The realization of the power of computers struck me when I was a junior in high school and was preparing for a speed-cubing competition. I came across a video of a robot solving a Rubik's cube in just 1.57 seconds. This amazing feat not only showcased the speed of the robotic arms but also the incredible algorithms that the computer had been programmed with. I was amazed by the fact that a computer could solve a puzzle in such a short period when it took me weeks of memorization to do the same task in 25 seconds. This realization sparked my interest in the field of computer science. When college arrived, I decided to study computer science. I have learned a lot in just one year and I have met many like-minded individuals who shared my passion for technology. These interactions opened my eyes to new opportunities in the field of computer science. This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer with my friends in a program that introduced computer science to low-income children, most of whom were immigrants. I felt a strong connection with these children and was able to communicate with them in Spanish. It was a truly rewarding experience to see them learn, code, and find their passion for technology. By the end of the event, four of the kids approached me and expressed their desire to pursue a career in computer science, bringing tears to my eyes. Just five years prior, I was in their shoes. I was a low-income student in a new country who did not believe college was an option but thanks to hard work and the guidance of my amazing cybersecurity teacher now I can be the person who changes the lives of other kids by sharing my knowledge and providing access to new technology. I am eager to continue my college journey, taking advantage of all opportunities that come my way and continuing to make a positive impact in my community. After graduation, I plan to work for 3-5 in the tech industry. I want to work on meaningful projects that have a positive impact on the world. As of right now, I am very interested in artificial intelligence and data science. I would like to pursue this field and help artificial intelligence be more inclusive and accessible to people around the world. In addition to my interest in computer science, I am also passionate about sports and education. I firmly believe that being physically active and continuously learning new things can have a positive and transformative impact on someone's life. During my high school years, I experienced this transformative power when I played tennis and soccer, which not only enabled me to make new friends but also motivated me to attend a school where I could learn new subjects with enthusiasm. My ultimate goal is to return to my hometown in Mexico and provide kids with the same opportunities that were given to me. I aspire to construct state-of-the-art athletic facilities and equip them with all the necessary equipment to enable children to explore different sports and develop new friendships. Additionally, I aim to create a summer camp that will introduce computer science to underprivileged kids in Mexico and demonstrate the potential of technology to them. Achieving these objectives will require me to work tirelessly on perfecting my coding and communication skills. Although the path ahead is long and arduous, I am determined to overcome all obstacles and fulfill all my aspirations.

“PUSH” I yelled to my mom and brother. My legs were cramping, my arms were weak, and my eyes were red from the sweat. Eventually, we got home, a usual Friday afternoon getting groceries. Ever since we moved to the U.S. buying groceries was a struggle. My mom left the house at 7 PM while my brother and I finished our homework and practiced tennis. At 9:00 PM, we would meet at the parking lot, each of us with a backpack to carry the food. After a long mental break, we rode our bikes for two miles back home. I never cared that we didn’t have a car or maybe I just knew there was no point in complaining. From a young age, I understood our situation: parents leaving everything behind to migrate to the U.S. seeking better opportunities for their family. We struggled for years and despite arriving in a new country with just 20 dollars to spare, the desire for a better life was the only thing on our minds. Our first few years in the U.S. were very hard, we were kicked out of our house because we didn’t pay rent, we barely had anything to eat and we didn’t even know how to speak English. Despite the harsh conditions, my family always remained close. My brother and I became closer than ever and biking around our city became our bonding time. We would visit luxurious places and dream of going inside, even though we couldn't afford it. I have many fond memories of biking around the city, including a particularly adventurous day when twenty vultures surrounded us in a park. Despite the fear, we rode through the birds and had a fun day playing soccer and talking. However, I also have some painful memories, such as the time my brother fell off his bike while taking a shortcut home from the grocery store. We were driving home and had to drive on the edge of the screen because there was no sidewalk for 1 mile. It was a very scary situation with cars driving next to us at 40 mph. My brother got too close to the edge and fell down scraping his arm and face. He started crying as he lay on the ground. I felt powerless. We were alone in the middle of the street with no one to call. This accident made me aware of the dangers of cycling in cities that are not designed for it. I am hopeful that my community will embrace biking and improve our roadways so that my brother and I can safely enjoy our rides in the future. To contribute to this goal, I plan to utilize my computer science skills, specifically in the field of artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. I believe that the automation of all cars will significantly reduce the number of accidents and I aspire to be part of this transformative change. When creating self-driving models, the safety of cyclists must be taken into account and I plan to be the voice in the artificial intelligence industry that reminds everyone about cyclists and their safety. My ultimate aim is for every cyclist to feel secure while cycling in their city, and to be able to spend time with their loved ones without worrying about accidents.

The realization of the power of computers struck me when I was a junior in high school and was preparing for a speed-cubing competition. I came across a video of a robot solving a Rubik's cube in just 1.57 seconds. This amazing feat not only showcased the speed of the robotic arms but also the incredible algorithms that the computer had been programmed with. I was amazed by the fact that a computer could solve a puzzle in such a short period when it took me weeks of memorization to do the same task in 25 seconds. This realization sparked my interest in the field of computer science. The following year, my school offered a cybersecurity class on another campus. Despite the challenges of commuting and missing school activities, I registered for the class and it was the best decision of my life. In this class, I learned the basics of cybersecurity and programming and was introduced to the limitless potential of computers. My teacher showed me how I could use my skills to create amazing things, and showed me the relevance of cybersecurity in today's society. He emphasized the vulnerability of low-income families and elderly individuals to cyber attacks due to their lack of education and resources. This ignited a passion in me to spend all of my free time researching and expanding my knowledge on the subject of cybersecurity. When college arrived, I decided to study computer science with an emphasis on cybersecurity. I have learned a lot in just one year and I met many like-minded individuals who shared my passion for technology. These interactions opened my eyes to new opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer with my friends in a program that introduced computer science and cybersecurity to low-income children, most of whom were immigrants. I felt a strong connection with these children and was able to communicate with them in Spanish. It was a truly rewarding experience to see them learn, code, and find their passion for technology. By the end of the event, four of the kids approached me and expressed their desire to pursue a career in computer science, bringing tears to my eyes. Just five years prior, I was in their shoes. I was a low-income student in a new country who did not believe college was an option but thanks to hard work and the guidance of my amazing cybersecurity teacher now I can be the person who changes the lives of other kids by sharing my knowledge and providing access to new technology. I am eager to continue my college journey, taking advantage of all opportunities that come my way and continuing to make a positive impact in my community. My ultimate goal is to return to my hometown in Mexico and start a nonprofit summer camp to introduce cybersecurity to children and show them the power of technology. To achieve these goals, I need to keep working hard at school to perfect my coding and communication skills. There is a long road ahead of me but I am ready for anything.

The first time I realized how powerful computers are I was a junior in high school practicing for a speedcubing competition and I stumbled upon a video of a robot that could solve the Rubik's cube in 1.57 seconds, at first I was amazed by the robotic arms and the speed they moved but then I started to think all the algorithms I had been memorizing for weeks just to solve the Rubik's cube in 25 seconds, my mind couldn’t comprehend how fast the computer found the correct set of algorithms in such a short amount of time and solved the cube. From that day my eyes were opened to the power of computers and I knew computer science was the field for me. There is no debate that the world is changing at a fast pace and technology is playing a big role in that change. Every day more activities are automatized, and new applications are developed to solve all sorts of problems. Many of these advances can be attributed to the growth of computer science in our everyday lives. Today we can see the influence of computers in many fields which are using new technologies that allow information to be processed faster using complex algorithms and artificial intelligence to find solutions to various problems that have the potential to save millions of lives. For example, health care is using data analysis to go through millions of medical tests results hoping to find patterns that could be used to better understand diseases and find cures for them, in education more online learning programs are being used to track and analyze the learning progress of kids across the world, a more recent example are cryptocurrencies which are controlled completely online and require virtual contracts to verify millions of transactions and thousands of CPU’s to regulate and produce more coins to decentralize the world economy to benefit consumers. Whether we like it or not, computers are here to stay and understanding how new technologies work will be essential to succeed in the next few decades not only in a financial sense but also in a humanitarian way, I truly believe the survival of mankind depends on how fast we adopt artificial intelligence and data analysis in all industries to help us solve world problems which seem to have no solution, we need to trust technologies and keep moving forward for the benefit of the world and computer science is the root of the change.

If I could describe myself in one word it would be "honest." Honesty is a quality that I hold in high regard, both in myself and in others. To me, honesty is about being truthful and genuine, and it is a key component of my personal and professional relationships. I believe that honesty is essential to building trust and creating strong connections with others. When I am honest with others, they know that they can trust me and rely on me to be truthful in all of our interactions. This allows us to build a foundation of mutual respect and understanding, and it helps to create a positive and supportive environment. The most important attribute of being honest is having the ability to be honest with yourself. I am always reflecting on the person I am, looking at my strengths and weaknesses. This allows me to make meaningful changes and grow as a person, as well as understand that I can’t do everything on my own. There is nothing wrong with getting help, as long as you are willing to help others when they need you. When I moved to the U.S. I was terrified and had to accept the reality that I was in a difficult position. I had to learn a new language and adapt to a new country. For a whole year, I struggled to speak at school but I wanted to enjoy my high school experience so every day after school I spend 2 hours reading out loud to improve my pronunciation. I started playing sports and met amazing people who helped me grow and motivated me to pursue a college education. I learned the importance of being honest and how it can change your life. When I needed help I spoke out and someone was there to help me. I understood the importance of working with others and how being honest with yourself can motivate you to work harder and achieve your goals. Now that I am in college I continue to strive to be honest and transparent. I want to build trust and create a positive environment, where everyone feels comfortable and confident in their abilities. I am proud of the person I am today but there is still room to grow. Every day I am learning new things about myself and improving my skills. Being honest has allowed me to push myself to new limits. I surprise myself every day with the willpower I can achieve to follow my goals. Additionally, I have built strong relations with my professors and mentors which has provided me with new opportunities outside of class. I understand "honesty is hardly ever heard" but if everyone starts by being honest with themselves they will be able to see the unlimited potential that is hidden inside of them. I am excited to continue my college career and start my professional career. My goal in life is to make a positive impact on as many people as possible. I want to help them grow as individuals and achieve their full potential. I want to open their eyes to the amazing opportunities the world has to offer and how they can achieve amazing stuff if they are honest and work with others.

As a low-income student, pursuing a college degree in computer science has always been a dream of mine. Growing up, I saw firsthand the challenges and barriers that can prevent low-income families from accessing the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. That's why I am so determined to use my education to make a difference in the lives of others and help low-income communities thrive. One of the ways I plan to do this is by creating software and applications that can help low-income families with their finances. I believe that financial literacy is a crucial skill that is often overlooked, especially in low-income communities. By creating tools that can help people manage their money and make informed financial decisions, I hope to empower them to take control of their finances and improve their lives. In addition to helping with finances, I also plan to create online tools powered by artificial intelligence to educate low-income communities about how to navigate the United States economy. Moving to the United States as a low-income immigrant, I know firsthand how overwhelming and confusing it can be to understand the complex systems and structures that govern our economy. My goal is to create a tool that is personalized so every person moving to the United States can use it to understand basic stuff like how to file their taxes, how to buy a house, how credit works, and many other things that are crucial to understand when living in the U.S. I want to relate this new concepts to ideas they are familiar with so they are motivated to learn and they can make the most of the opportunities they stumble upon. Finally, I hope to use my education to create software and applications that can help low-income communities improve their lives in a variety of other ways. Whether it's through tools that help with education, healthcare, or something else entirely, I believe that there is endless potential to use technology to make a positive impact in the world. I resonate with this goal because finding a tool like this in my language when I first moved to the United States would have been extremely useful. It would have helped me to understand the systems and structures giving me the tools I needed to succeed. I believe that by creating similar resources for other low-income communities, I can help others to achieve their goals and dreams as well.

As someone who grew up in a low-income community, I know firsthand the challenges and barriers that can prevent young people from accessing new experiences and opportunities. That's why I am so proud of the work I have done to provide free tennis lessons to low-income kids in my community. Tennis has always been a passion of mine. I started playing when I moved to the U.S. but since my family couldn't afford tennis lessons me and my brother became each other's coaches. We learned through hours of training and youtube videos. It was a long journey but I would trade it for anything. I learned that with determination and hard work I can achieve what I set my eyes on. I quickly realized that not every low-income kid had an amazing brother to share this difficult journey with so I decided to use my knowledge and love of the game to introduce this amazing sport to kids. I began by reaching out to local schools and community centers, offering my services as a tennis coach. I was thrilled when I received a positive response and was able to start teaching free tennis lessons to kids who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to learn the sport. The experience has been incredibly rewarding for me, both personally and professionally. It has been amazing to see the kids grow and improve over time, and to witness firsthand the positive impact that sports can have on their lives. But my work in the community doesn't stop there. I am also deeply committed to using my education to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. That's why I am excited to continue my studies and expand my knowledge of various topics, especially those related to science, technology, engineering, and math. I believe that technology and STEM fields offer endless opportunities for young people, and I am determined to use my education to introduce low-income kids to the amazing world of technology and all the opportunities it has to offer. Right now I am a sophomore studying computer science and I am amazed by the number of opportunities the world of STEM has to offer. I am excited to further my education and gain the tools to share all my knowledge with the next generation. I hope to help them find their passion and open door to life-changing opportunities for them and their families.

Green Earth Tennis is a non-profit organization that was founded by myself and my brother me to promote the sport of tennis and support the environment. As avid tennis players ourselves, we saw an opportunity to combine our love for the game with our commitment to sustainability and create something truly meaningful. Through our local tennis tournaments, we bring together players of all ages who share a passion for the game. These tournaments provide a platform for people to connect and bond over their love for tennis, and also allow them to improve their skills and compete against others in a fun and friendly atmosphere. One of the key ways we support the environment is through the sponsorships we receive for our tournaments. All of the profits from these sponsorships go towards environmental causes, such as supporting renewable energy initiatives or protecting natural habitats. We believe that by combining our love for tennis with a commitment to sustainability, we can make a positive impact on the world. Our ultimate goal is to expand Green Earth Tennis to a bigger scale and reach even more people with our message. We envision hosting tournaments in cities across the country and bringing together thousands of players who are dedicated to both their sport and the environment. We also hope to use our platform to educate others about the importance of sustainability and the role it can play in protecting the planet. To achieve this goal, we are constantly seeking out new sponsors and partnerships that share our values. We work closely with companies and organizations that are committed to sustainability and the environment, and we are always looking for ways to collaborate and make a bigger impact. In addition to expanding our reach, we also want to continue to innovate and find new ways to support the environment through our tournaments. Whether it's through the use of eco-friendly materials or partnering with organizations that share our values, we are always looking for ways to make a positive impact. Ultimately, our goal is to make Green Earth Tennis a household name and a leader in the world of sustainability and tennis. We believe that by bringing these two passions together, we can make a real difference in the world and inspire others to do the same. Through our local tournaments, sponsorships, and partnerships, we are working to promote tennis and the environment in a way that is meaningful and impactful. We are committed to making Green Earth Tennis a success and we hope to continue to grow and make a positive impact for years to come.

Volunteering has had a profound impact on my life. It has opened my eyes to the ways in which we as a society can come together to make the world a better place and help those in need. Before I began volunteering, I had a narrow view of the world and the problems that people faced. I thought that my own problems were the most important and that I had little to offer others. However, as I began to volunteer my time and resources, I realized that there were so many people out there who needed help and support. I was able to use my skills and talents to make a difference in the lives of others, and this gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had never experienced before. One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering has been the opportunity to work with children. I have always loved being around kids and have always wanted to make a positive impact on their lives. When I began volunteering at a local after-school program, I was able to do just that. I was able to help the children with their homework, listen to their stories, and offer them support and guidance as they navigated through their early years. It was incredibly rewarding to see the children grow and thrive under my care, and it made me realize just how important it is for all of us to give back to our communities. Another reason why volunteering has been so impactful in my life is that it has allowed me to develop new skills and knowledge. I have always been interested in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), but I never had the opportunity to explore these subjects in depth. However, through my volunteer work, I was able to learn more about these subjects and even teach others about them. This has not only helped me to grow as a person, but it has also given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and goals. As a first-generation college student, I am constantly struggling to balance my studies with my financial responsibilities. That is why I am so grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. It would not only help me to finish college, but it would also allow me to save money so that I can eventually start my foundation to introduce low-income kids to STEM. This is a dream that has been close to my heart for many years, and I believe that it is an important step toward making the world a better place for everyone.

I am proud to say that I am a college student in the U.S. This is something I never thought would become a reality but thorough hard work and determination I achieved my goal. As a student coming from a Mexican immigrant family, I have had the opportunity to learn and grow in so many ways besides my education. My family has always been a source of inspiration and motivation for me, and their sacrifices and hard work have taught me the value of education and the importance of using it to make a positive impact on the world. Growing up, I always felt a strong connection to my community and a desire to give back. I saw firsthand the challenges that my family and many others in our community faced, and I knew that I wanted to use my education to make a difference. In college, I have had the opportunity to get involved in various organizations and campaigns that focus on social justice and improving the lives of those around me. One of the most meaningful experiences I have had in college was becoming a leader in a student group that focused on supporting and empowering students from underrepresented backgrounds. In this role, I learned how to be a good leader by giving everyone a voice and making sure that everyone felt safe and included. I also learned how to listen to others and understand their perspectives, which has helped me to be a more empathetic and understanding person. Through my experiences in college, I have learned that education is a powerful tool for change and that it gives us the tools to make a positive impact on the world. I have also learned that there are so many other students who, like me, come from immigrant families and face unique challenges and struggles. I have come to realize that it is important to be there for one another and to support each other to achieve our goals and dreams. I look to the future, I am excited to continue using my education to make a positive impact on the world. I hope to use my skills and knowledge to give back to my community and to be a voice for those who may not have one. I believe that by working together and supporting one another, we can create a better future for ourselves and for those around us. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in college and am excited to continue using my education to make a difference.

When I was 8 years old I was terrified of dogs. Just knowing there was a dog in the same house as me made me feel uncontrollable and forced my family to leave. When my parents got the opportunity to adopt a dog they didn't hesitate. They saw it as a chance to help me get over my fear and add a new member to our family. At the beginning it was difficult for me to get along with our new dog "Preciosa". She was 3 months old but I was still afraid. The first nights with her were difficult. She cried the whole night and refused to eat. After a week of trying everything we decided to let her sleep at our beds. Everyone went to sleep and we left her in the living room so she could choose which bed she wanted. To everyone's surprise she choose me. Of course I didn't want her sleeping with me but my mom insisted. She told me that Preciosa was afraid just like me and we had to help each other. From that day we became very close. She was always happy to see me and went with me everywhere. Of course my fear of dogs disappeared and now I can't image my life without Preciosa. She taught me the importance of confronting my fears. If it weren't by her I would still be afraid of dogs and I would had missed years of happiness with her. Now I don't let my fears control me. I enjoy trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone. My life is better than ever. Now that I am in college everything is new but I am not afraid to try new things because I don't want to miss amazing opportunities like I did in the past.

I can confidently say my brother is the most important person in my life. He is my source of energy. Every time I need help he is there for me. He always takes care of my and brings out the best version of me. There is no one in this world I could trust more than him and I don't know how I could live without him. As a result watching Hiro Hamada from Big Hero 6 lose his brother in a tragic accident made me feel connected with him. Not only do we look alike (according to my parents) we also love robots, science, and most important our brothers. Watching Hiro trying to honor the memory of his brother broke my heart and even though I enjoyed the movie I kept thinking how lucky I was to have my brother in my life. I didn't want to wait for a tragedy to happen to show him how much I love him and what he means to me. That day I decided to make him proud. I started working harder than ever in school, I learned how to code, joined clubs, and eventually made it into my dream college, something me and my family had never considered as an option. Now I am in college and I am still trying to make my brother proud every day. I know replicating BayMax is going to be difficult but every achievement I get is dedicated to my brother. I am trying to use my programming skills to help others and create a positive change in this world. Just like my brother has made in my life.

Merriam-webster defines achievement as “the act of achieving something”. When reading this definition the first thing that comes to mind are awards, honors, certificates, or degrees. Which I have, but for me, my biggest achievement had been completing a 3 second dance. The date is May 24th, 2021. I am about to graduate from high school and finish a chapter in my life full of regrets and missed opportunities. For four years I allowed my insecurities and fear of being judged to take control of my actions and it cost me greatly. I had always been a shy kid but after moving to the U.S. my insecurities skyrocketed. I couldn’t speak English and had trouble opening up at school. Heading into my junior year I was determined to change. I made some progress by joining clubs and finally making some friends but then COVID forced schools to migrate to virtual classes. I felt powerless just staring at my computer, not able to speak. Suddenly my junior and senior year were over. I felt like a failure but I knew I had one last chance to get out of my comfort zone and put away all my fears: my graduation. I had planned to do a small dance after receiving my diploma but I knew it was going to be the biggest challenge of my life. My last name is Pombo so I had time to see half my classmates get their diplomas and only five students waved at their family. Suddenly it was my turn, as I walked towards my principal my hands felt numb and I forgot where I was. For a minute I was transported to a dark room where I watched a compilation of all the times I allowed fear to control me. As I watched I kept getting mad at myself. How could I be ashamed of myself? How could I be scared of saying what I think? I returned to reality and I was shaking my principal's hand, I saw myself in the jumbotron and heard my mom’s Mexican scream at a distance. In that moment I felt all my fears pushing my hands and feet down but for the first time I fought back and started dancing. I felt relieved. For the first time I was true to myself and enjoyed the moment. After the ceremony a lot of people came up to me and praised my dance. I realized how silly my mindset had been. Life is too short to be scared and if someone doesn’t like who I am it’s fine. As long as I am true to myself I can be proud and speak up to make a change in the world. It has been one year since I danced at my graduation and I am so glad I did it. That moment gave me the confidence to open up and enjoy college. In just one year I made more friends and had more fun than in four years of high school. I got the confidence to try new things and I even joined leadership organizations to improve my communication skills while helping other students. Now I am happier than ever. I am ready to take on new challenges to grow as a person and a leader.

Whenever I'm having a bad day I like to close my eyes and visit my "happy place" to find inner peace and remember hardship is temporary. In my happy place the weather is perfect. The sky is a little cloudy and the temperature is 73 degrees. I am playing tennis with my brother, we are tied in a sudden death game. I look to my left and my dad is sitting drinking coffee watching us with a big smile. At that moment my mom walks into the court with my dog who runs towards me. Surprisingly my brother decides to end the game in a tie and convinces my parents to play tennis with us. My mom and I are playing against my brother and my dad. They are terrible players but we are having the time of our lives. I started playing tennis 4 years ago when I moved to the US with a racket my uncle gave me. At that time my family was living with him and his family and even though we love them it was a difficult situation. Due to unexpected circumstances we ended up living with them for 6 months instead of 2 weeks. It was a tricky situation and we hated being at "home" so every day we went to the local Junior High to play tennis. It was our only way to escape our reality and have some fun. To me tennis is more than a sport. It is a way to connect with my family and understand how simple happiness is. Eventually me and my brother became better players and we joined the high school team. There I met some of my closest friends and was able to win district tournaments. Playing tennis has taught me patience, respect, and how to trust myself. I'm so glad I started playing tennis. It is a fun and healthy sport that anyone can play. It brings people together and in some cases provides a glimpse of hope for people who struggle finding their place in the world.

When I started taking swimming lessons in Mexico, my parents bought me a big, red backpack. My family had money and we were happy, but that time didn’t last long. We had several years where money was inconsistent, and when my mom got offered a job in the U.S. she accepted without hesitation. We moved, leaving all our friends and family behind. We were not able to afford extra luggage, so I had to pack all my personal items in my red backpack. When I finished I could barely carry my 10-kilogram bag, but I had to be strong, otherwise I would need to leave things behind. At the airport, my shoulders were killing me, but my mom said I needed to persist and act like it was not heavy, so I did. We finally made it to my uncle's house where we would live for some time and I was relieved. I vividly remember getting all my stuff and putting the red bag in a dark closet. I thought that was the end of it, but it wasn’t. When we got our own apartment, we had economic problems. The money was very tight, barely allowing us to pay the rent and eat. One of our biggest problems was not having a car; having lived in Mexico City, we were used to public transport, but in the suburbs the only way to move was using a car, which we couldn’t afford. We only had two bikes, so I had to go with my mom every Sunday under the draining Texas sun to buy groceries and, of course, to carry them back I used my red backpack. Every time I was sweating on the way home, I remembered the moment I was at the airport, full of hope, dreaming of a better life; but as sweat covered every part of my body, I hated my life. I felt ashamed of using the same backpack for school and to carry my groceries, ashamed of my clothes and ashamed of my family. At school I had many problems. I had always been the smart kid of my class in Mexico, but not speaking English was a huge stepback that not only affected my grades, but also my confidence. I spent my freshman year completely alone with mediocre grades. Time was flying and I felt like I was in an infinite loop: Monday-Friday school, Sunday-stay home, Sunday- groceries, repeat. It wasn’t until my father got arrested for stealing food at Walmart that I realized my family needed me, and I had grown distant. I tried to get a job but my visa didn’t allow me to work, so I poured myself into studying. I took the hardest classes my school provided. I didn’t know what the future held for me—if I was going to college, or if we were moving back to Mexico—but I was determined to push myself to the limit. I helped my mom in all I could, joined clubs at school, learned to solve the Rubik’s cube faster by coming up with new solutions, and learned to code. Coding became my favorite activity and curiosity filled my mind. I wanted to learn all about computers, how they worked, and how to create applications that could be beneficial for society. Suddenly, my junior year arrived and my red backpack was extremely heavy again; this time it was full of college-level books for all the classes that I took. But this time, my emotions were different. To this day I still use my red backpack six days a week, but the pain I feel every time I carry it doesn’t make me sad anymore. Instead, it motivates me to study and learn the most I can, make my parents proud, and hopefully build a foundation so I can one day work at a tech company and make a difference in the world. I know my hard work will pay off, and even though I still hate my red backpack, I will never throw it away because it reminds me of a phase in my life that I should never forget. It motivates me to work hard to create positive things that will help people in the future.

August 12, 2017, 12:50 pm, Katy Texas. A date that I will never forget. It was the day me and my family got our first apartment in the U.S. and at 12:50 I decided to take a walk. For the first time in my life I felt excited about my future, I saw a world of possibilities and I decided to take a screenshot of the date and time so I could look back to that day and see everything I have achieved, but unfortunately my path to success had many obstacles. At the time my family had serious economic problems. The money was very tight, barely allowing us to pay the rent and eat. One of our biggest problems was not having a car; having lived in Mexico City, we were used to public transport, but in the suburbs, the only way to move was using a car, which we couldn’t afford. We only had two bikes, so I had to go with my mom every Sunday under the draining Texas sun to buy groceries. Every time I was sweating on the way home, I remembered the day we got our apartment and I was full of hope, dreaming of a better life; but as sweat covered every part of my body, I hated my life. I felt ashamed of using a backpack to carry my groceries, ashamed of my clothes, and ashamed of my family. At school, I had many problems. I had always been the smart kid of the class in Mexico, but not speaking English was a huge step back that not only affected my grades, but also my confidence. I spent my freshman year completely alone with mediocre grades. Time was flying and I felt like I was in an infinite loop: Monday-Friday school, Saturday-stay home, Sunday- groceries, repeat. It wasn’t until my father got arrested for stealing food at Walmart that I realized my family needed me, and I had grown distant. I tried to get a job but my visa didn’t allow me to work, so I poured myself into studying. I took the hardest classes my school offered, joined clubs at school, learned to solve the Rubik’s cube and learned to code. Coding became my favorite activity and curiosity filled my mind. I wanted to learn all about computers, how they worked, and how to create applications. For the first time in years I felt excited and I knew I wanted to study in the STEM field because it would allow me to understand the world we live in and I could use my knowledge in the future to help millions of people. I have many dreams which slowly are becoming goals. I know it will take a lot of work but I found my calling, I love what I’m doing and I will work harder than anyone to achieve them. My parents have always been supportive, they gave up everything they had to give me a better life and I look forward to the day I can tell them “We did it”.

On August 31, at 9:00 pm my parents dropped me off at college. I was terrified, not knowing anyone and full of uncertainty, and in less than 10 hours my whole world crumbled. 2 hours after my parents left a pipe broke in their business and it flooded. Everything was ruined, my family had lost all sources of income and 4 hours later I received a $10,000 bill from my school, at that moment I just run out of my room and cried for 2 hours straight, it was one of the darkest moments of my life and it led to one of the worsts weeks of my life. As I look back to that time 3 months later I realize how bad my mental and physical health was, I struggled to get to class every day and didn't sleep at all, thankfully I decided to talk to my school counselor talked about the importance of self-care and made me realize how much I was letting myself down, so I decided to start taking care of myself because at the end of the day I need to be as healthy as possible to go through life and face the many challenges that come with it. For the last month, I have been following a morning routine that has changed my life: I wake up at 7:00 am, then I eat a small breakfast and go out for a run, then I take a shower, eat my breakfast, read a chapter of a self-care book and call my parents for 10 minutes. Additionally, I try to sleep at 10:00 pm every day and eat all my meals on schedule. These changes have allowed me to enjoy my college experience, make friends, enjoy my classes and be happy with who I am.

During my junior year of high school my school offered a cybersecurity class in another campus, many people were hesitant to attend because it would mean missing out on many school activities and spending half your day in another campus but me, never owning a computer in my life or knowing how they worked, took a chance and registered for the class and it was the best decision of my life. During this year I learned the basics of cybersecurity and programming, my teacher showed me the power of computers and how I could create amazing things. When my school got closed due to covid I spent all my free time researching new programming languages and learning programming online. Now that I am in college I have meet a lot of people who share my passion for computer science, spending time with them and sharing my ideas has opened my eyes to new possibilities on this field. In the future I want to create my own company and work alongside other computer scientist so we can share ideas and shape the world together. In the meantime I want to learn more about cybersecurity and software and make them the foundation of my company because as the world becomes more dependent on computers cybersecurity will become a crucial need for every internet user. I feel I'm the best candidate for receiving this scholarship because I got into this field at a late age. When I was learning the basics of computers some of my classmates where learning how to code, this motivated me to work very hard and spend a lot of time learning on my own and so far I still love learning new things and never get tired of coding. I want to not only create a successful company in the future but also help others in the process and allow underprivileged kids to get access to computers and technology at a young age so they can experience a whole new world.

My AP World History teacher was the person that inspired me to continue my education. After my freshman year of high school I wanted to take an AP class but my current history class told me I shouldn't take it because it was too hard for me; when I talked to my counselor she said the same thing but they couldn't stop me so I went ahead a enrolled in the class. As I expected the class was extremely hard the first couple of weeks and just before I dropped my teacher came up to me and asked me to come to her room after school. As I was approaching her room I already knew what she was going to say, the same thing my counselor and old history teacher said: "I think this class is too hard for you" but I was very surprised when she sat with me and went over all my notes and quizzes pointing out not only my mistakes but also the ways I could improve. She told me that she saw potential in me but I had to work harder and smarter. My grades improved a lot over the following weeks and when the time of the AP exam came she told me that she believed in me, this motivated me to study even harder and I got a 4 on the exam, it was one of the proudest moments of my life and it was all thanks to her. She thought me that nothing is impossible and if you work hard you can achieve all your goals. From that day on I promised myself I would be the first person in my family to attend college and I would work as hard as I needed to achieve my goal and even though the path was hard at times I believe going to college will allow me to create a positive change in the world.

Today I stepped on an ant while going to class and I didn't feel bad because it was "just an ant" but then I started to wonder: what makes us different from the ant I just killed? Life is short and for most people it is filled with obstacles which are hard to overcome but at the end of the day the result is the same for everyone. It doesn't matter what kind of life you had we are all going to die and the only thing we leave behind is our legacy. Our legacy might define the future of our kids and grandkids, it is the way the world will remember who we were. Some people might argue that legacies are not important because you are already death and you won't suffer the consequences of your actions anymore, but I beg to differ. Leaving a good legacy is the only selfless act that exists, you won't get to experience the benefits but making a positive change in your community, family and/or environment is what life is all about. Ever since I was a kid my parents always thought me the importance of helping others and how life is more than having money and good times. They have been amazing role models and one day I want to be like them. My mom is a teacher who works extremely hard to give their students the best education she can even though she is not compensated as she deserved, when I asked her why she works so hard for an institution that didn't gave her the respect she deserved she told me: "I don't work for the school, I work for my students and I will work as hard as I can to give them the education they deserve" in that moment I realize how amazing my mom was, she had a selfless purpose in life and her legacy was going to be each and everyone of her students. Now that I am in college I want to create a change in the world, I am studying engineering in order to understand the world we have created and how it can be improved. My goal is to find new solutions to problems affecting millions of people around the world and create a long lasting change. Currently I have some ideas that I can't execute but as I keep learning and growing I try to make small changes everyday with my family, friends and people I meet at school because every effort made , no matter how small, makes the world a better place.