Throughout my years as a student, I have only grown more fond of learning. Back when I was three years old, I solved my first jigsaw puzzle, and that is the earliest memory of something piquing my curiosity. As time passed, paired with immigration from Mexico to the US at eight years old, I started learning about many subjects, including mathematics, biology, chemistry, English, and history. However, I always loved learning mathematics the most out of any other school subject. For instance, taking classes such as AP Calculus BC in high school and Calculus 1 and 3 in college strengthened my love of mathematics. Learning is wonderful in that it is not just reaping the rewards of success. One could argue that the growth that comes from failure is often more beneficial than succeeding without much struggle. For example, I often struggled to understand certain concepts in my mechanics physics class this semester, and this caused me to fail my third exam despite having done well on the first two. After this, I felt upset due to my inconsistency and inability to perform well, yet I did not let this overwhelm me or cause me to dislike the subject. I used this very failure to push me to learn the material better and to better prepare for the comprehensive exam that was only a week and a half after the exam I failed. Over the week, I reflected on and reviewed my mistakes from the first three exams, took practice comprehensive exams, and analyzed how and when to apply certain concepts and formulas. From my experience, I discovered how incredibly powerful having a love of learning is. My failure did not cause me to spiral into hopelessness but instead fueled my desire to better understand the content of the course. As I took more practice exams and reviewed my mistakes, I became fascinated with understanding the methods used to solve the problems I had missed. When I went into the comprehensive exam room, I remember feeling hopeful, knowing that the effort I had put in would not be in vain. I ended up getting a 94 on the comprehensive exam, a grade that was higher than even the first exam, which was usually called the “easiest” of the four. Furthermore, the comprehensive exam replaced the lowest midterm exam grade, meaning that my efforts yielded not one, but two 94s. Lastly, the experience of learning from my mistakes changed the way I thought about things, and I hope to apply this resilient mentality to my future academic and professional endeavors. For instance, I am aiming to get a Masters in pure mathematics with a teaching emphasis in 5 years, and I know it will be a rigorous journey. However, I know that my love for learning, especially concerning mathematics, will keep me striving forward. P.S. I attached a picture of my workspace 30 minutes before my physics comprehensive exam.

Born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, I spent my early childhood in a Mexican home. At eight years old, I immigrated to the United States, and I have since accommodated an “Americanized” way of life. However, the environment and family I grew up around continue to impact my beliefs and experiences to this day. Firstly, growing up in Mexico, I have the first-hand experience of seeing people lacking basic needs such as shelter, clothing, and education. As such, I feel extremely grateful that I can pursue a college degree. Furthermore, neither my parents nor my siblings have a college degree, so I am also a first-generation college student. Because of this, my worldview has shifted from “just getting a college degree” to having an opportunity available that my family hasn’t had before. This also brings to mind the idea of the “American dream” that so many Mexicans have, and unfortunately, not all of them can have this reality of a better life come true. As such, I am even more grateful to be blessed with this opportunity to pursue higher education. Furthermore, the people I grew up around have shaped the way I see the world. For instance, my mother is an extremely diligent and persistent person. Born in Mexico, my mom also experienced much hardship and was the one who brought me to the US in hopes of giving me a higher-quality life environment. Also, both my mother and my sister have shown me what endurance looks like. In turn, I also plan to persist in my studies and give it my all when it comes to my future and career. My mother and sister have also always been there to support me, whether that be academically, emotionally, or health-wise. Through the compassion of my family, paired with my love of mathematics, I plan to become a math professor in the future, and I hope to be able to help students even more than I have during my time as a student myself. Lastly, my Hispanic background has shaped my view of the world in that it reminds me of the importance of community, culture, and unity. For instance, when I visit family in Mexico during breaks, I always see our family gathered together, spending quality time together. Through our gatherings, whether it be for loteria or to celebrate Christmas, we foster unity, express our cultural values, and hold to a sense of community. Thanks to this, I hope to remain true to these values as I pursue future endeavors.

Calculus is a broad and widely utilized branch of mathematics, with many of its uses coming from deriving, integrating, taking limits, and more. Having taken AP Calculus BC in high school and Calculus 1 and Calculus 3 at my university, I have grown more fond of calculus over the years. Furthermore, the more calculus concepts I learn, from basic derivatives and integrals to series to double and triple integrals, I have further realized how significant calculus is to the field of STEM. Firstly, calculus is immediately applicable to the field of physics. Sir Isaac Newton, often credited with inventing many, if not most, concepts and formulas used in calculus, was himself also a physicist, and through applying calculus, he was able to make observations about our world via physics. At a basic level, calculus could be used to find velocity and acceleration for a function of position by taking derivatives. On a higher level, multivariable calculus, paired with concepts like curl vectors, is used in fields such as fluid mechanics. Calculus is also a crucial foundation for engineering. From designing bridges to calculating spacecraft trajectories to upgrading modern technologies, calculus is a necessary subject to grasp for engineers working in their respective industries. An example of this would be the engineers working at NASA who, in conjunction with many other formulas, use calculus, the calculus concepts of derivation and integration, throughout various stages of spacecraft design, testing, and launching. Through concepts like the gradient vector and Lagrange multipliers, engineers can determine minimum and maximum rates of change that can be achieved during testing of their prototypes and products. Also, calculus is a building block to the field of mathematics as a whole and serves as a way to explain certain things about our world. For instance, calculus offers ways to calculate areas, volumes, rates, costs, speeds, accelerations, and many more things. Through concepts such as optimization, Riemann sums, and series, we can also obtain approximations when trying to determine values, such as costs and areas, or outcomes, such as a series converging or diverging. To conclude, calculus is important because it is a key branch of mathematics that is used in many, if not most, STEM fields. I am fond of calculus because of its many different applications, some of which I am sure I still do not know to this day. However, as I continue to take more math courses throughout my undergraduate career, I am sure that I will learn about more of the many uses for calculus in STEM fields.

Since my time in middle school, I have had a love of teaching others and helping them grow, especially in the field of mathematics. During high school, some of the most fun I had was in my math classes, especially honors precalculus and AP Calculus BC. In both of these classes, I learned to appreciate math more than before, and I helped my classmates better understand concepts such as trigonometry, derivatives, and integrals. After much effort, I also earned a 5 on my AP Exam for Calculus BC. Because of my love for math, I am pursuing a bachelor’s in applied mathematics at Texas A&M University. Furthermore, I hope to get a master’s in pure mathematics with a teaching emphasis through a fast-track program. Currently, I am most fascinated by the many uses of integration, whether that be finding the area of a region, the volume of a solid, work done using Green’s Theorem, etc., and I hope to participate in research related to this topic at some point during my undergraduate years. In addition, my professor for Calculus 3 has opened my mind to how fun and engaging learning and teaching mathematics can be, as his lectures are informative yet enjoyable. With this goal in mind, I aim to teach introductory mathematics courses, such as calculus 1 and 2, at the community college or university level. This is because I want to share my love of math and help other students, building upon the joy I received from doing these same tasks throughout high school and university. Through this career, my main goals would be to spark a love for math in students and to make it a subject that is fun and fascinating to learn about, rather than one that might be disliked or dreaded. Knowing that many students struggle with math and think of it as a chore, one of my main goals would be to provide digestible and engaging lectures and exercises that would build students’ understanding of calculus topics and increase their enjoyment of mathematics overall. Being Hispanic/Latino, I do not feel this will significantly affect my future career goals. This is because mathematics is a field that transcends the boundaries of race, ethnicity, geography, and politics, and this makes it so that anyone who devotes themselves to it has an opportunity to achieve great things. However, as a first-generation college student from a single-parent, low-income household, this scholarship will make becoming a math professor a more feasible reality. Due to my current financial situation, every scholarship means a lot, making the monetary gap between me and my future career smaller and smaller.

Since my time in middle school, I have had a love of teaching others and helping them grow, especially in the field of mathematics. During high school, some of the most fun I had was in my math classes, especially honors precalculus and AP Calculus BC. In both of these classes, I learned to appreciate math more than before, and I helped my classmates better understand concepts such as trigonometry, derivatives, and integrals. After much effort, I also earned a 5 on my AP Exam for Calculus BC. Because of my love for math, I am pursuing a bachelor’s in applied mathematics at Texas A&M University. Furthermore, I hope to get a master’s in pure mathematics with a teaching emphasis through a fast-track program. Currently, I am most fascinated by the many uses of integration, whether that be finding the area of a region, the volume of a solid, work done using Green’s Theorem, etc., and I hope to participate in research related to this topic at some point during my undergraduate years. In addition, my professor for Calculus 3 has opened my mind to how fun and engaging learning and teaching mathematics can be, as his lectures are informative yet enjoyable. With this goal in mind, I aim to teach introductory mathematics courses, such as calculus 1 and 2, at the community college or university level. This is because I want to share my love of math and help other students, building upon the joy I received from doing these same tasks throughout high school and university. Through this career, my main goals would be to spark a love for math in students and to make it a subject that is fun and fascinating to learn about, rather than one that might be disliked or dreaded. Knowing that many students struggle with math and think of it as a chore, one of my main goals would be to provide digestible and engaging lectures and exercises that would build students’ understanding of calculus topics and increase their enjoyment of mathematics overall. My current community service ambitions involve volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen as well as at my church in the upcoming summer, and I aim to become a tutor or peer teacher within the math department at A&M next year. In addition, my future community service ambition is to provide accessible tutoring opportunities, whether that be with the university or in the years to come once I become a professor.

Standing before the doors of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore building near my apartment complex, I felt compelled to do good for my community by providing a welcoming environment to customers and employees alike. I spent a few weeks volunteering at the ReStore after school and on weekends, making sure to find time between studying and dealing with personal matters. While at the Habitat ReStore, I got to know some amazing people who wore smile on their faces and, consequently, made my affluence towards others brighter too. During my hours volunteering at the store, whether I was fixing bookshelves or wiping down tables, I tried to respond with a kind gesture and a clear response whenever a customer would walk up to me with a question. My commitment to this experience allowed me to spread a message of warmth and kindness to both employees and customers alike, and I hope that though my efforts I was able to make their days just that much better. This experience not only affected the employees and customers, but myself as well. As someone with goals of participating in philanthropy and spreading kindness to everyone, this experience reassured me of my mission looking forward. Another instance of helping others out came when I helped out my sister with operating her food truck back around 2022. During that time I was able to interact with customers and serve them, and that experience allowed me to not only learn how to better work under pressure, but also to socialize more and to do something for the people not only from my own city, but also to those who came from other cities and towns to stop by for a bite! Furthermore, throughout my years in high school, I would try my best to lend a helping hand to my classmates whenever they reached out with any questions regarding the coursework. For instance, I would help one of my classmates in my AP Calculus class whenever he had a little more difficulty understanding the homework questions for the day. I would also try to provide explanations or work with my classmates in other classes such as computer science and microeconomics. Having come to my Christian faith a few months ago has since fueled me with a want to do more acts of love and servitude toward those around me, and I have done things such as spreading the gospel and offering support to both people in my social circle and people online. I hope that through my actions I can bring joy and positivity into the lives of others.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I hid in my personal bubble and let almost nobody in. “Please find a partner for this activity.” Those words became the bane of my existence. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. My sister was the person who took my mom and I in when we moved. She always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But even more importantly, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me. I plan on attending Texas A&M University this upcoming fall.

Having had my life profoundly impacted by Jesus for the first time a few months ago, I can say with confidence that love, faith, and service not only to our loved ones but to our community as a whole are some of the most selfless and caring actions we can take towards helping one another grow, especially in allowing others to be impacted by God, just as I was. I grew up as part of a somewhat Catholic family when I was a child back in my hometown in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Having moved to the U.S. at the young age of eight years old, I was not all that confident in what attending church and partaking in church traditions actually meant. As I grew older, the few members of my family here in the U.S. with me, my mom and sister, and I started to fall out of going to church on Sundays, and we eventually stopped bringing up church or religion almost completely at one point. However, it was around three months ago when one of my closest friends handed me a copy of the New Testament, particularly in the New Living Translation, or NLT for short. Within just a few weeks, maybe even just a few days, I witnessed my life start to change so much as I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and truly experienced what allowing God into my life meant. Since then, I’ve read the New Testament and am currently on the Old Testament reading the Second Book of Kings, and I have seen God work wonders in my life, as well as the lives of those around me. As such, I’ve learned both from the Bible and fellow Christians around me just how important the core values of love, faith, and community service are, both in the Christian walk and in society as a whole. Now knowing this, I plan to show my love to others through living the life of a born again follower of Christ and spreading the Good News of the Gospel around to those around me, for that is one of the most loving things we are called to do as Christians. Through acts of community service such as spreading the teachings of Jesus and the Word of God and later on, once I have graduated college and have a self-sufficient job, giving to the needy and caring for the elderly, I hope to spread the message of love, kindness, faith, and selfless service of our Lord Christ Jesus.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I hid in my personal bubble and let almost nobody in. “Please find a partner for this activity.” Those words became the bane of my existence. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. They always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. Furthermore, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

Standing before the doors of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore building near my apartment complex, I felt compelled to do good for my community by providing a welcoming environment to customers and employees alike. I spent a few weeks volunteering at the ReStore after school and on weekends, making sure to find time between studying and dealing with personal matters. While at the Habitat ReStore, I got to know some amazing people who wore smile on their faces and, consequently, made my affluence towards others brighter too. During my hours volunteering at the store, whether I was fixing bookshelves or wiping down tables, I tried to respond with a kind gesture and a clear response whenever a customer would walk up to me with a question. My commitment to this experience allowed me to spread a message of warmth and kindness to both employees and customers alike, and I hope that though my efforts I was able to make their days just that much better. This experience not only affected the employees and customers, but myself as well. As someone with goals of participating in philanthropy and spreading kindness to everyone, this experience reassured me of my mission looking forward.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I hid in my personal bubble and let almost nobody in. “Please find a partner for this activity.” Those words became the bane of my existence. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I helped my sister run her food truck. I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and me in when we moved. She always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I still remember the day my sister and my mom bought me a laptop for my 15th birthday. It holds more sentimental value to me than any other object because it is a symbol of the family bonds that hold us together. As I entered junior year, my wish of feeling as part of a whole family came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. To conclude, I know the sacrifices my mom made for me as a single parent were and are great in number, which only pushes me to go further and do all I can to succeed for her.

High school has always been a journey of drive and struggle, yet in modern society it is becoming all too common for teenagers to become plagued with mental health issues, particularly because of social media and psychological disorders which develop in their early life. As a teen who is on the verge of entering young adulthood, I have also faced issues regarding my mental health on a day-to-day basis. In particular, I deal with chronic anxiety, feelings of inferiority, and never feeling good enough about myself. However, I have slowly learned to cope with these psychological issues, mainly through spending quality time with friends and family and entertaining myself via reading, working on calculus problems, and gaming. My feelings of anxiety are constant and greatly influence my everyday life, often making me exaggerate events and the significance of whatever situation I am in. As mentioned above however, just taking the time of day to recollect my thoughts and emotions through spending time with those I can feel comfortable around, especially in familiar surroundings, is a great way for me to cope with these lingering feelings. For instance, talking with my friends during my computer science class often eases a lot of the anxious feelings I would be plagued by because of academic pressures, my need to succeed, and other internal struggles I am faced with. I feel like my internal struggles have actually only brought me closer to the people I really care about in my life, since I know what it feels like to feel crushed, helpless, and overwhelmed sometimes. Furthermore, I have learned to cope with the aforementioned feelings through forms of entertainment such as reading, watching YouTube, playing video games, and having fun solving math equations. These are all activities which help alleviate some of the dreadfulness I feel whenever I am allowed to be alone with my thoughts, whether in school, at home, or anywhere else in the outside world. The good thing about my anxieties, however, is that they have not impacted my ability to keep moving forward to pursue a career, even if at the present moment I am not sure of what. My future goals include graduating with either a bachelor's in engineering from Texas A&M University, growing closer to God, getting my first job, starting my own family, paying back my family for all they have given me and being there for them, and practicing philanthropy whenever possible. To me, the first step in this long journey of self-improvement and personal growth all starts with having the right mindset, and as such, I have been working every day to reduce the disruptive nature of the mental health struggles I have been facing for years now. I will continue with my efforts to become a successful, self-actualized, and kind-hearted individual who gives back not only to those close to me, but also to society and those who need support overcoming their own mental health struggles.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I helped my sister run her food truck. I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and me in when we moved. She always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me. Through the support of my friends and family, I have come to feel empowered and proud rather than ashamed of being an immigrant and have found deeper passions in my life.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I hid in my personal bubble and let almost nobody in. “Please find a partner for this activity.” Those words became the bane of my existence. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I helped my sister run her food truck. I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and me in when we moved. She always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I still remember the day my sister and my mom bought me a laptop for my 15th birthday. It holds more sentimental value to me than any other object because it is a symbol of the family bonds that hold us together. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. Overcoming this challenge through the help of those around me has taught me the significance of acceptance, relying on and supporting others, and how treating others kindly can leave a monumental and lasting effect on the individual. My newfound motivation and having learned what I did from overcoming adversity has only further given me a drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

Calculus has always been a significant part of the world of STEM, especially in subjects such as Engineering and Computer Science. It provides ways to objectively quantify concepts, like an applied form of physics, ever since the time of Newton and Leibniz. Since then, calculus has grown greatly in significance and is so crucial to today’s modern, industrial society that many corporations would fail without this branch of mathematics. To me, calculus is important in the STEM field because it allows a way to quantity abstract concepts and work with components in terms of numbers and variables, which then can be applied to the subject at hand to help get the job done. For instance, a Computer Science major often involves taking Calculus I, II, and III, the reason for this being that it will later on help with understanding other complex topics in the world of computer science, especially those dealing with the way hardware works and how computers compute mathematical equations. Furthermore, calculus is also important in the field of STEM because it is helpful in that it promotes skills such as critical thinking, patiently working through problems, and perseverance when faced with a difficult problem. In my journey taking AP Calculus BC as a high school senior, I can say with certainty that calculus has greatly changed the way I approach problems in terms of my mindset, analytical thinking skills, and patience. This has also influenced my diligence and performance in my other classes, especially those in STEM such as my Data Structures Computer Science class, where perseverance after failing countless times is a big deal. In the future, it is likely that calculus will continue to be used by individuals and even expand, with the increased growth of STEM majors in recent years, very much aided by advances in tech and many entering the Engineering and Computer Science routes in college. As such, it is not too far-fetched to say calculus will become a core subject that much of the population will know in the next decades to come as the tech industry keeps expanding. To conclude, calculus is a significant and subject in the field of STEM since it builds foundational skills such as critical thinking and grit, will continue to expand and be used by society in the future, and is greatly influential in day-to-day-life as it changes the ways people approach ways to solve academic, career, personal, and even societal issues.

High school has always been a journey of drive and struggle, yet in modern society it is becoming all too common for teenagers to become plagued with mental health issues, particularly because of social media and psychological disorders which develop in their early life. As a teen who is on the verge of entering young adulthood, I have also faced issues regarding my mental health on a day-to-day basis. In particular, I deal with chronic anxiety, feelings of inferiority, and never feeling good enough about myself. However, I have slowly learned to cope with these psychological issues, mainly through spending quality time with friends and family and entertaining myself via reading, working on calculus problems, and gaming. My feelings of anxiety are constant and greatly influence my everyday life, often making me exaggerate events and the significance of whatever situation I am in. As mentioned above however, just taking the time of day to recollect my thoughts and emotions through spending time with those I can feel comfortable around, especially in familiar surroundings, is a great way for me to cope with these lingering feelings. For instance, talking with my friends during my computer science class often eases a lot of the anxious feelings I would be plagued by because of academic pressures, my need to succeed, and other internal struggles I am faced with. Furthermore, I have learned to cope with the aforementioned feelings through forms of entertainment such as reading, watching YouTube, playing video games, and having fun solving math equations. These are all activities which help alleviate some of the dreadfulness I feel whenever I am allowed to be alone with my thoughts, whether in school, at home, or anywhere else in the outside world. My future goals include graduating with either a mathematics or computer science major from Texas A&M University, growing closer to God, getting my first job, starting my own family, paying back my family for all they have given me and being there for them, and practicing philanthropy whenever possible. To me, the first step in this long journey of self-improvement and personal growth all starts with having the right mindset, and as such, I have been working every day to reduce the disruptive nature of the mental health struggles I have been facing for years now. I will continue with my efforts to become a successful, self-actualized, and kind-heart individual who gives back not only to those close to me, but also to society and those who need support overcoming their own mental health struggles.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I hid in my personal bubble and let almost nobody in. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I helped my sister run her food truck. I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and me in when we moved. She always gave me advice and taught me about taking responsibility. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me.

As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. Hearing the words “Te odio” and “Vete de aqui” was part of my day-to-day life. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me. A family that taught me to hide and not speak. At night I would hear pounding at my door and the words “Abre la puerta.” I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. People would only talk to me when they wanted help with schoolwork. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. I was anxious and afraid of being judged despite doing nothing wrong. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I helped my sister run her food truck. I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and me in when we moved. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. I sat in my room for hours, thinking about the chance that at least one person in there would see me as a friend. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people like Darby, Nathan, and Coach McDonald, who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow, such as teaching me problem-solving skills. In addition, I began using my voice without having to be called on for the first time in years. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to learn that I notice in no others, and I am excited to see where it takes me, especially in terms of helping those around me who are experiencing their own hardships. Through my support, I strive to make their burden just that bit less.

My definition of the American dream is being that good student who makes his mother proud, that individual who keeps growing and striving to help his friends and family in times of hardship, and being the best version of you that you can be. As a first-generation, low income student, immigrating from Mexico to the U.S. at just the age of eight years old was certainly one of the biggest risks my mother had to take in order to ensure a better life for me. Though we have faced constant financial struggle over the years, through her support, I have held onto the hope of achieving my definition of the American dream. From the year I started my schooling here in the U.S. to the present day I strive to keep giving it my 110% when it comes to my academics, always staying on track and making sure I can be a student that I and my family can be proud of. Furthermore, at school I do my best to provide help to those around me, and whenever I see a classmate struggling on a subject, I take action and do my part by trying to help them figure out what they need help on. As an individual, I can say with certainty that I have grown substantially in the almost ten years that I have lived in the U.S. Whether it be helping my friends and family, supporting my fellow classmates, or volunteering to help my community, I have come a long way over the past decade. I feel confident and proud of my ability to be a team player and provide not only hands-on support, but also moral support wherever necessary. I feel like being the best version of myself is something I am constantly working on, and it is something I can always improve in. In a way, I like to consider things from the perspective of humanists and through a lens of optimism, especially as I am reaching the stage of my life where I will begin making my own decisions all on my own. To conclude, my definition of the American dream is one of making the most of this country’s opportunities to become the best version of yourself and to be someone who reflects a positive light onto others. I will keep striving to become that version of me as I grow older and wiser, and I will then keep going so my light can hopefully reach more and more people.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have only grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science. I treat them like jigsaw puzzles. Math is a subject built around familiarizing yourself with formulas, concepts, and of course, the application of logic. I can take a seemingly challenging problem and break it down by analyzing its components, where I can then use formulas and concepts to fit the puzzle pieces together. I can say the same about computer science, where I first brainstorm many ways to reach my end goal. I then consider my options and use class methods or even create my own, connecting everything one piece at a time. Before I realized it, my love for math carried over to computer science, solidifying the latter as my major. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive tenfold. My computer science teacher, Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in the subject more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in his class, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have only grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science. I treat them like jigsaw puzzles. Math is a subject built around familiarizing yourself with formulas, concepts, and of course, the application of logic. I can take a seemingly challenging problem and break it down by analyzing its components, where I can then use formulas and concepts to fit the puzzle pieces together. I can say the same about computer science, where I first brainstorm many ways to reach my end goal. I then consider my options and use class methods or even create my own, connecting everything one piece at a time. Before I realized it, my love for math carried over to computer science, solidifying the latter as my major. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive tenfold. My computer science teacher, Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in the subject more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in his class, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have only grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science. As such, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in one of these subjects. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive even further. My math and computer science teachers, Mrs. Cruz and Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in both subjects more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in those classes, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL for both subjects and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through math and computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field, where I have settled on the latter subject as my major of choice (with a minor in math). I plan to become a software developer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software developer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software developer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives. At the end of the day, the thing that most motivates me to pursue higher education and make a career for myself is to be able to give back to the world and especially to give back to my family and make them proud. Being a first-generation student from a low-income household has only increased my desire to overcome the adversities I have been placed against (such as having to find my place again after moving to the U.S. as a kid), further cementing my need to continue my education and leave my mark. I believe this can best be done through my becoming a software developer, as it will allow me to support others from anywhere in the world while also allowing me to give back to the same family who helped me overcome many struggles growing up. To me, there is no better way to utilize what I know than to make someone's day better.

My financial circumstances are that I live in a low-income, single-parent household, and my mom has been my guiding beacon through our family's struggle at making a living ever since I can remember. As such, this scholarship is important to my continued education because it will help in part of funding the degree and career I am striving to reach, and with that I want to achieve said goals not only for myself, but to be able to give back to my mother who for so long provided all she could for me. My passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives.

After graduating from high school, I will pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University, and I know that my love for computer science and programming will give me the motivation and drive that will allow me to succeed in this pursuit. Furthermore, I will proceed to teach myself different coding languages such as Java, C++, and Python during my time at A&M as well as Data Structures and ways to efficiently write code in said languages. To top it all off, I will also seek internships following the first semester of my freshman year, actively participating in activities surrounding engineering, software development, and programming, and putting in the time and dedication not only into my classwork but also in networking and creating lasting personal relationships with my peers through our shared love of computer science. My passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to also pursue future career endeavors in the field of computer science. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives. I will use this scholarship to help me reach these goals since it will give me some of the funds I need in order to make what I am striving for ever-more feasible. As a first-generation student who comes from a single-parent, low-income household, this scholarship will be a huge stepping stone on my path to becoming a software engineering and leaving my impact on the world through said career.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have only grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science (engineering). I treat them like jigsaw puzzles. Math is a subject built around familiarizing yourself with formulas, concepts, and of course, the application of logic. I can take a seemingly challenging problem and break it down by analyzing its components, where I can then use formulas and concepts to fit the puzzle pieces together. I can say the same about computer science, where I first brainstorm many ways to reach my end goal. I then consider my options and use class methods or even create my own, connecting everything one piece at a time. Before I realized it, my love for math carried over to computer science, solidifying the latter as my major. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive tenfold. My computer science teacher, Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in the subject more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in his class, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives. My upbringing and life events have drastically impacted who I am today since they have given me the drive to learn and help others, paired with my love for computer science. Throughout my experiences in learning all about the world of logic and the basics of engineering and programming, I have learned critical thinking skills, how to work in a team, and how to keep trying even after multiple failed attempts.

Jack Terry's story inspires me because overcoming adversity such as his is something truly admirable which must have taken an outstanding amount of willpower and grit. As such, this story has reminded me that anything is possible as long as you stay determined, hopeful, and keep wanting to grow and become a better individual for yourself and those around you. As a kid, I was raised in an environment full of alcohol issues and constant arguments, many of which turned violent. That was the “family” I was a part of, one that was holding on solely because of me, and I could feel my mom’s fear as she did her best to protect me from my dad. His drunken mistakes taught me that being part of a family could be scarring. When I moved from Mexico in 2014, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. By the time I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt like I didn’t fit in. I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others. The only thing keeping me going was the two family members I still had, my mom and my older sister. I loved them more than anything and they believed in me. I volunteered at my sister's food truck, since I wanted to repay her for all the things she had done for me. She was the person who took my mom and I in when we moved. She was an authoritative figure I could depend on. But most important of all, I made sure to tell my mom how much her support meant. She was my guiding beacon when I was at my lowest points, and I am not sure where I would be without her. I still remember the day my sister and my mom bought me a laptop for my 15th birthday. It holds more sentimental value to me than any other object because it is a symbol of the family bonds that hold us together. I recall checking off AP Computer Science A on my junior course selection sheet. I chose it because it gave me hope that I could find others with similar passions for logic and technology who would accept me. Hope that I would no longer have to feel like a mute outcast. And as I entered junior year, my wish came true. Through my computer science class, I got to meet amazing people who became my new family and helped me fit in. They motivated me to pursue my passions, just like my mom had for years. My new family offered me advice and opportunities to learn and grow. I tried harder than ever when it came to academics and became more involved in school events and clubs, where I took leadership roles. Additionally, I also attended competitions and even appeared on TV, where I was having the time of my life. This newfound motivation has given me the drive to become a software engineer after graduating from college. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society, especially to help give back to those less fortunate than I who face many struggles in day-to-day life. If it means I can positively affect others' lives, then I believe it is a career worth pursuing.

Math has always been the subject I find myself enjoying and devoting myself to the most. I love activities that deal with logic and puzzle-solving, so seeing an equation that needs solving flips a switch in me that won't give up until I find the answer. Math is something that means a lot to me, since it's something I'm truly passionate about and want to continue using past my current and future education endeavors. My AP Calculus BC class has been the most fun class I have ever been enrolled in, as it provides a bigger workload for me to dig into. As such, I find myself working ahead and putting in my all to succeed in said class, only fueling my love for math even more. I strongly believe that math will be an integral part of my future careers (pun intended). Math is something that I will not stop using any time in the foreseeable future, and I intend to make use of it as long as I can keep finding solutions to the problems I am posed with. Furthermore, I love math because I know it is one of humanity's universal languages. No matter where in the world you are, x is always a variable and two plus is equal to four. Math is applicable in infinitely circumstances, from professional careers, to hobbies, to learning. It is something that has limitations on accessibility, and I find that even more impressive, since it means that it exists anywhere and everywhere all at once. Because of this, math is a field I love dearly, since it transcends limitations, fuels my drive to learn, and makes the world move.

I remember the days in middle school where I would play Pokémon before class and after class waiting for my bus. I had gotten my first DS in 6th grade for Christmas, and it helped me become closer to my friends as we would all talk about the games we played. However, there was one game that stood out from the rest: Pokémon Pearl. Though the game was usually just a single-player experience, I vividly recall the most enjoyable aspect of it to be the mode that allowed for co-op double battles. My friends and I would play against each other in pairs and duel it out to see who had the best teamwork and knowledge of the game’s mechanics, yet at the time I never could have expected that those same matches would become such nostalgic memories until now. The game quickly became my top choice when playing with friends, as I love strategy and turn-based games, and the game allowed me to experience that alongside those close to me. Furthermore, there was one match I will never forget. It was another match where it was a friend and I versus two of my other friends, and it was down to my last Pokémon, Palkia, versus one of theirs, Dialga. It was my opponent’s turn and if they went for their Roar of Time attack, I knew I would lose the match, unless I got extremely lucky, and it would miss. As I read the dialogue at the bottom of the screen reading “Dialga used Roar of Time”, I held out hope that it would miss, and to my surprise it did. After that, it was my turn and I ended the match as the victor after my Palkia used its special move, Spacial Rend. I remember how relieved and ecstatic I felt as I clutched my DS and looked at my friend, who was also brimming with joy. As such, Pokémon Pearl’s double battles will always hold a special place in my heart, as they helped create some of the best memories of my early life.

I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have only grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science. I treat them like jigsaw puzzles. Math is a subject built around familiarizing yourself with formulas, concepts, and of course, the application of logic. I can take a seemingly challenging problem and break it down by analyzing its components, where I can then use formulas and concepts to fit the puzzle pieces together. I can say the same about computer science, where I first brainstorm many ways to reach my end goal. I then consider my options and use class methods or even create my own, connecting everything one piece at a time. Before I realized it, my love for math carried over to computer science, solidifying the latter as my major. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive tenfold. My computer science teacher, Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in the subject more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in his class, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software engineer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software engineer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where ideas and visions for the future would become a reality. For instance, I could work on a breakthrough project concerning self-driving cars by improving their detection capabilities by feeding them new data sets. Progress in this area could lead to fewer car accidents and save thousands, if not millions of lives over the years. This would result in a safer world for many, and would also make day-to-day life less of a stressor. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software engineer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software/program development to improve and save many lives.

Though short and sweet, Cyberpunk Edgerunners is my favorite Netflix show of all time. This show features so many themes that I can relate to, including loss, growth, selflessness, teamwork, and drive. Firstly, the show starts off showing how the protagonist, David, lives with only his mother and that his family is undergoing financial burden. This hit close to home since I also live with only my mother, and we also have a poor financial situation. David proceeds to lose his mother and eventually “enhances” himself with cybernetic upgrades. He does this in order to defend himself against those who’ve wronged him and to achieve his mother’s goal of him living a better life. This part of the show also stuck with me, since a lot of what I want to achieve is because of my mother’s impact on my life, and I want to see her achieve both of our dreams. After this, David meets a squad of Edgerunners and eventually joins them, finally making up his mind to become one of them. The squad pulls off many successful jobs and David starts to find his sense of belonging within the group, growing closer to all of them while achieving his dreams at the same time. This part of the show was the most captivating to me because it reminded me of my computer science classes. I used to feel like I did not fit in very well during my early high school years, but signing up for computer science allowed me to find a group I could fit into who accepted me for me. Eventually, David’s squad falls apart one by one until only David and a few members remain, yet David has always kept his drive and goals in mind. His selflessness and dedication to teamwork and self-growth have impacted my everyday life and have better guided me onto the path of being a leader. At the end of the show David sacrifices himself to save the lives of the last two members of his squad, including his love interest, showing that his selflessness exceeded even the cost of his life. This twist in the final episode really startled me but left a highly-motivating long-term effect on me, since it reinforced the idea within me that, if needed, we need to be selfless to protect those dear to us. Cyberpunk Edgerunners is my favorite Netflix show of all time, not only because of its entertainment and rewatch value, but because it taught me a lot of life lessons that have stuck with me since my first time watching it. As such, I have rewatched it multiple times and continue to be a huge fan of the show.

Though short and sweet, Cyberpunk Edgerunners is my favorite anime of all time. This anime features so many themes that I can relate to, including loss, growth, selflessness, teamwork, and drive. Firstly, the anime starts off showing how the protagonist, David, lives with only his mother and that his family is undergoing financial burden. This hit close to home since I also live with only my mother, and we also have a poor financial situation. David proceeds to lose his mother and eventually “enhances” himself with cybernetic upgrades. He does this in order to defend himself against those who’ve wronged him and to achieve his mother’s goal of him living a better life. This part of the anime also stuck with me, since a lot of what I want to achieve is because of my mother’s impact on my life, and I want to see her achieve both of our dreams. After this, David meets a squad of Edgerunners and eventually joins them, finally making up his mind to become one of them. The squad pulls off many successful jobs and David starts to find his sense of belonging within the group, growing closer to all of them while achieving his dreams at the same time. This part of the show was the most captivating to me because it reminded me of my computer science classes. I used to feel like I did not fit in very well during my early high school years, but signing up for computer science allowed me to find a group I could fit into who accepted me for me. Eventually, David’s squad falls apart one by one until only David and a few members remain, yet David has always kept his drive and goals in mind. His selflessness and dedication to teamwork and self-growth have impacted my everyday life and have better guided me onto the path of being a leader. Cyberpunk Edgerunners is my favorite anime of all time, not only because of its entertainment value, but because it taught me a lot of life lessons that have stuck with me since my first time watching it. As such, I have rewatched it multiple times and continue to be a huge fan of the anime.

My favorite aspect of Minecraft has always been creating automatic Redstone farms. As someone who has played Minecraft for many years, I have always found that using automated farms to facilitate resource gathering and management to be particularly enjoyable. Furthermore, constructing such farms has fueled a part of my educational desire by making me consider more efficient ways to perform actions or work on my own projects, especially in computer science. Throughout the years I’ve spent playing Minecraft, I have constructed farms ranging from automatic iron farms to automatic gold farms, and I can say with confidence that it has tested my creativity, dedication to my work, and finding ways to perform tasks more efficiently. As such, I have further become interested in applying such ways of thinking into my real-life goals, especially in terms of my studies and coding on my own time. I have spent the past month learning how to utilize GUIs in Java and learning how to start making my own games, which I feel is something I can put my previous Minecraft experiences to use on. For instance, I tend to find more ways to efficiently create classes and methods and tend to split up and sort the code into ways that can be easily interpreted and altered, just like my iron, crop, and sugarcane farms in Minecraft. This aspect of the game also resonates with me on a personal level, since I have always been driven by logical ways of solving problems, and Redstone is, at its core, digital circuitry which tests one’s ability to piece together each component. Because of this, I grew increasingly fond of Redstone and would always experiment with it, making rollercoasters, traps, and of course, Redstone farms. During my childhood, Minecraft Redstone allowed me to express my love for logic reasoning and allowed me to pick up skills that serve me now as I delve deeper into the world of technological knowledge and advancement.

Innovation in computer science will help turn the Holodeck from Star Trek into a science fact. With the recent expansion of virtual reality experiences, it is not too long before the field of computer science reaches a point where we can simulate extremely vivid and hyperrealistic virtual environments. As such, we can create new worlds where the only limitation is the creativity of the human mind. Computer science has seen striking growth in the past decade, particularly regarding virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Because of this, the field is growing exponentially and the limits of what can be achieved are being pushed further and further. Naturally, near-future technological advancements will result in more detailed, immersive, and interactive virtual reality experiences. For instance, today we have noticeably realistic experiences, but it is a fact that they will only become further enhanced in the next couple of years as large technological corporations continue to research and experiment with virtual reality systems, software, and hardware. The Holodeck from Star Trek is an experience that we will indubitably arrive at, which features hyperrealistic virtual experiences that extend beyond merely visual and include features like touch and interaction with holographic characters and objects. It is without a doubt that computer science innovation will reach the point where we can achieve the aforementioned experience, with fully immersive environments that utilize sensory interaction. Therefore, users will be able to communicate and spend time with virtual characters, which could be used to provide enjoyment, support, or knowledge. Furthermore, improvement in artificial intelligence will greatly expedite this process, as we can use machine learning on par with standard research and experimentation to test out new ideas, programming methodology, and hardware design. As a student who comes from a low-income household, I have often not had access to technology considered average in modern times, but I believe that through the effort I am willing to put into studying computer science and familiarizing myself with artificial intelligence and virtual reality theory, I can help develop my skills and access to newer technologies, for both personal fulfillment but also to help innovate the new technology I mentioned, which could help support people in need who may feel lonely or perhaps miss loved ones. By devoting myself to working to make the Holodeck real, I know that I will make the world a place where people can always feel included, connected, and appreciated.

My early childhood was the part of my life that has placed the most obstacles upon me. When I moved to the US from Mexico in 2014, at eight years old, I felt like I had no one except for my mom. My family was falling apart; my dad was no longer in the picture, and with mom at work all the time, I didn’t feel like I was the same as what I saw around me: on TV, in books, and in real life. Because of this, I grew increasingly self-aware, quiet, and scared of others for most of my early adolescence. However, there was one thing I discovered during my childhood that has always fueled my resolve to be successful: My love for logic. I remember the exact moment I fell in love with logic. It was at the young age of three years old when I completed my first jigsaw puzzle. Recognizing the patterns and shapes that I had to fit together was something I found fascinating. This experience stuck with me, and over the years, I have grown more fond of all things logic, including math and computer science. Furthermore, this concept gave me a sense of comfort and of wanting to keep moving forward despite my circumstances after I moved to the US, where everything was unfamiliar and scary to me as a child. As such, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in one of these subjects after my sophomore year of high school. Entering my junior year of high school propelled my drive even further. My math and computer science teachers, Mrs. Cruz and Coach McDonald, motivated me to pursue a future in both subjects more than anyone else. I spent countless hours studying new concepts ahead of time and getting ahead in those classes, absorbing the course content rapidly. I also participated in UIL for both subjects and did well on the computer science test for my first year there, where I contributed to our team getting second place in the district competition. This passion for logic, specifically through math and computer science, has driven me to pursue future endeavors in the STEM field. I plan to become a software developer for my career. I aim to create innovative and revolutionary software and programs to improve the quality of life for our society. Pursuing a career as a software developer would allow me to work with many others in my field, creating a collaborative and healthy work environment where visions for the future would become a reality. After graduating, I plan to take on my duties as a software developer and reach the highest levels of technological innovation. I will utilize my knowledge of computer science to aid me in collaboration and software development to improve and save many lives. I decided that STEM is for me because I want to use my love for learning and applying logical concepts to help make the world a better place for others.