Experiencing depression in high school had a big impact on me and shaped the person I am today. During that time, even simple things felt difficult. Getting out of bed, focusing in class, or keeping up with friends became a struggle. It often felt like I was stuck while the rest of the world kept moving. I felt tired and unmotivated, even when I wanted to care. It was a hard time, but it also taught me a lot about myself and my strength. Going through depression made me realize how important mental health is. It showed me that asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength. With the support of my mom, teachers, and close friends, I was able to slowly get better. Their patience and kindness reminded me that I wasn’t alone, even when it felt that way. That experience made me more compassionate and aware of what others might be going through. Now, I try to be more understanding and patient with people, knowing that everyone is fighting their own battles, even if you can’t see it. Dealing with depression also made me stronger and more resilient. Pushing through the hard days taught me that I am capable of handling challenges, even when they seem overwhelming. It showed me that progress doesn’t always happen quickly, but small steps forward still matter. Now, as a student at the College of Charleston, I carry that strength with me. Balancing school, responsibilities, and personal challenges can be tough, but I’ve learned to be kinder to myself. I know when to take breaks, ask for help, and give myself grace when things feel heavy. My experience with depression has also shaped my goals. As a Computer Science major, I want to use technology to help others. Whether it’s creating apps that support mental health or developing tools that make life easier, I want my work to make a positive difference. I know how much it means to feel supported during hard times, and I want to create something that gives others that same kind of comfort. Overall, facing depression was one of the hardest things I’ve been through, but it made me stronger, more empathetic, and more determined. It taught me that healing takes time, but every step forward matters. I carry those lessons with me as I move through college and into the future. I am committed to growing, learning, and using my experiences to help others along the way.

I’m a big fan of Sabrina Carpenter because of her talent, creativity, and the way she connects with her fans. Her music is not only catchy but also meaningful. She sings about real feelings like heartbreak, self-confidence, and growing up. Her lyrics feel honest and relatable. I also admire how she is both a singer and actress, showing her versatility and passion for her craft. Sabrina’s career has had a big impact on me. Her hard work and growth over the years show how important it is to stay determined. Coming from a single-parent household, I’ve seen how much effort it takes to keep going when things are hard. Seeing Sabrina continue to chase her dreams, even when facing challenges, motivates me to stay focused on my own goals. Her music also gives me comfort and motivation. As a type one diabetic, I sometimes go through tough or stressful moments. Listening to her songs helps me relax and feel understood. Her lyrics about being strong and believing in yourself encourage me to keep going, even when managing my condition feels overwhelming. Sabrina’s journey also inspires me as I work toward my own future. I’m majoring in Computer Science at the College of Charleston, and her dedication reminds me to stay committed. Coming from a low-income family, I’m grateful for the scholarships that allow me to be in college. I want to make the most of this opportunity and use my skills to help others. Like Sabrina, I hope to follow my passions and make a positive impact. Overall, Sabrina Carpenter’s career inspires me to keep working hard and stay true to myself. Her music gives me comfort during hard times, and her success reminds me to keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges I face.

I plan to embody the values that Chidubè stood for. While growing up in a single parent household with my mom in Spartanburg, South Carolina I saw how hard she worked to support us. She made many sacrifices to give me the best life she could, and that taught me the importance of working hard and never giving up. Her dedication inspired me to take my education seriously and push myself to succeed. I want to use my success not just for myself but also to give back and help others. Attending the College of Charleston and majoring in Computer Science is a big part of my educational journey. I chose this field because I am passionate about technology and how it can solve real-world problems. As a type one diabetic, I’ve seen how much technology can improve lives. My glucose monitor and insulin pump help me manage my condition and give me more freedom in my daily life. This experience made me want to work in healthcare technology. I hope to use my skills one day to create tools or apps that make life easier for people with chronic conditions. Pursuing academic excellence is very important to me, especially since I come from a low-income family. Scholarships have made it possible for me to attend college, and I am incredibly grateful for that. Knowing how much this opportunity means, I am determined to make the most of it. I plan to work hard in my classes, gain hands-on experience through internships, and continue developing my skills. I know that with focus and dedication, I can build a career that allows me to support myself and give back to my family. Personal growth is also something I strive for. Leaving home for college was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it made me stronger. It taught me how to be more independent, manage my time, and stay disciplined. Even though it was scary at first, it showed me that I am capable of handling challenges. In the future, I hope to follow Chidubè’s example by using my education and experiences to make a difference. Whether it’s through creating healthcare technology or supporting causes that matter to me, I want my work to have a positive impact. I am committed to continuing to grow, learn, and use my skills to give back to my community, just as Chidubè did.

My greatest achievement so far has been leaving home and going to college. Moving away from Spartanburg to attend the College of Charleston was a huge step for me, and honestly, it was pretty scary. Coming from a low-income family, college always felt like a big dream but also a big challenge. Paying for school was a huge concern, but thanks to scholarships, I was able to make it happen. Knowing that my hard work in school helped me earn those scholarships made going to college feel even more meaningful. The days leading up to the move were filled with a lot of anxiety. I kept wondering if I was ready. I was scared about making friends, handling my schedule, and dealing with all the responsibilities of living on my own. The first few weeks were hard. I missed home a lot—simple things like having dinner with my family or hanging out with my old friends. It was tough trying to adjust to a new place while also keeping up with schoolwork and managing my health as a type one diabetic. But over time, things got easier. I started to feel more comfortable and realized I was stronger than I thought. I learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and take care of myself. Balancing classes, social activities, and my health made me more responsible. I also became more confident in handling new situations. Figuring out how to navigate campus, making my own decisions, and sticking to my health routine without my family’s reminders helped me become more independent. This experience also made me even more grateful for the scholarships that made it possible. Knowing how much they’ve helped my family motivates me to keep working hard. It’s also made me realize how important it is to take full advantage of this opportunity—to keep learning, growing, and making the most of my college experience. Looking ahead, I hope to keep pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. Whether it’s applying for internships, working on new projects, or meeting new people, I want to keep challenging myself. Overall, leaving home and starting college was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most rewarding. It taught me that even when I’m scared, I’m capable of adapting, growing, and handling whatever comes my way. It also made me appreciate the support I’ve received even more, and I’m determined to make the most of it.

Hi, my name is Skyler Bishop, and I’m from Spartanburg, SC. I’m currently a Computer Science major at the College of Charleston. I’ve always been fascinated by how technology works and how it can solve real-world problems. My interest in STEM comes from both personal experiences and my curiosity about how technology can make life easier and more efficient. One of the main reasons I’m passionate about technology is because I’m a type one diabetic. Managing this condition is a constant part of my life, but technology has made it so much easier. I use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin pump to control my blood sugar. The CGM tracks my glucose levels in real time and sends updates to my phone, while the pump automatically gives me insulin when I need it. The two devices work together, which helps keep my levels steady. It’s incredible how much simpler this technology has made something that used to be so complicated. Seeing how helpful these tools are made me want to understand the technology behind them. I became really interested in how programming and data science are used in healthcare. For example, the software behind glucose monitors uses algorithms to predict sugar trends. This made me Realize that coding can have such a direct and positive impact on people’s health. Thismade me even more excited to study computer science. My interest in STEM grew even more after a school project where I researched how artificial intelligence is transforming medicine. I was amazed by how AI can analyze large sets of data to catch diseases early or create customized treatments. It made me realize how powerful technology is when it’s used to solve real-world challenges. What I love most about computer science is the endless possibilities. Whether it’s building apps, automating tasks, or improving healthcare, technology has the power to change lives. My experience with type one diabetes has shown me just how meaningful these solutions can be, and it motivates me to be part of creating them. At the College of Charleston, I’m excited to keep learning, develop new skills, and work on projects that combine my love for technology with my personal experiences. One day, I hope to help create or improve technology that makes life easier for people with chronic conditions. I want to use my passion for computer science to make a real difference in people’s lives.

There was a time when I faced a difficult challenge with my Type 1 diabetes that really tested my faith. I was about eight years old, and my blood sugar levels were very hard to control. No matter how much I tried to stick to my routine of checking my blood sugar, taking insulin, and eating healthy, my blood sugar seemed to be all over the place. There were days when it would be too high, and I’d feel exhausted, and other days when it dropped too low, leaving me shaky and dizzy. I felt frustrated, confused, and even scared that I wasn’t doing enough to manage my condition. During this time, I found myself feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. It was one of those moments when I just felt like I was failing and didn’t know how to fix it. That’s when I turned to my faith. I prayed for strength, patience, and guidance, asking for help to get through this difficult time. I remembered that when things seemed tough before, my faith had always given me comfort and the strength to keep going. I spent time praying and reflecting, asking for the courage to trust that everything would work out, even when things felt out of my control. I also reminded myself that it was okay to not have all the answers right away and that I didn’t have to be perfect. Slowly, I began to see that having faith wasn’t just about hoping everything would be okay, it was also about believing that I could get through tough times with strength, patience, and support. One of the things that helped me was reaching out to others who understood what I was going through. I connected with people who had experience with diabetes and learned from their stories. They shared their challenges and how they managed to live with the condition, and hearing their experiences helped me feel less alone. My faith taught me that I could lean on others and trust that I didn’t have to carry the burden of my diabetes by myself. With time, I learned to manage my blood sugar levels better, and I also learned to be kinder to myself. I focused on taking one day at a time, trusting that I would get through each challenge with the strength I had prayed for. It wasn’t always easy, but my faith gave me the peace I needed to keep trying. Looking back, I see that this experience strengthened my faith in ways I didn’t expect. It taught me that no matter how difficult things get, I can always rely on my faith to give me the strength and hope to keep moving forward. Faith helped me find the courage to face my challenges head on and believe that no matter how hard things may seem, I am never alone.