Being a first generation student means choosing a path that no one in my family has taken before. It means stepping into higher education without inherited guidance, without financial safety nets, and without the reassurance that someone before me has already figured it out. For me, it represents courage -- the courage to return to school after decades away, to believe in my own potential again, and to build a future that looks different from the one I once thought I had to settle for. My journey has not been simple. I returned to college after raising six children and spending years focused on keeping my family stable. Coming back after so long brought doubt: Would I be able to keep up? Was I too old? Did I still belong in a classroom? On top of that, I had exhausted my Pell Grant eligibility thirty years earlier, which meant navigating higher education without federal grant support. Every quarter has required careful planning, sacrifice, and determination. Despite these challenges, I have persisted. I am currently completing my AAS in Software Development, which I will finish in June 2027, and I have already begun taking classes in the BAS program. Starting upper division coursework early has helped me build confidence and momentum. Each class reminds me why I chose this field: I want to build technology that is accessible, meaningful, and supportive -- especially for people who feel intimidated or excluded by rapid technological change. My dream is to become a software developer who creates tools that genuinely help communities, nonprofits, and families like my own. What drives me is purpose. I want my education to open doors not only for myself, but for my children and grandchildren. I want them to see that growth doesn’t stop at a certain age, and that it is never too late to begin again. I want to achieve financial stability, eventually own a home, and use my skills to serve others. This scholarship would make a profound difference. Without federal grants, tuition is a constant barrier. Scholarships are not just financial support -- they are what allow me to stay enrolled, stay focused, and stay moving toward my goals. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial strain, help me continue my BAS coursework, and bring me closer to long term stability for my family. Being a first generation student means carrying both the weight and the hope of possibility. It means choosing resilience over fear and purpose over doubt. This scholarship would help me continue that journey -- one class, one quarter, one step at a time.

One of the most defining moments in my life happened on an ordinary afternoon in the lobby of Spokane Community College. I had walked in simply to ask a few questions about returning to school after decades away. I expected to feel out of place, too old, or unprepared. Instead, a staff member looked me in the eye and said, “You belong here.” That moment, so small on the surface, set off a chain reaction that reshaped my entire path. For years, I had carried the quiet ache of unfinished goals. Raising six children, navigating a difficult divorce, and working to keep my family stable meant putting my own education on hold. I had convinced myself that returning to school was something other people did, not someone who had been away for twenty years. But that single conversation at SCC cracked open a door I thought had long since closed. I enrolled in one class, then another. Each step built confidence I didn’t realize I had lost. That decision eventually led me to rediscover something I had loved as a teenager: programming. In my first introductory course, the logic, creativity, and problem solving felt familiar, like picking up a language I once knew but hadn’t spoken in years. What began as a tentative return to school quickly became a clear direction. I realized that software development wasn’t just interesting; it was a field where I could build tools that genuinely help people, especially those who feel intimidated by technology the way I once did. The chain reaction didn’t stop there. Returning to school inspired my husband to enroll as well, and together we rebuilt our academic lives from the ground up. I became a mentor to classmates who, like me, were returning to education later in life. I found myself drawn to projects that centered accessibility, community support, and practical problem solving. Every new opportunity traced back to that single moment when someone told me I belonged. That experience shaped my perspective in a lasting way. It taught me that growth often begins with one small act of courage, and that the right encouragement at the right time can change the trajectory of a life. It motivated me to pursue software development not just as a career, but as a way to create tools that open doors for others the way SCC opened one for me. My chosen field is now inseparable from that moment because it reminded me that it is never too late to learn, to rebuild, or to begin again.

My computer science goals are rooted in a desire to build technology that is accessible, meaningful, and human centered. As a Bachelor of Applied Science student in Software Development, I am developing the technical foundation to become a software developer who can design tools that make everyday life easier for people who often feel intimidated or excluded by technology. I am especially drawn to areas like user centered design, full stack development, and systems that support nonprofits or community organizations. Because I returned to school later in life, I bring a different kind of motivation to this field: I am not learning computer science for exploration alone, but to create stability, purpose, and long term opportunity for myself and my family. My academic work - maintaining a 3.99 GPA, completing hands on projects, and pursuing internships - reflects that commitment. Beyond computer science, I have personal goals that shape the kind of professional I want to become. One of my most important long term goals is to achieve homeownership. For many years, raising six children and navigating financial challenges meant putting my own dreams on hold. Returning to school has allowed me to rebuild my confidence and redefine what is possible for my future. Homeownership represents more than a financial milestone; it symbolizes independence, stability, and the ability to create something lasting for the next generation. I also have a strong desire to continue serving my community - especially adults returning to school, women entering STEM fields, and people who feel overwhelmed by rapid technological change. Mentoring others and creating pathways for them to succeed is a core part of who I am. In the future, I see these goals coming together in powerful ways. My background in accounting support, customer service, and leadership gives me a unique perspective on how people interact with systems - and where those systems fail them. I want to use my technical skills to build software that bridges those gaps. Whether it’s developing tools for nonprofits, improving accessibility in digital platforms, or creating applications that help people manage transitions in their lives, I want my work to reflect empathy and practicality. I also hope to eventually take on roles that blend development with mentorship or leadership, supporting others the way I was supported when I returned to school. Combining my computer science goals with my personal goals means building a career that is both impactful and sustainable. A stable role in software development will allow me to support my family, work toward homeownership, and continue growing professionally. At the same time, the work itself will give me the opportunity to contribute to my community in meaningful ways. I want to create technology that empowers people - especially those who, like me, have had to reinvent themselves later in life. Ultimately, my goals in computer science and my goals outside of it are not separate paths but interconnected ones. Both are driven by resilience, purpose, and a desire to build something better - for myself, for my family, and for the communities I care about. My education is giving me the tools to make that future possible, and I am committed to using those tools with intention and integrity.

My life has taken me through early academic setbacks, single motherhood, a difficult divorce, health challenges, and the responsibility of raising six children, including a developmentally delayed adult child who will always be with me. Each chapter shaped my values of perseverance, service, and lifelong learning. These experiences are what led me to pursue higher education at this stage in my life, not only for myself but for the example I want to set for my children and grandchildren. My educational journey began more than 30 years ago when I pursued accounting degrees. I exhausted my Pell Grant eligibility but was unable to complete a bachelor’s degree. I first attended a school that promised transferable credits, only to later discover it was unaccredited. Starting over at community college taught me humility and resilience, and I eventually earned my AA. Soon after, life demanded my full attention. As a single mother navigating a difficult divorce, I put my dreams on hold to support my family. I moved to Portland, OR, worked full-time in corporate accounting, remarried, and focused on raising my children. Later, health issues required me to step away from work and dedicate myself to managing our home. When I returned to Spokane with an almost-empty nest, I felt a renewed sense of possibility. I began refreshing my accounting skills, drawing on my experience at Columbia Sportswear. I discovered I could earn an AAS as a Business Software Specialist, which included a refresher in accounting software and five Microsoft Office certifications. The Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program made it financially possible to return to school, and I enrolled with determination. Everything changed when I took an HTML5/CSS3 course as an elective in Fall 2024. That class reignited a spark I first felt as a 7 year old in Tessera gifted classes, when I learned to program in BASIC. Coding made sense to me then, and it still does now. I realized I didn’t just want to update my skills — I wanted to build a new career. I transferred into the Software Development program the next term. My life experiences have shaped my career aspirations in meaningful ways. Years of supporting my family, navigating complex systems, and advocating for my developmentally delayed child taught me the importance of accessibility, patience, and designing solutions that truly serve people. I want to use my education to build software that helps individuals who often feel left behind — adults returning to school, people with disabilities, and those who struggle with technology. I hope to work in software development where I can combine technical skills with empathy and lived experience to create tools that make a real difference. Community service has always been woven into my life, even when it wasn’t formal. Raising six children, supporting others through difficult transitions, and advocating for my adult child has strengthened my commitment to helping people in my community. As I move into the tech field, I hope to mentor women returning to school later in life and support nonprofits that need accessible, affordable technology solutions. After five terms back in school, I hold a 3.99 GPA and intend to maintain it through graduation. It will take just four terms to complete my BAS, and I have been applying for scholarships and internships to fund it. This scholarship would not only help me finish my degree — it would allow me to transform my personal journey into a source of service and impact. I am ready to use my education to uplift others and to prove that it is never too late to begin again.

Reigniting a Dream: My Journey Back to School For over 20 years, I dreamed of returning to school—but life, finances, and family responsibilities stood in the way. What finally gave me the courage was a combination of rediscovered passion, supportive programs like BFET, and a deep desire to show my children and grandchildren that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. I exhausted my Pell Grant eligibility 30 years ago pursuing accounting degrees but never completed a bachelor’s degree. I first enrolled at a school that promised transferable credits, only to later discover it was unaccredited. So, I started over at the community college, where I earned my AA. Then, as a single mother navigating a difficult divorce, I had to put my dreams on hold to support my family. I moved to Portland, OR, got a full-time corporate accounting job, remarried and settled into a routine life. Later, after some health issues, I quit working and stayed home to manage our home until our children were grown. When I finally had as empty a nest as I was ever going to have (I have a developmentally delayed adult child who will always be with me), I moved back to Spokane. It felt like a new chapter. I looked at refreshing my skills in accounting, drawing on my experience at Columbia Sportswear before stepping away to raise six children. I discovered I could earn an AAS as a Business Software Specialist, which offered a refresher in accounting software and included five Microsoft Office certifications. It felt like a win—if I could get funding. That’s when I found out about the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program that would cover tuition and books so I could get a 2-year degree. I enrolled with renewed determination. I started school at SCC Summer 2024. In Fall 2024, I took HTML5/CSS3, a foundational web design and programming course as an elective and a spark was lit. That spark reignited a love I first felt as a 7-year-old in Tessera gifted classes when I first learned to program in BASIC, a popular language in the 1970s. There is something about coding that just makes sense in my brain, and I love every minute of it. I did some research and found I could transfer to a Software Development program starting next term—and that’s what I did. While my tuition, books and supplies are covered by BFET for the AAS in Software Development, they don’t cover continuing to get my BAS from SCC in Software Development. After five terms back in school, I currently hold a 3.99 GPA and intend to continue that way until graduation. I’ve never been more motivated and excited for the future. After earning my BAS, I hope to work in software development where I can combine my technical skills with my life experience to build tools that make a difference. It will take just four terms to finish my BAS, since I already have many core credits from my AA. I’ve been applying for dozens of scholarships and summer internships to pay for them. I may not be the typical scholarship applicant, but I bring decades of life experience, unwavering determination, and a renewed passion for technology. When I saw this scholarship, I felt like it was meant for me. It would not only help me complete my degree, but it would also affirm that courage, persistence, and passion are always worth investing in. I’m ready to turn this dream into a legacy—and to prove that it’s never too late to begin again.

In elementary school I was in Tessera (Gifted program). One of the things we did as 2nd graders was to learn to code in BASIC. I took to it right away. I was good at logic problems and won most of the programming contests in the class. Since then, every opportunity I’ve had to work with computers and coding I have done so. I have tried many times over the years to complete my education, but life and/or family survival has gotten in the way. I finally have the opportunity to finish a lifelong dream and I’m so excited to do so. I've raised 6 children (one with developmental delays) and am currently raising 2 grandchildren, manage a 3-generational household and keep a 3.99 GPA. I've had a lot of health issues over the years and never thought I'd be at a place where I would be able to go back to school and re-enter the workforce. Now that I've found the right doctors and the right treatment I'm excited to take this journey to finish my degree get a great job and finally buy a house for my family. I've wanted to complete a bachelor’s in computer science for more than 25 years. I received an AAS in computerized Accounting in 1990 only to find out none of my credits were transferable (school was not accredited). I started over and received my AA in 1997. I spent another two years working on prerequisites I could do at the community college before transferring to a 4-year university. I got married and raised kids and when I wanted to return to school they had put a limit on Pell grants. Without that help I was unable to continue. Now with the available resources I’ve found at Spokane Community College I'm trying to finish what I started. When I started at SCC it was with the goal of refreshing my skills and getting an office job in accounting which is what I did long ago. I took two classes in HTML & Web Design as electives for the Business Software Specialist degree and the fire was lit. I looked up the degrees offered for Software development and got excited when I saw that they offered both a 2-year and 4-year degree at SCC. Even my college advisor commented on how just talking about pursuing this degree made me light up. That’s when I knew I had to finish this journey. I want to be an example for my children and grandchildren that it is never too late to follow your dreams. I've already started using the skills I've learned the first 3 terms I’ve been at the community college to help a family member who has started her own business. We set things up with QuickBooks and started to design a website for her business. Whenever I learn something new I think about how I can incorporate it into her design.