I saw the description for this scholarship that John Woolley loved tennis, photography, nature, and computer science, and I (very loudly) exclaimed, "THAT'S ME!" to my roomate and our cat, Lady. As you could probably tell from my enthusiasm, I am someone who feels everything deeply and, perhaps, a little too loudly. My fiance is always reminding me that this isn't a bad thing, and that I should not hide my passion for things that others may find trivial. In fact, when I graduated high school, one of my friends that was in the grade below me wrote me a card and told me that I was 'sunshine personified.' To this day, that was the most heartfelt thing anyone has every told me, and I will always remember that her words made me feel (and still do) how one small smile or laugh could affect someone's day and make them smile back. They are contagious after all. My fiance told me once that before he met me, he wore colors like gray, white, and black. Fast forward, the most prevelant color in his closet is now blue, green, and orange, and he said it was me that brightened his world...literally. I never want to take for granted that I do not live my life quietly and I believe others should shine as bright as they can. In high school, one of my friends wore an outfit that he loved, but other people had poked fun at it. All I did one day was say that he looked great, and he told me the next week how he was still thinking about what I said and that it changed his whole perspective. It doesn't take much to change someone's attitude, and it certainly doesn't take anything at all to smile and say hello to a stranger. So I guess that is who I am and what I believe makes me unique. I want to encourage others to be their best selves and shine as brightly as they can. That is why I would use the scholarship funds to assist me in completing my degrees at UPJ. I want to be able to one day work remotely in a technology field and spend my days at the library or coffee shop or in the park. This way, while I am working, I can offer smiles to those around me. I could buy a stranger a coffee after I have a long work meeting to cheer both of us up, and listen to the birds and feel the sun on my face while I write out a work email. I do not want to live in debt, and this scholarship could help alleviate that worry for me so that I can live in the present and focus on making myself and those around me live to their full potential.

My grandfather lives life in slow motion. He has Parkinson's disease and it is part of the reason I chose to pursue computer science. In a society where technology only seems to be moving forward, I know that computer science will give me the opportunity to help my grandfather and those like him. I have been able to see the decline in his health and what he must go through and, in response, I have also observed ways that I can help. In another way, choosing computer science will allow me to work from home to spend more time with my grandfather to take care of him and keep him safe. I understand the difficulty of watching a loved one's illnesses overcome them and have seen the effect it has on those around them. I want to be able to create apps to moniter medicine schedules, to program smart home devices to assist elderly people with daily tasks, and I want to build user interfaces that are simple and easy to understand, especially for those that have not grown up with technology as I have. Taking care of my grandfather and seeing my other family members do the same has taught me not to take anything for granted and to use my talent in math and computer science to assist them. I know that not everyone has the opportunity to learn, and I want to use that privelage to help everyone that I can. I want to be able to make the lives of other caregivers easier and to show my grandfather how much he means to me by helping him with his daily life. To give an example, my grandfather has trouble securing his seatbelt in the car becuase of his tremors and limited arm movement. My boyfriend and I worked together to design a device that can hook onto the seatbelt with a handle so he has more leverage to pull the belt over his lap and get a hold of the fastener. It was a very rewarding experience to see how grateful he was to be able to perform such a mundane task on his own again. He was grateful for the attention we showed to his needs and I was grateful for how happy and uplifted he was. It took maybe an hour to design and 3D print this device, and it will allow my grandfather to feel better about his ability and offer him confidence. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I have been give in order to help my grandfather, and I hope that one day I can help many others like him with everyday tasks.

I decided to study computer science after I visited the Moonshot Museum in Pittsburgh where I learned about how robots were being built to start new voyages to the Moon and Mars. While on this trip, I was given the opportunity to talk with one of the software engineers who was working on one of these projects. After the conversation we had, I immediately knew that I wanted to be able to program robots like those going to the moon. As I got older, I realized that computer science was not only an amazing career choice because of the opportunity and growing industry, but also because of the flexible schedule that comes with a career in technology. Part of the reason I chose computer science was because of the ability to work remotely as one day I hope to be a stay-at-home mom for my family. My mom stayed at home with my siblings and me while I was young and I have always admired the dedication and sacrifices that she made to be fully present for my brother, sister, and me. Computer science would allow me to work on some new and exciting projects and also allow me to make time for my family and stay at home with my kids one day. In addition, I want to create technology and software that is accessible to all types of people, particularly the elderly and people with health issues. My grandfather has Parkinson's Disease, and I have seen firsthand some of the struggles that come with this illness as well as age. I want to create new programs and software that are easily accessed and understood by those who have trouble keeping up with the changing technology of our society. I have witnessed how hopeless my grandfather feels when he cannot figure out how to change the channel on his TV, and I want to help create new and accessible features to help my grandfather, and those like him. I feel that I am the best candidate for this scholarship because I am looking to pursue my life alongside my career. My biggest goal for my life is to put my family and my relationships first with a career following closely behind. If I won this scholarship it would reflect my passion for learning computer science to help the world around me, as well as exemplify my goals of being there for my family to live my life to the fullest.

I have begun my dual study of computer science and mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown this year, and I am already feeling very motivated and inspired to learn as much as possible during my time here on campus. I chose computer science after I visited the Moonshot Museum in Pittsburgh during a field trip in high school. I was given the opportunity to see the equipment and lab that was being used to build a lunar lander. I was able to meet with one of the software engineers who had been working on the code for the lander, and I was so inspired to pursue a possible career in astrophysics. Especially with a growing industry in Pittsburgh, I could have access to learn and the opportunity to grow so close to my hometown. I realized that I was excited by the idea of coding a piece of machinery that could effectively travel anywhere in space. I knew that space was something that I wanted to pursue. When I graduated high school, I received a scholarship called the Deaner family scholarship which was made specifically for someone pursuing a degree in business or computer science. My dad connected with Mr. Bryan Deaner, who was the sponsor of the scholarship, and thanked him for his contribution to my education. The response my dad got blew me away as I learned that Bryan Deaner had worked with Intel to create a drone display for the Super Bowl halftime show and he had taken the time to encourage me in my dreams. The idea that I could contribute to the programming of something so large scale like drones or lunar landings became a new passion of mine. I wanted to be able to get to the point in my life where I could inspire others to pursue space and computer science in the same way that I had been inspired by Mr. Deaner and the software engineer from the Moonshot Museum. I want to influence young women especially, to pursue STEM majors to become female role models in the space and computer science industries. We have technology that has the power to learn so many new things about the universe around us, and I want to be included in the discovery of such an amazing phenomenon. In ten years, I hope to be in a career that allows me to be a pioneer in space exploration as a programmer who works on robots that go to the moon and Mars. I realize that this is very ambitious and if I never get to that point, I want to learn as much as I can anyway, to be able to constantly improve myself. I want to learn as much as I can about the universe around us while being a positive role model for those around me.

If you walked into Oberg Industries and asked for Eric Edder, you would meet a dark haired, middle-aged, gentleman with a small beard and a polo shirt tucked into khaki pants or jeans. He would greet you with a handshake and a lengthy conversation. If you walked up to a modest house on High Street in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, you would be welcomed into a small kitchen (smelling of a candle or some spice topped dish in the oven) by the same man in the same way, except maybe he would be wearing cargo shorts this time. As this man's daughter, I have long grown accustomed to his mannerisms and way of acting. I know his favorite dessert and that he hates popsicle sticks because they remind him of when he played the clarinet in high school. I know that he is a morning person and that he loves to cook breakfast for my family on Sunday morning after Church. My dad always has a reference to an old TV show or movie that my brother, sister, and I have never heard of, and he hates to sleep with his socks on. When I sat at the kitchen counter crying because sixth grade math was too hard, he sat with me and played a card game to give me a break and then helped me to get the work done when I was calmed down. One time he worked more than a 24-hour day so others could relax, and he received nothing for the extra work he had done. He is constantly trying to help others even when it isn't convenient for himself. While the extra work he does goes unnoticed by others, I see what the word kindness really means. When I was little, he would sit on my bed with me until I fell asleep because I was afraid of Star Wars. He used his finger to "draw" my dreams on my forehead so I would fall asleep thinking of my family instead of spiders and monsters. He constantly teaches me about being caring and someone that others will remember. He teaches me what it is like for a man to love a woman, the way that he loves my mom. He rubs her back and stays up to watch Hallmark movies with her (I think he secretly likes them). He always buys her too many expensive gifts and gets her flowers when she has a tough day. While he teaches me about love, he teaches me to laugh as well. He sends me memes at school so I can laugh after my calculus tests, and he tells me corny jokes when I am crying about a boy. When you meet him, you wouldn’t think much of it. One of many people that you would meet within the year, but most people don't see the man he really is. While most people talk about how their dad taught them how to change a tire, I can say he taught me what it means to be a parent. He taught me how to treat others and to also take time to do what I love. He constantly encourages me to pursue my dreams and helps me along the way. He may not be the stereotypical "macho" man, but he has taught me so much more than I could ever have asked for.

A couple of years ago my parents signed me up for a student loan education class through a church program. To say the least, I did not want to go because I thought it would be tedious and annoying. When I walked into the room, I realized that the only people who had shown up were my family and the parents of a girl I had gone to school with, the girl seemingly absent from the group. When I walked out of the room, I had an entirely different perspective about student loans and I knew that I was going to do whatever work it took to make sure I did not have to fall into debt. During the class, they showed a documentary about how student loans have negatively impacted the lives of people who would be considered very successful if it had not been for the overwhelming amount of debt they had obtained because of college expenses. I realized then that I would not be able to live a fulfilling life or build a successful career if I had the impact of student loans constantly sitting on the back burner. I want to find success as a woman in STEM and build a flexible career where I can work from home and take care of my family while I engineer software and program applications. This scholarship will help me fund my education without the deadlock curse of student debt so I can build a comfortable life with a stable income. One of my most deeply rooted goals is to be able to support a family while also spending as much time with them. I want to finish my education as a computer science major and find a career where I can work from home to be able to dedicate as much time as I can to my future children. To accomplish this goal, I have to be able to support myself to grow a career that would allow me to grab a hold of this lifestyle. In the documentary that they showed at the financing class, there was a couple that was interviewed who had wanted to have a family but could not possibly imagine bringing children into their lives of student debt. Between the two of them, they had amounted to over $100,000 in student debt and they had sworn to disintegrate some of this debt before they brought children into this world. When I saw their story, I could not fathom the idea of waiting to have children just because of the insurmountable cost of post-secondary education. I never want to be prohibited from starting a family, provided the time is right, because I could not make a well enough income to overcome any student debt I would incur. This scholarship would have a large impact on my goal of completing my college education without the impact of student debt, ultimately leading me to be able to support a family when the time is right and I have a secure and reliable career.

I would like to take a moment to discuss one of the most unsung heroes of modern-day technology: the filtered water fountain. As peculiar as it may sound, this piece of technology has made clean water available for so many people around the world, especially in America. By making filtered water easily obtainable, more and more people have access to safe water sources that may not have been available to them otherwise. If an individual relies on a local water source alone, they could be made subject to water that has been contaminated by old pipes, polluted water runoff, and/or other harsh chemical exposure that happens in our technologically advanced world. By making filtered water fountains and filling stations available to the public, plastic water bottles would become significantly less relevant. This could aid in lessening an excess of plastic waste, but it could also cut costs for citizens who would spend money instead on store-bought water bottles. Water stations are also an important asset for people who prioritize work, school, or other tasks and tend to forget about staying hydrated. As someone who tends to become dehydrated often for these reasons, water filling stations have been a huge convenience in my daily life. It makes filling my water bottle between classes so easy, allowing me to stay hydrated and focused throughout the day. Drinking water during the day is so important to reduce headaches, nausea, and other minor health issues that could become debilitating over time. As these filtered water sources become more prevalent in everyday life, people have convenient and local means to remember to drink clean water. Overall, these filtered water sources have helped the health and well-being of people around the world and allowed access to clean water that may not have been available otherwise. Seeing this impact of available and clean water sources only shines a positive light on the technology that we have today. If something as insignificant as a water fountain can positively impact someone’s life, I can only have high hopes for what ambitious technology could come next.

Last year, I wrote this essay about my father Eric Edder, who has always been and always will be one of the most influential and important people in my life. This year, however, I would like to talk about his best friend, a man who everyone knew to be a goofy, fun-loving, and wonderful person. Through our shared love of Jane Austin and Earl Gray tea, he always played a huge part in my life. Brian Kapustik, better known as “Kapoo'' passed away in December 2022, leaving behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten. He worked at an all-boys school teaching English and heading the drama program, celebrating his admiration for theater and encouraging young minds to try the arts. For years, I looked up to him as he unapologetically showed people how to have fun in their own way, whether that be through role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, exploring new books, or enjoying a new movie. I saw this especially as he made my father laugh after an especially stressful day at work. Kapoo always made the best out of every situation and he encouraged others to do the same. He had always held a special place in my heart because of how happy he made my dad, but I also felt I had a certain connection with him. When I was little I only drank Earl Gray tea, which just happened to be the tea that Kapoo drank as well. Little did I know how meaningful such a small detail as calling him my tea buddy would mean to me. At my graduation party this summer, Kapoo's wife, Chantel, arrived with a present for me. When I opened the gift, my parents and I were left in tears. Kapoo had stumbled upon a website before he passed away that merged tea and D&D. When Chantel was going through Kapoo's things after he died, she found the website and ordered some tea so I could have a gift from him even though he was no longer with us. I had never realized that Kapoo kept his tea buddy in the back of his mind and it made me feel so much love and regard for the man that always kept a smile on my family’s faces. He was the most thoughtful and considerate person that I have had the pleasure of knowing, and I am certain others feel the same. I saw this specifically at Kapoo’s memorial service. Everyone who knew him understood that he would not have wanted a traditional service, but rather a performance to commemorate his time in the school's theater where he worked…it also happened to be the place where he proposed and married his wife. During the performance, close friends of Kapoo were asked to perform something that honored him, a portion of a play or on-stage stories about how Kapoo had impacted their lives. By the end of the memorial, there was so much love running through the room, and I realized that Kapoo would always be there encouraging my family and me as he always had. I see now, every time I open a new book or play a board game that Kapoor had influenced me in a way that I will never forget and I am so grateful I had as much time with him as I did. Everyone who knew Kapoo knows how wonderful and angelic this man was, and while he had never had biological children, he was the father of so many of his students and a role model for many others, myself included.

Ever since I was little I was always very efficient when it came to mathematics. When I was in preschool, my teacher told my mom that I would be good at geometry because I could do jigsaw puzzles in a very short amount of time. I didn't understand why others around me didn't know how to complete the puzzles so quickly because it all just fit together in my mind. I was able to put the pieces in their place before I had most of the puzzle finished. The reason math is so attractive to me is that it all just fits into place as the jigsaw puzzles did. I can look at the concept and understand what I need to do in order to apply it to the problem. Math has always been something that I need to practice just because of how many ways it can be applied, but that is exactly why it is so exciting. If it wasn't difficult then everyone would be aerospace engineers and there would be no challenge and diversity in the careers that students choose. Not only does math offer a challenging perspective on education and occupations, but it is also a skill requiring patience and persistence. If one does not truly yearn to become good at math, they will likely stay inside their comfort zone and forever stick to what they are good at. If no one tried to learn more and more challenging subjects in mathematics then everyone would become authors and future studies would be based on theory rather than execution and action. Mathematics has become such an important aspect of the society in which we live that without it, there would be a lack of understanding in all categories of life. It explains how machines works, aids in the discovery of the universe, and can allow access to the smallest details of the height and weight of a newborn baby. The world completely revolves around mathematics and we would be lost without it. Sciences, like physics and chemistry, rely on subjects like conversions and logarithms to calculate mass and half-life. Math is crucial in the world in which we live not just because it makes it easier to understand basic concepts of society and provides easy ways to calculate simple sums, but also because it offers a deep understanding of how the world works not just by human standards but also how it physically moves and changes as time goes on.

A couple of years ago, I took a class through my church about personal finance and the importance of giving what you can to the less fortunate. Something that stuck with me from the class was the part about setting aside money for unprecedented issues. For instance, a flat tire or a medical bill. It is important to start saving money for car troubles and subjects of the sort now, so when I am older and I actually encounter these issues, I can take care of them quickly without causing myself extra stress. I think it is important to prepare early so if I have more pressing financial needs that I must use my paycheck for, I will have some money saved up already to pay for the unplanned inconveniences. I have seen an example of when this lesson could have been better applied when my parents found out we had to replace our sewer line. They did not know that it would need to be replaced, so they did not save the necessary funds to take care of it. Luckily, we were able to deal with it, but if they had put some money away just in case, they would not have had to deal with the extra stress of what we would do.

I read a book called the Killer Angels last year. The book was about the generals from both sides of the American Civil War to give perspective of many of the officers and their position during the battle of Gettysburg. Not only did I read a book about it, but I also traveled to Gettysburg this past summer. While I was reading and while I was exploring the battlefield, I felt attracted to one general in particular; General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. It was July 2nd, 1863. It was a hot day, late in the afternoon and the men knew a battle was upon them. General Chamberlain was in charge of holding the left flank for the Union Army. After lots of fighting, the regiment was out of ammunition and they needed to hold on just a few moments longer. That's when Chamberlain made the call for his men to pull out their bayonets and charge down the hill. Against all odds, this charge was successful and held the high ground for the Union Army. I admire General Chamberlain for his bravery and resourcefulness. His regiment was about to lose the most important position in the line, and he held it by taking the risk and having faith in his men. I stood where he and his men fought and I thought about what he must have been going through. To think what he and his men were feeling, to make such an order as to charge with bayonets was so brave and courageous, and I could never imagine what joy he must have felt after it was successful. I admire how brave he was and how he was able to overcome probably the biggest obstacle he had or ever would have faced and he did it with courage and triumph.