eat and the ingredients it has in them, and being more active doing any exercise activity. I have found this enjoyable as I can listen to my favorite music and eat my favorite foods using healthier ingredients. Overall, I feel more productive and confident.

College life is expanding out of one's comfort zone and getting to know the exterior outside one's four walls from living with one's parents. For that reason, expanding one's friend circle, trying new food, cultures, and new places, becoming independent, and recollecting all the memories, not only gaining academic knowledge but the incredible insight into the hardships of life, is what excites me from college. I am not afraid of change. When one switches lanes from high school to university, one is prone to being grateful and appreciating the beauty and value of one's home and college, as not many individuals risk being mentally challenged daily. Having the courage, audacity, and confidence to work hard towards my goals, studying Cybersecurity, working a full-time job, having a healthy fitness journey, spending time with God, social events, sleeping well, and having fun has been a stressful yet great adventure as I have learned various things. College is an opportunity to discover new things from the outside world while finding hidden talents. Thus, one finds one's weaknesses and strengths at college. I maintain a healthy mind at school by having an organized schedule. I write down the due dates for assignments, events, and responsibilities for the day every day in a notebook. I have a checklist for everything I do; thus, I stay on track with everyday activities. Therefore, I have my priority, which is my education. However, I must have robust mental health to succeed in my studies and dedicate time to myself. For instance, a typical day might be, attending a gym facility, working at my full-time, then heading to class, and ending the day by studying. However, I already have everything planned, as I always attend social events, do grocery shopping, do chores, and take time for myself when I know I am more than caught up on my assignments. I maintain a balance between school and my personal life. Focusing more on either can lead me to sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, stressed, and not motivated. I try to discipline myself to be constantly busy as I believe there are not enough hours to do what one wants. For instance, I spend part of my free time applying for scholarships as it is more essential and beneficial than doing something else. Any financial support towards my education would be an incredible opportunity and privilege to obtain. Moreover, I stay focused on everything I do as I want to grow physically, mentally, spiritually, and academically. There might be times when I am exhausted, stressed, and preoccupied with my future. However, I have faith in God. God is the one that gives me the strength to be nonstop active throughout the day as I was taught that one must work hard for one what desires. I desire to pursue my goals; thus, obtaining my bachelor's degree motivates me to keep going, as all my effort will be worth it. I maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul by staying busy, cooking healthy meals, and doing any physical exercise, such as weightlifting, while feeding my soul with God's word, as it is the only food that can fulfill me feel peace and joy. Faith in God gives me strength, but learning and growing as a person inspires me not to look back and keep going, as we all start from nothing and become someone greater due to effort.

When one sets their mindset to a healthier lifestyle, they'll find it easier to change bad habits for good. One must be disciplined to succeed, though – if one can control themselves, one can avoid unhealthy eating habits and see real progress in weight and fitness. The mind can be tricky, convincing someone to eat unhealthy food instead of preparing a home-cooked meal. However, if one wants to look and feel better, one'll have to make better daily choices – and that starts with changing one's mindset. We are our obstacles to success. Healthy eating habits are the first step to achieving our goals. We can achieve higher goals if we can overcome ourselves, our temptations, and our lack of self-confidence. It all starts with consistency, and one sees progress over time. However, many eat healthy to lose weight, and while it's a huge benefit, I chose to eat healthy to set an example for my family members. If I eat nutritious foods consistently, I will live longer as I eat the essential nutrients to get stronger. I want to be there for others, and I can only do so if I start caring for myself in the present. I can save money, feel better, look better, and be more productive by eating moderately and incorporating healthy, rich nutrients into my meals. I will prevent illness and doctor visits by choosing to prioritize self-care. Before starting college, I would drink soda, candy, bread, and unhealthy carbohydrates. However, I realized that harmful items, such as ice cream, pastries, pasta, bread, and sugar drinks, are fair to add to my food if consumed appropriately. I discovered that oatmeal, fruits, fiber cereals, white rice, fish, chicken, eggs, and other foods are nutritious and easy to make. I would make my lack of time an excuse not to prepare healthy meals, but it's uncomplicated to prepare snacks or food for the next day, such as overnight oats, granola bars, apple slices, and even a banana throughout the day. A healthy diet constantly encourages someone to keep going in their pursuit of a healthier life. What I mean by keep going is that one notices changes in every aspect of their life and decides to continue pursuing a healthier lifestyle. As a college student, I lacked healthy eating habits because I told myself I couldn't make healthy meals in my dormitory. However, I was lying to myself. Anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it. So, I started looking for ways to create healthy snacks and meals to prevent myself from falling back into the old routine. Since I've been making healthy eating changes, such as drinking water and incorporating healthy fats, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber foods into my diet, I've noticed significant changes in my energy, robustness, and excitement. I'm more enthusiastic about making new recipes and think more productively in everything I do. Changing one's lifestyle promotes one's mental health, as it motivates one to work out their physical health, improve their grades, improve their friendships, and have a social life. I am eating healthy, and that's the first step to reaching my life goals. If I take care of my health now, I will be strong and healthy for my future children, and instead of worrying about back pain, I will play with them. I must discipline myself for a more significant change in the future, for eating healthy is the first step to living a more fulfilling life. It is not a temporary habit but a life-changing event.

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I love spending time with my friends and family and am quite introverted. I take things moment by moment and am grateful for what I have today. I put extra effort into everything I do because I want to be remembered as someone who always went the extra mile, not because I had to but because I have the privilege to get to do things. I enjoy various activities, including playing tennis, dancing, listening to music, walking at night, gazing at the stars, hiking, preparing healthy meals, and working out at home or a gym. I am always focused on helping others achieve their goals or being there for them when they experience their most significant accomplishments or setbacks. I never stop trying until I reach my goals. I am inspired by the reminder from God that I have a purpose and that I'm here to use my talents. My mother also motivates me by reminding me that I must study for a better future. However, she doesn't know why I want to establish a career - so I can be proud of myself and share my success with her. I would love to travel and help people in need if I could do anything. I am an adventurous person, so I would love to experience different cultures and, along the way, show kindness to those who are not seen, which would be the greatest gift I could receive. There is a lot of potential for innovation and progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One of the things I love about working in STEM is the challenge. I'm always eager to try again if I struggle with a project to get the best results. I hope my efforts will help contribute to the future of society, and I'm proud to be a part of something so important. Technology has become increasingly important in our lives, and it's exciting to see how new ways of using technology can make our lives easier. Many incredible individuals are working in STEM fields, and it's inspiring to be a part of something that will positively impact the world. Information technology requires individuals to manage and study the codes written by computer scientists to help others using these programs; this way, they can test and provide technical advice to those using them. Specialists in information technology will keep programs from crashing by having coding experience, which is why they are always available to offer help. As a university student seeking to explore the cybersecurity field just like IT, I am confident that my abilities and knowledge could assist in solving actual predicaments. One such problem might be advancements in medical care dispatches or wider education accessibilities through technology implementation while safeguarding private records. This career pathway would lead me toward unique prospects encompassing creative solutions and strategic problem-solving approaches. I could not only be at an IT help desk, but I would also make people's and companies' lives easier by assisting them with my technical knowledge and skills. My biggest challenge is my fear of being too insecure and lacking confidence and trust. The challenge was committing or becoming disciplined to step forward and improve my health by working out, reading, spending more time with God, eating more nutritious meals, having a sleeping schedule, and focusing on my needs. I knew I had bad habits because I would worry about others more than myself, so it took a great leap of faith to take care of myself by starting earlier than later. Self-doubt has been an obstacle to my success, but I've overcome it by relying on myself and my abilities. The challenge has been mental; I've thought I couldn't ever commit to waking up early to work out or doing productive things. For example, I would always make excuses, postpone activities, and tell myself I would eat healthier, nutritious foods later. I felt I lacked the self-control to discipline myself into a healthier lifestyle. However, I realized that I lacked faith in myself. The road to success is not always easy; there will be setbacks. Therefore, I was not giving up. After recognizing that I had the strength within me, I began to list all my duties and responsibilities; I also found time to cook new recipes and spend time with friends. I realized that it didn't matter how many mistakes I made or how slowly I progressed as long I was trying. I fought against my doubts and felt capable of anything if I kept trying. I was able to regain confidence.

Throughout high school, I was indecisive about what I wanted to do with my life, as I didn't know what interested me. I only had experience in customer service, where I had worked in the food industry, and I saw myself continuing to help others in the future. High school graduation approached, and I decided to go into computer science. The only truth was that I enjoyed helping others, and it would be a step up to do it across global networks. I entered the software development field right after starting college because I wanted to be involved in the technology industry. I didn't enjoy programming, so I didn't see myself spending the rest of my life behind a screen. I want to be able to talk to others and get out and experience the world while still being an introvert. Moreover, a STEM major was still on my radar as I did not yet want to give up, for I chose this field for a reason, and I felt I was missing something; I was not happy. Then, one day, I told God to give me a sign to choose a major where I would learn how to protect others from being harmed online rather than programming practical applications for individuals. I asked God for a major that would bring me happiness in using my skills, as I had the soft skills, yet I needed the hard skills. Then, Cybersecurity came to my mind, and I knew it was a signal. Through my cybersecurity studies this semester, I've learned about essential concepts for protecting your identity and confidential information from being stolen online. Through my courses, professors have taught me that you can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it. I've realized that I enjoy learning about laws and concepts, and I see Cybersecurity as a broad field of detecting, analyzing, investigating, and searching for unusual network activity worldwide. Therefore, I chose this field as I am trying to enrich others' lives through technology. Although I still lack technical skills, having communication skills will give a great human touch to meeting every customer's needs. I am passionate about caring for others as I love to motivate, listen, and help others in any way possible, either face-to-face or through a computer. With my experience with coding, I built my website and managed to try some projects with java and C#. I discovered how experienced programmers could use their coding expertise to attack web servers; thus, building my website taught me that I want to become a white hat hacker. I want to help any company by identifying weaknesses and making necessary updates to prevent attacks from black hat hackers. I am seeking scholarships and will continue to do so post-graduation. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, hopefully, I will be working for a company where I was an intern. They will value my quality of learning to grow and offer me a full-time position. I will seek every fair job opportunity to get my name out there, showcase my projects that I may have done, and persuade companies that my contribution to their organization will be an asset, for I am willing to put in the work. I want to help a company by satisfying their customer's needs because if they feel safe, their company will strive and be safe. I will not give up on being successful after graduation; I will keep looking if I have not found a job offer before graduation. I will not give up on pursuing my dream.

I believe our lives have a purpose and meaning beyond satisfying the world. Following God's will matters to me, so I put him above all else. Therefore, I am grateful for each new day and humble in the face of what the world offers. Everything that comes my way is a gift from my faith in God, and I am forever grateful for the blessings he has given me. My most important quality is my faith. It allows me to be humble, kind, generous, and optimistic, and I always have a great attitude toward any challenge. Through faith, I have been able to overcome many things. I see the positive side of things, even when things are tough. My Hispanic background has taught me several lessons, including not letting failure define who I am. I will be where I want to be if I keep my mindset positive. A brief background of my family: we have been homeless, living from shelter to shelter, rented place to another, and although we do not have a permanent home, we are getting through today. Having my mother, both parental figures, not give up on providing shelter, resources, and her time to support her family made me realize that I will not fail, as there is always a solution to anything. My mother sought church help, government assistance, food stamps, food pantries, shelters, and especially aid from God for financial support, and God has never left our side. As the youngest sibling of four, seeing my mother's battle and life story has motivated me and confirmed that God acts in our lives without realizing it. This proves one needs motivation, determination, and faith to succeed, not finances. My mother has been a working woman, so I learned to be a hard worker from her. I didn't ask my mother for needed things because I knew that if I worked hard, I could get them myself or help my mother. My biological father didn't provide child support, so my mother couldn't always work a high-paying job. As well she only has a high school diploma. For that reason, I've been selling pastries such as empanadas, cheesecake, brownies, bunuelos, and other items to households and restaurants to help pay the bills since I was six. That's how I became humble and didn't ask for things; instead, I took an opportunity. Since then, I've had several jobs and learned much about growing and succeeding. These jobs include working at a Mexican store, a fast-food restaurant, server and hostess, Flowers and clothes boutique, and other experiences that led me to growth. My heritage and background have taught me that it's essential not to give up, for I'm constantly seeking ways to improve. I have the privilege of being born in the United States, which has endless opportunities for me. My circumstances don't define me, but how I approach them and react matters most. I live by faith today, working hard to pay for my school tuition. I see the world as a puzzle and am determined to figure it out. My family has taught me the importance of fighting for what we want, and I'm going to enjoy life, following God to one day share the success he's allowed me to have with them. I see the world as a place of joy as I depend on God, and he will guide me to his perfect plan for me; my family inspires me for success, and God delivers the strength.

The world believes it is good to trust but better to distrust others. I agree at a certain point; however, once someone told me that one that does not value my time does not deserve the love I give, I responded, "I know, but what matters is what God sees." I share this example as I realize that although no one sees the love, time, or advice we offer, we should not expect love in return, as we know it is the right thing to do. We all want love, but why not fulfill ourselves joyfully by seeing others be joyful? Isn't it the most incredible gift? For that reason, I would change how others decide to support others and the environment, as the world needs more humble individuals who help without asking but because they are grateful for what they have. They wish to share their love and time with others, as God wants us to do that. One can often expect that when they do something good, it will involve making a significant, public gesture. But sometimes, it is just as important to do something small, unnoticed, that helps someone else. As a result, I have contributed to helping the homeless in my surroundings. Yet, we should have the instinct to help others right away, no matter what. Helping others is not a competition; it is sharing what we have. When we help others, we will be even more blessed because it is not about being greedy but having a pure heart. Therefore, I help others without others noticing because it has the most significant impact, knowing that someone will be better off than before. Growing up, I bounced from home to home and shelter to shelter. I've realized that humility is a quality that others gain from me when we meet. I don't envy or judge others; I try to push others to succeed, and I am always there to help. For instance, when we drive past the unpaved roads in Mexico, we see mothers selling their craftsmanship items, food products, or anything. We contribute, and our money has a real impact on these women and their children. Nowadays, we see how drugs, alcohol abuse, gambling, and worldly addictions have corrupted the world. So, I put myself in others' shoes, not reckoning with others. I comfort them by understanding their situation and helping them. This way, I can save and change lives. Sometimes individuals have suicidal thoughts, are unhappy, or their life circumstances do not allow them to be grateful, and they still have a smile on their faces. My point is that we do not know what an individual is going through, even if they seem perfectly normal, for we should not target who and who don't we help, as that makes us a hypocrite. One should not feel pity for others in the street and only help them so one can feel good about themselves. One should help their friends and family acquaintances and be kind to anyone who crosses their path, as who knows if that person feels loved and valued enough to continue their journey on earth with a simple text, smile, greeting, or hug. I cannot change individual behavior, but if everyone acted positively and helped others without expecting anything, the world would be much better. Sometimes these small acts can be as simple as hugging someone, opening the door for someone, or cleaning an abandoned house for the construction of a public school. We should all look out for one another, as even a little help can make a big difference.

Our lives have meaning and purpose beyond simply pleasing the world. Following God's will matters to fulfill one's life, so I place him above all else. Therefore, I am grateful for each new day and humble in the face of what the world offers. I know that everything that comes my way is because of my faith in God, and I am forever grateful for the gifts he has given me. The quality I value most is my faith. Faith allows me to be humble, kind, generous, and optimistic, and I always have a great attitude toward every challenge. Through faith, I have been able to overcome many things. I see the positive side of things, even when things are tough. For instance, my family was left homeless, and my mother, both parental figures, did not give up. Instead, she sought church help, government assistance, food stamps, food pantries, shelters, and especially aid from God. Seeing my mother's battle and life story has motivated me and confirmed that God acts in our lives without us realizing it. Today, I am far from college and rely on my faith to get through each day. During my first semester of college, I felt like I was slowly drowning as I didn't have my family's support, my career wasn't what I expected it to be, I didn't have many people to confide with, and I was worried about my finances. That semester, I lacked faith as I let the world determine my circumstances rather than allowing myself to have peace and trust that everything would be okay. God told me to focus on my mental, physical, academic, and emotional well-being while seeking him and that everything would be fine. Today, I am independent, responsible, and passionate about everything I do. My typical day is going to the gym, classes, working, eating healthy, having positive friendships, and sleeping well. My faith allows me to be successful, as God is the one that gives me the strength to do everything. My faith will help me on my life journey as I depend on God. Although I may face difficult obstacles, meet harmful individuals, and be prone to all the negative people and things from this world, I am not walking alone. Life's path is not a straight road to happiness and peace. Life's path is a dangerous road with bumps, signs, and turns, and I chose this road as that is how one learns about life and grows as a person. There might be a road with a sign that says, "Do not enter," although I am stubborn and I enter, God will be in charge to teach me why it was not worth entering. Thus, my most valued quality is my protection through life. It allows me to walk confidently through everything, no matter what. This quality allows me to do what I'm afraid of, such as walking home through a dark tunnel. It may be dangerous, but I shouldn't think of it that way. I should think of myself as the light in the darkness, and I will make it through. My faith will allow me to have a peaceful and joyful life journey, as everything that occurs, everyone we meet, and everything we do and don't do is part of God's plan.

My parents allowed me to be born in the United States, the most outstanding achievement of my life. My citizenship has opened many doors throughout my life, such as having my first paid job at sixteen years of age in Whataburger. This responsibility was a blessing as having a job is the first step towards success; becoming independent. I am grateful for the experience of having coworkers and becoming self-sufficient because one day in the future, I will need to rely on living on my earnings and stop being dependable on my parents. This job informed me that it is not easy to provide food and shelter, and other necessities for one individual; hence, it is more challenging to provide for a family. This job taught me how to be accountable and appreciative of everything I have; it showed me that one should not take things for granted as each gross is earned through hard work and determination. Moreover, my experience at Whataburger helped me comprehend that I must study and have a career as working in a fast food place is a decent job, but I want to further my horizon. I envision myself one day working for Google Headquarters, and I believe It will come true as Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." I would not have imagined greeting customers a year from today, making drinks, passing out orders, charging orders, and smiling when cleaning the restrooms. I became an employee at Whataburger on December ninth, 2020, and I quit on April second, 2021. Although I am not a current employee, I am delighted with the mark I left there as I was the month's employee for February, which is a fantastic achievement as there were over 60 employees, and I was a new recruit. I resigned from my job because of transportation issues as my mom became swamped to take me to work; she has too many responsibilities as a single mother. Moreover, although we have financial problems as my mother has to take care of four children, our family has moved forward. I wish I could have continued in my job, but things happen for a reason, and I believe the right moment for when I have another job would be when I have my first car. I am grateful for working part-time about three to four days a week and getting home at night to do school work as I learned how to manage my time. Also, I realized that I can be responsible, and I am willing to work in a fast food place again to help my family and save up for college. Besides, this job instructed me how to work under pressure and never give up, although one faces difficult situations in life. There were demanding customers and times when the boss yelled at me to do something wrong, but I smiled and respectfully accepted my errors as one learns from their mistakes. Making honest money and seeing my mom struggle each day to bring food into my siblings' plate taught me that I want to establish a career. I am uncertain If I am truly prepared to experience the downs and falls that my future will bring, but I am optimistic that I will receive a bachelor's degree in computer science. I want to prove that my experience at Whataburger and my struggle in sports, school, and days without sleep were worth something. I want to graduate college to please myself, as I want to be dependent and buy my first house, car, travel, and give my mother a better life based on my earnings. I believe I will be a successful software engineer in the future. I will obtain my master's degree, create several projects that will help society, purchase my first home; and the first trip I will take is to take my mother to Israel; it is the place she has always wanted to visit. I will not stand still, letting life decide for me; I will work and study hard to be a strong independent woman, just like my mother.