The USS Enterprise starship enters the screen, navigating through the darkness of cosmic space, lit only by far-off twinkling stars. Captain Kirk starts his voice-over with, “Space. The final frontier.” At the end of the opening credits, a woman sings a high opera note, and the Star Trek Original Series episode begins. I remember the day, six years ago, when my mother insisted I watch a Star Trek episode with her because she had been in love with the character of Captain Kirk when she was a teenager my age. By the end of the episode, I was the one hooked. The idea of exploring unknown frontiers fascinated me -- not just through starships, but through the systems that powered them. What intrigued me most was the intricate “brain” behind them, the logic and structure that controlled vast technology with precision -- the software. The television series inspired me to enroll in online computer science classes during middle school and high school. I wanted to understand how to write my own algorithms. To my mother’s displeasure, my desk was often messy with various algorithms I wrote for different programs, like a simulation of a bank with different accounts, which my sisters and I once used to manage our finances before we got a Greenlight credit card. In high school, I studied physics, both through classes and through clubs, and participated in programs about aerospace engineering, such as the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) at Johns Hopkins, striving to learn how to apply computer science to rockets. At Penn State, I’ve used my major’s Computer Science resources to found Parkner, a soon-to-launch mobile app that connects amusement park visitors. Working with a small team, I’ve led its development from concept to early-stage design. The project has taught me more than just coding; it has shown me how to lead, solve real problems, and translate an idea into a working product. After graduation, my dream is to work in product development or software engineering at a company focused on building technologies that connect and empower people -- whether that’s in transportation, space tech, or civic applications. Eventually, I hope to launch my own startup, innovating cutting-edge algorithms that combine efficiency, accessibility, and creativity, and make a good impact. I believe I’m a strong candidate for this scholarship not only because of my academic dedication -- maintaining a 3.61 Cumulative GPA and making the Dean’s List -- but also because I bring initiative, enthusiasm, and a commitment to meaningful innovation. For me, choosing Computer Science means choosing to follow my passion for building digital solutions that help shape a better world for future generations. With the support of this scholarship, I’ll continue pushing boundaries and building technology that improves people’s lives. And while my final frontier might still be out there, I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore it.