The STEM major that I am pursuing is Computer Science: Programming. I chose this major due to three main reasons. The first reason of these three, and one that I believe is the most important, is the passion that I have for programming and computers. Ever since I was a young child, I have had an enormous interest in computers. I would log into my family's computer and just play around with the settings and see what I could customize. I continued the interest in computers as I grew up and had many computer related classes in middle school and high school such as tech ed, however, in my junior year of high school, my main passion involving computers changed. In junior year, I enrolled in an intro to programming class that introduced me to the fundamentals of programming and eventually walked me through the basics of Java. Since the very first time I began coding, I realized the freedom that I gained as I typed. Simply by learning the syntax and logistics of a coding language, I had the freedom to use the language to do whatever I wanted. This made my creativity flourish, and ever since junior year in high school, I have used programming as an outlet or my creativity, almost like an empty canvas that I could paint on using code. This is the main reason I chose my major. The second reason I chose this major specifically is simply because I didn't know what else to pick. Selecting your major for college is a daunting task, one that many students struggle with. Making the wrong choice could result in wasted time, wasted money, and have a negative impact on your mental health. In a world where teens compare themselves to their seemingly perfect and successful peers online on social media, not knowing your major and just doing your core classes at first can make any student feel like a failure that doesn't have their life together. I didn't know what major to pick, and although I loved programming, the fear of not having my future prepared outclasses my love for programming when it came to this selection. The final reason I chose my major was even more simplistic than the previous one, money. Money is what makes the world go around and seeing how much software engineers made certainly didn't push me away from choosing this major. As the cost of rent and gas rise every day, I can't help but want to choose a major that may set me up well financially, as that is extremely important. I understand that money isn't everything, but having a passion for something and getting paid well is quite a good deal in my opinion. These three reasons are the core reasons on why I chose my major of Computer Science: Programming, and although not all of them are equally honorable, they are certainly equally understandable.

Over the past year, I have grown an immeasurable amount. I have gone through plenty of ups and downs not only as a college student but as a human too. It may be difficult for some to pick one specific way that they've grown over the past year to write about, however, I experienced something this last year that has changed me mentally forever. Throughout this past year, I have been on the journey of weight loss and physical self-improvement. I lost a total of 70 pounds and began frequenting the weight room at the gym. My muscles got larger, my waist smaller, yet, my self-confidence and body dysmorphia had gotten worse. It seemed like every day the daunting number on the scale would continue to go down, however, my happiness went down with it. I fell down a deep spiral. I thought to myself, "Have I worked this hard for nothing? Despite all the barriers I have overcome, the trials I have endured, and the challenges I have bested, I have nothing to show for it.". I began to believe that my current self, even though much more fit than months before, looked the same. What I began to face was extreme body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia was like an opponent that I've never faced before, no matter where turned, it was there lurking in the back of my mind. The mirror, the scale, and my mind had all turned into my greatest enemies. I promptly turned to my old comfort habit of overeating. Food had always been there to comfort me, when I was at my worst, like a tasty shoulder to cry on. I continued to fatten myself up for weeks before I realized what I was doing, and by the time I stopped, I had gained 20 pounds. Over the next few months, I continuously attempted to return to my state of fitness and health, however, this time it was much more difficult. I put the hours in and the fruits of my labor finally began to show, however; I knew what was to come. I was still unsure of how I was going to battle the colossal beast that was body dysmorphia, but I pushed onward. Day by day I continued to diet and train, always trying to outsmart my brain that was constantly insulting me and my looks, that was until one day when I stopped weighing myself. I know this may have seemed like an easy solution at first, but weighing yourself when you are dieting and working out is crucial, not only to track fat loss but muscle growth too. I eventually began using the mirror to aid me as well. Once, my sworn enemy, I could now use the mirror to judge my weight based on my looks. Instead of gaining or losing 3 pounds at the end of a week, I simply wouldn't notice week by week, and now I could continue living. This is how I defeated my body dysmorphia using the mirror as my shield, and my mind as my sword. My weight loss journey was everything but a straight path, however, I'm glad that I endured the whole process. Although for the most part, I have bested my body dysmorphia, like nearly everyone else, I often think I can still look better, so that has stayed the same, however; that can be my next battle. This journey shaped me as a person and help me discover how to fight my own battles, even against myself. That is what I have learned throughout my journey of self-discovery.

Eating healthy is something that comes hand-in-hand with living a healthy lifestyle. A few years ago, I was overweight and depressed, left with not motivation or energy to make any changes. Once I decided it was time to make a change for myself and I made improvements to my diet, I also noticed a near instant improvement in my mental and physical health. Over the last two years, I have lost 70 pounds and improved my mental health in way I never thought were possible. I am now full of energy both physically and mentally because of the foods I eat. Eating healthy hasn't just become a choice for me, it has become a lifestyle. My experience with changing my diet to a healthier diet has alone proved to me the importance of maintaining a healthy and well balanced diet.

1. I got interested in pursuing a degree in computer science after my very first intro to programming class. I took my intro to programming class as a sophomore in high school after having it recommended to me because I was interested in computers. Sure enough, I fell in love with programming and computer science after completing my first project. Seeing the fruits of my labor after spending time on code is one of the most indescribable feelings in the world and I became addicted. It brought me genuine joy to code and that is why I am interested in pursuing a computer science degree. 2. My first goal after receiving my computer science degree would be to land a job as a software engineer; however, my dream position would be founding my own tech startup where money wouldn't be my ambition, but rather bringing my ideas to life. 3. I know I am the best candidate for this scholarship because despite all the hardships and time I spent debugging my issues in computer science, I will always persevere and never give up.

Simple pleasures can keep a day together that is otherwise falling apart. I believe it is very important for everyone to have a simple pleasure in life regardless of what it is. My personal simple pleasure is playing video games. After being bombarded with homework, exams, and work issues, I need something to help me unwind. After finishing what needs to be done for the day, the feeling of logging off from the professional side of my life and being able to enjoy something as I turn my gaming console on is like no other. I am able to then have fun and connect with my friends in a worry-free environment. When I'm playing video games, it's as if all my "real life" problems are nonexistent and I can let my guard down. That is why video games are my simple pleasure, to some it may just be about playing games but to me it's an escape from the stressful reality of life.

Influence, to me, means to leave a piece of yourself behind with someone else. To have a part of you, become a part of them. To leave someone sharing your same ideals and motives, to leave a major impact on the way other people live their lives, that is what influence means to me. I influence those around me by being positive. Even if I cannot contribute anything of meaning to this world, I know I can always still bring happiness and joy to others, so that is what I try to do, with anyone I encounter, I share some of my joy and my happiness. A time where I was forced to overcome adversity was when I was struggling with my mental health all throughout high school. Although it was hard to deal with, I still tried to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully I persevered through what I believe was the worst of it, and now can conquer those issues much easier than I could've in the past. I am currently perusing a degree in computer science: programming. I chose this field because ever since I took my first introduction to programming class, I have been hooked. It has been one the hardest subjects for me over the last few years, but it is also the most rewarding. I know I am in the right field because of the genuine joy I experience when I get a program to work. Receiving this scholarship would not only mean a lot to me because of the needs to fund my tuition, but it means that I would need to carry on Jacks legacy through this scholarship. I know that after discovering him and his message, I can make him proud with what I do in this world and this scholarship can be a steppingstone to help me get there.

Throughout the many years of this war that I have been fighting with my mental health, I learned that comfort is one thing that always seemed to help me calm down and relax. Whether it's comfort rooms, books, dogs, or anything else, having something that can comfort a person with mental illness is a huge help in calming their mind and relieving their stress. I believe that the best way to incorporate the idea of making life more comfortable could start with the public school system. It would be quite practical for a school to have a panic room and maybe a mental health club where students could talk to people who struggle with the same issues as them, overall achieving the end goal of making everyone more comfortable. This is just my practical solution to this issue, and there is plenty of other solutions, but I figured why not address the root of the problem for many people struggling with things such as anxiety and depression by attacking discomfort.

Technology is the driving force behind our everyday lives in this day and age. With every day that passes we are innovating with technology and discovering new things. Technology has never been used for one reason in particular, but the main objective of all technology is to help or improve something. This is why the one new technology that I'm excited about is not one thing in particular, but rather the whole medical field becoming more and more developed by new technology. With medical instruments becoming improved and new medicines becoming invented, we can prosper further and focus more on enjoying life. Health and wellbeing my top priorities and keeping everyone that I love safe and healthy is one thing that I look forward to with the aid of new technology in the medical field.

I believe that educational inequity is something we should all stand for because it provides a basic human right, a right to be able to obtain an education when desired. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to become a well-educated person, not for the lack of trying, but rather the inopportunity of being able to receive a good education without having to jump through hoops and overcome unnecessary boundaries. In this world, knowledge is the supreme ruler of all, and if we do not all have the same opportunities to gain knowledge, it can doom us. This is why I believe everyone on this planet, regardless of meaningless things such as race, creed, sexual orientation, or income should have access to the same level of education, and why I believe education inequity is something we should all stand for.