print(Hello, World!) I squinted at the screen, wishing I had glasses. My nervous palms gripped the mouse and coated it in sweat. It was silent save for the sound of fingers scuttering across keyboards and swift clicks of mice. I glanced around, wiped my hands on my borrowed uniform, and executed the code. I clicked “Run,” then… SyntaxError: Invalid Syntax … An error? This was the first error I’d ever gotten in programming. I’d just begun studying Information Technology and was entirely new to the computing world. Where I grew up, there weren’t any STEM classes, only gang violence and underfunded schools. Growing up in this poor environment, I quickly focused on my education. I sped through textbooks in school and spent my free time writing adventurous stories, designing dollhouses, and building habitats for the animals in my backyard. I’ve always had a knack for creation, but I never had an outlet because my community was so underserved. So, when a performing arts middle school opened up in my city, I rushed to apply. The school was so new it didn’t have a building; we had to borrow rooms from the local high school to host our classes. I studied musical theater and explored every aspect of the genre. I learned how to sing, act, and dance. I learned how to channel the creativity I held and, well… create! I spent evenings sitting at the kitchen table excitedly scribbling down lyrics. I choreographed projects, worked on plays, and realized the importance of taking advantage of opportunities given to me—a realization that’s stuck with me even when facing adversity. With this message guiding me, I’ve overcome countless difficulties throughout my life, including financial instability, sickness, and familial struggles. Now, I faced a new difficulty: syntax errors. Because of the difficulties I’ve faced, I knew this error was no deterrent. I overcame obstacles while navigating life as a low-income student through my passion and ambition. These obstacles taught me the value of an education, inspiring me to attend Platt Tech and dive into IT. Stepping into the next chapter of life with this foundation, I appreciate the opportunities I’ve taken advantage of here. I learned how to code, studied computer science, and even worked with NASA. I’ve gained fundamental skills in programming and engineering, along with valuable lessons in professionalism and leadership. I’ve learned that nothing is out of my reach, which I will remember through college, professional life, and beyond. The difficulties I’ve faced have also inspired me in another way: giving back to my community. I know firsthand there are students like me who lack access to the same resources as those with higher incomes. I’ve founded the robotics club, promoted anti-discrimination activism at school, and more—all in service to my community. I’ve undertaken these activities to improve the experiences of both my classmates today and future students who walk into Platt Tech with the same sweaty palms as I did. Right then, these obstacles inspired me to push past this syntax error. I soon found my mistake was forgetting quotation marks after research. I edited my code, hit “Run” again, and… print(“Hello, World!”) Hello, World!

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, I had no access to technology classes. There were a few computers in my school’s library, but the most I learned was how to play games during break using the arrow keys. I didn’t know how to type or send emails, and I surely didn’t have any of the technology skills I possess today. After leaving that neighborhood and taking computer classes, I became fascinated with technology. I’ve spent countless nights awake studying technology to expand my knowledge further. I enjoy nothing more than breaking down complex concepts in computer science and using them to create. I was so interested in pursuing technology that I made a massive decision for my academic career: I decided to attend a technical school where I could focus on studying Information Technology. In April 2022, I was invited to Houston after being selected as a finalist in the HUNCH program, a program allowing high school students to collaborate with astronauts and engineers to develop products for NASA. I created software that allowed users of all ages and experience levels to design experiments that would be run on the ISS. To earn my finalist distinction, I dedicated dozens of hours to perfecting my program and defended that program in professional meetings with NASA engineers. Participating in HUNCH inspired me to form a robotics club at my school. I realized that not everyone would have the same opportunities to expand their abilities as I have and that some students aren’t in a position to take such an initiative. I wanted to share my love of STEM and leave a genuine impact on my community. I wanted not only to introduce CADD, construction, and engineering to underclassmen but to teach them the skills I had developed through NASA: combining management and technology. I view my HUNCH participation as a product. Defending my designs and prototypes in front of a board, providing analytics, and networking with NASA employees felt akin to proposing an idea to investors interested in my business. I want to share these opportunities for growth without the constraints of my school walls. I plan to create a start-up dedicated to providing underprivileged K-12 students in the Northeast with comprehensive robotics and AI technological education. I’ve surpassed any expectations I held for myself before attending Platt Tech. I have learned fundamental skills in programming and engineering, along with lessons in professionalism and leadership. I’ve learned to program in many languages, such as Python and JavaScript. I work with NASA to design projects that solve real-world issues. I’ve founded a Robotics Club to give underclassmen opportunities to grow their technology skills just as I did. Though I’ll be graduating, my journey is far from over. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in CS. With the technology skills I possess, I know that entering this field is not out of reach. I will carry what I’ve learned through college, my career, and beyond.

Crime has personally affected me throughout my life. When growing up, gang violence, gun violence, and domestic violence were all severe issues in my city. I remember being rushed into the auditorium after someone was shot outside my school’s playground. I remember how devastated I was having to spend recess locked indoors, not yet fully processing the trauma I’d be left with. After leaving that neighborhood, I recognize how nearly I could’ve been a victim of any of these crimes, and that pushes me to give back to my community and support victims in any way I can. Now that I have the opportunity to utilize my technological prowess, I will use it to aid in the fight against crime. Technology is a critical tool in solving and even preventing crime. Advances in forensic technology have already made it possible for cases once thought to remain cold forever to be solved with a simple DNA search. Social media has become a tool as well: digital footprints can locate criminals quickly before they can victimize more people. Experts can recover and analyze criminal data from smartphones and computers. When I enter the engineering field, I will use my knowledge, skills, and resources to advance this crucial technology even further. Forensic technology is a field that is rapidly growing and one that I see myself contributing to in the future. With future advances in this field, we can build a future where no case will be left unsolved and no victim will be left unheard.