We can recall being that anime kid who was up to date on all the latest shows. For me, Blue Exorcist is the series that I can watch over and over again. I could see myself within Rin and strongly connected to his trials. Especially the Kyoto Arch, the struggles to find your place even with those you know. Even Rin self-doubt even when he does have the necessary power to succeed. The series cham extends past the main character onto the world-building. Although the story could easily turn into the heaven versus hell trope, it doesn’t. One of the reasons I can watch the show multiple times, there is no defined good or evil. I didn’t have many friends in school or even outside of school. I was the quiet kid in the corner. It’s not like I didn’t try to make friends, I did but never felt like I fit in. The friends groups had been together since PK so I felt like an outsider. This is where I can relate to Rin, especially with the Koto trio. Trying to find your place within an established friend group and the emotional fight that comes with it. Watching the flashbacks to Rin’s childhood will never get old to me as they tie his story up with a nice red bow. Beyond Rin, the supporting characters possess rich backstories that elevate them from mere archetypes to fully fleshed-out individuals. Their motivations often mirror real-life dilemmas, prompting viewers to reflect on their own choices in similar situations. The results are side character interactions that do not feel like a waste of time. The world doesn’t feel centered on the main characters allowing interesting scenes to expand on the world. The author's interpretation of hell and demons remains captivating, with each viewing revealing new nuances. While hell's existence is acknowledged, heaven is left ambiguous, adding to the series' intrigue. The depiction of the Gehenna Gate is both unsettling and mesmerizing, inviting viewers to ponder its implications. Then the demon kings themselves, who were born from human concepts instead of just being born evil. I see them as a reflection of humanity just as Gehenna is a reflection of Earth. The author's decision to leave certain aspects open to interpretation enhances the series' depth, allowing each viewer to derive their own meaning. This anime holds a special place in my heart now only with everything mentioned above, but also being one of my first animes. I was in that era of discovering what genes worked for me so I was willing to watch anything. Everyone's first animes are going to be something special to them. Even if the show is not necessarily good you can find yourself returning for a rewatch every now and then. That is how I feel about Blue Exorcist even though many would disagree with me on the quality. Blue Exorcist will always be that anime I could water again and again. Not only for the personal connections I have with the show but also for the world-building and characters.

My first time entering a college campus, my eyes were full of stars as I imagined myself doing everything possible. As for who I am, I’d describe myself as caring, respectful, and uniquely individualistic in a positive sense. The hardships I have faced shaped me and endowed me with these given traits. My insatiable curiosity and my inclination to be hands-on define a fundamental aspect of my being. From coding to painting and even building custom computers, my hobbies are diverse, all self-taught endeavors pursued out of a sheer desire to learn and create. In fact, I’ve turned one of my passions, sewing, into a successful business venture, selling my creations across the county. I aspire to work for Boeing, demonstrating to other black women that STEM is an achievable path for them as well. With Boeing being one of the largest aerospace companies in the world, working for Boeing would offer me the opportunity to be a part of groundbreaking projects. Boeing is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace giving research opportunities. I hope to conduct research within the space systems area for the purpose of planetary exploration. While my academic records reflect my capability to excel in undergraduate studies, financial constraints hinder my ability to pursue higher education. This scholarship represents a lifeline towards achieving my educational aspirations, particularly my goal of returning to school in the fall of 2024 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in science. Unfortunately, I had to take a year off of school to gain funds to return. I live in a single-parent household with fears over the news changes to FAFSA. We are left in the dark over how much aid we will be given, leaving a canyon of uncertainty. This scholarship would ease the financial strain on me and my family. Allowing most of my focus to strenuous school work. Having this focus is necessary for a STEM major to prepare for life outside of college. I used to live in an area packed with low-income housing, with no playgrounds but the streets for the kids. One day I noticed an open field no one was using and thought it would be a great place for a score field. I soon realized that the reason the field was empty was because it was a sea for beer bottles, singers, and any other means of nasty trash. I knew it was only a matter of time before someone was hurt by a careless driver flooring the gas pedal as they came around a corner. I waited for a nice day after school, grabbed trash bags and gloves, and set to work. It took me almost two weeks to get the area in decent shape and then it was time for phase two. After some looking around I was able to find two soccer goals for cheap and had them set up. Now even if the kids didn’t want to play soccer they had a place to hang out that wasn’t in harm's way. I was glad I would find a way to help my community while I was still in high school. Reflecting on the event made me realize I don’t need to have a lot of money or a huge team to be able to impact someone's life. It is the little things that are just waiting for someone to get the ball rolling. This is a life lesson that can be used in many situations, and I even find it in other community service projects.

Some would say I’m one of the most outgoing and unique individuals they have encountered. Part of what defines me is the array of challenges I’ve faced in various aspects of life. These challenges have not only shaped my character but, have also influenced my aspirations, particularly in the realm of education. In the upcoming fall semester, I’ll embark on a new journey to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, to study aerospace engineering. Since I was 8 the only family I had to care for me was my mother, even though my father is still alive he has never been an active part of my life, even when he was married to my mother. I’m the oldest of two sisters, I’ve shouldered responsibilities beyond my years, stepping in to assist my mother with tasks she couldn’t manage alone. Together, we’ve weathered many adversities from homelessness, racial discrimination, and the tragic loss of one of my siblings to suicide. Losing my sister was the hardest point in my life and I strive each day to honor her memory. Despite these trials, I draw strength from a solid work ethic, a sense of duty, and deep empathy. I believe my response to adversity is deeply rooted in the difficulties I faced. As my mother would say I took my responsibilities with “grace and no complaints”. Which has carried on to my day-to-day life given my strong will. I’m not one to crumple under pressure, finding solace in my ability to confront challenges head-on. I have seen the value of one's education firsthand, as it was my mother’s education that was able to drive us out of homelessness. Witnessing the transformative power of education in my own family has inspired me to strive for academic excellence and make the most of the educational opportunities available to me. While my academic records reflect my capability to excel in undergraduate studies, financial constraints hinder my ability to pursue higher education. This scholarship represents a lifeline towards achieving my educational aspirations, particularly my goal of returning to school in the fall of 2024 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in science. Living paycheck to paycheck due to the escalating costs of necessities like food and bills has become a stark reality for my family. Our lifestyle is far from extravagant and we do not spend outside of our means. Each month, we find ourselves grappling with tough decisions, often having to choose between paying the electricity bill or covering the car note. It's a constant balancing act, where every dollar is meticulously allocated to ensure the essentials are taken care of. Throughout my life, I have not waivered in my desire to achieve a higher education and I would even say some events have fortified this decision. With the support of this scholarship, I can lay the groundwork for my academic ambitions. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to apply for your scholarship.

Through 20 rotations around the sun, I have encountered joyous moments and challenges, all of which I have surmounted. I firmly believe that my personal experiences have strongly shaped my values in education and my passion. I grew up in a single-parent household but I did not lack mentors. These mentors have encouraged my passion for engineering even when I wanted to quit. I plan to use my education to increase the diversity within the STEM community. My mother has been a huge inspiration in shaping my aspirations. Since I was 8 the only family I had to care for me was my mother, even though my father is still alive he has never been an active part of my life, even when he was married to my mother. I’m the oldest of two sisters, so work that my mother couldn’t handle was passed on to me. We weathered many adversities from homelessness, racial discrimination, and the tragic loss of one of my siblings to suicide. Losing my sister was the hardest point in my life and I live every day to honor her memory. Despite these trials, I am fueled by a strong work ethic, a sense of duty, and empathy. “If what you do doesn’t make you smile, find what does,” is what my mother has said to me since I was a child. I strive to enter a career that can provide for and fulfill me. For me, not pursuing higher education was never an option, given my family's strong emphasis on the value of education. Aside from my values, I’m wholeheartedly passionate about all things STEM or more precisely engineering. In my last two years of high school, I was required to take a science class. I chose a physics class, where my love for engineering came from. This passion was ignited by a high school teacher whose impact I will forever cherish. Having completed my first year of college, I have gained valuable insights into navigating academic life successfully. As the oldest, I recognize the importance of setting a positive example for my sisters, which drives me to push my limits and resist the temptation of the easy path. Although I have faced adversities I have not let this hold me down and rise above it hoping to learn from every experience, positive or not. With this scholarship, I would place myself into the STEM community as a black woman increasing the diversity in the field. I come from a family of black people who have made historical legacies, which makes me feel obligated to do the same. I aspire to work for Boeing, demonstrating to other black women that STEM is an achievable path for them as well. With Boeing being one of the largest aerospace companies in the world, working for Boeing would offer me the opportunity to be a part of groundbreaking projects. Boeing is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerospace giving research opportunities. I hope to conduct research within the space systems area. In conclusion, I am deeply passionate about contributing to the STEM community through research and diversity initiatives. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident that I can realize my aspirations and make meaningful contributions toward shaping a more equitable, ethical, and technologically advanced society. Though I have faced many adversities I choose to see them as a positive, preparing me for what is to come with work effort, responsibility, and compassion. Thank you for considering my application.

My mother has been a huge inspiration to shaping my career goals. Since I was 8 the only family I had to care for me was my mother, even though my father is still alive he has never been an active part of my life, even when he was married to my mother. I’m the oldest of two sisters, so work that my mother couldn’t handle was passed on to me. We have faced many adversities from homelessness, little food, and the loss of one of my sisters to suicide. Though I struggle I gain a hard work effort and a deep understanding of responsibility. Once I graduate from undergrad I seek to enter an enter level job as a spacecrafts engineer. I was allowed to have a fair amount of independent studies and during this time I learned many topics but my top intersit were space and physics. Even after a year in college my desire grows in this field. Me and my family have faced many challenges throughout the years, such as living in a shelter, but the thing that helps us overcome them is my mother's education. Therefore we place strong value on education and this value has shaped my journey into college. During my time in college I hope to expand my professional network and gain internships for exp. During the fall semester I plan to join the women in engineering club on my campus. I also have plans to take a few summer classes to ketchup some credits and boost my gpa. Some challenges I face with this goal are financial because I have the motivation and work effort to make it to my goals. Before my mother had met my father she had the money to put both me and my sisters through college. However after meeting my father he would spend the whole saving on multiple vehicles and leave my mother with nothing. The plan after college is to work for a space program, for instance Boeing as well as teaching others in my community about my field. Part of my plan of reaching this goal is attending most if not all of my colleges career fairs. I wish to teach others in my community about engineering because the stem field is not used as an option for many in the black community. I believe the engineering field has many opportunities for those seeking a sustainable life. Although growing up in a single parent household came with many challenges it has shaped my future goals. Due to my mother's education we were able to overcome these challenges and this is why I place such a high value on education. During my time in college I hope to prepare for my career by building needed skills and connections. After college I have goals to work with a space program as well as teaching my community about the field of engineering.