The date was July 4th, 2022. At the pivotal age of 14, I experienced the opportunity to step into the MacDill Air Force Base located in Tampa, Florida. From interacting with cybersecurity professionals who worked at the base to being exposed to the highly advanced security systems, it was certain that suddenly, I understood my calling: to safeguard the digital world and my country by pursuing in cybersecurity. During the fall of 2024, I transferred from Winthrop College Preparatory Academy to Bloomingdale Senior High School to participate in their Air Force Junior ROTC program, which would help with my development in leadership and communication skills, which is crucial for holding a position within the field of cybersecurity. Essentially, cybersecurity professionals are heroes as they perform their duties tirelessly to protect individuals, organizations, and even entire nations from insidious cyber threats. As a child that derives from a single-parent household, with my mother having to work extra hours just to make ends meet, my mother would always tell me one thing: “It is not how you start, but how you finish.” My dedication to STEM and cybersecurity is anchored in various academic and leadership foundations I have built throughout high school. From holding leadership roles—like serving as the National Chinese Honor Society’s secretary and being an Air Force Junior ROTC Top Staff Group Logistics Commander—I learned how to stay organized and manage complex situations. These lessons strengthen my cybersecurity path. Cybersecurity relies heavily on structural organization, managing complex assets, and following strict protocols—skills I practiced daily while managing my Air Force Junior ROTC unit and my National Chinese Honor Society club. While I am currently undertaking studies toward the attainment of my CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate and I prepare to study my cybersecurity major at The University of South Florida, I would like to not only serve and defend my country in honor of my mother, but also spread a message: the sky is the limit. To young girls who may feel that they are not capable or limited based on society’s standards to older women who are challenged in male-dominated careers, I am keen on providing a safe-space as an empowerment tool for women to express their ideas and career milestones, in order to build their skills and confidence, reinforcing the belief in their capabilities to succeed in their chosen fields. Whether the means for this tool involves utilizing open discussions with women sharing their challenges and successes within society, formulating a women’s empowerment club in my local area, or even through advocating for greater rights for women within the workplace, one thing is for certain: I am guaranteed to make a positive impact.

The importance of diverse representation in STEM is a fundamental necessity for innovation, national security, and the empowerment of future generations. For a Black woman pursuing a career in cybersecurity—a field historically dominated by a narrow demographic—the need for varied perspectives is both professional and deeply personal. As someone who transitioned from Winthrop College Preparatory Academy to Bloomingdale Senior High School to participate in the Air Force Junior ROTC program , I have seen firsthand how representation acts as an "empowerment tool" to break through the "society’s standards" that often suggest a young woman's capabilities are limited. Visibility is the first step toward inclusion. Growing up in a single-parent household where my mother worked extra hours to make ends meet, I was raised on the mantra “It is not how you start, but how you finish". However, the "finish" can often feel unreachable if there are no role models to light the way. By achieving academic excellence in societies like Mu Alpha Theta and Rho Kappa, and being recognized among the Top 2% of performers in my Air Force Junior ROTC program, I aim to be that visibility. Representation ensures that young girls and women in male-dominated careers have a "safe-space" to express their ideas and build the confidence necessary to succeed in their chosen fields. Beyond social equity, diversity is a critical asset in "the realm of cybersecurity". Cybersecurity professionals are essentially "heroes" who work tirelessly to protect nations from "insidious cyber threats". These threats are diverse and creative; therefore, the defense must be as well. A workforce that includes different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds brings unique problem-solving approaches to the table. For instance, the journey towards my acceptance into the University of South Florida and my current studies for the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate, along with my pursuit for my cybersecurity degree, are driven by a perspective rooted in resilience and duty, one which is reflective of my social experiences. When we include diverse voices, we eliminate the blind spots that a homogeneous group might overlook, thereby strengthening the "security systems" that protect our country. Ultimately, fostering diversity in STEM is about proving that "the sky is the limit". Whether it is through formulating empowerment clubs or advocating for workplace rights, the goal is to create a meaningful impact that transcends individual success. By pursuing my calling to safeguard the digital world, I am not only honoring my mother’s sacrifices but also ensuring that the next generation of Black women in STEM can see themselves as the future leaders and defenders of our nation. Diversity does not just change the face of STEM; it changes the quality of the solutions we create for a global society.

The digital landscape is the new frontier of national security, a complex web where the safety of individuals and the stability of nations are constantly tested. My desire to pursue a career in STEM—specifically cybersecurity—was ignited on July 4, 2022, during a visit to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Standing at the intersection of advanced technology and national service at age 14, I witnessed firsthand the highly sophisticated security systems and the professionals dedicated to maintaining them. That experience transformed a burgeoning interest into a definitive calling: to safeguard the digital world and defend my country by pursuing cybersecurity. To me, cybersecurity professionals are modern-day heroes who work tirelessly to protect organizations and entire nations from insidious cyber threats. This commitment to service is deeply personal, as I grew up in a single-parent household where I watched my mother work extra hours just to make ends meet. She always instilled in me the mantra: "It is not how you start, but how you finish". Her resilience is the foundation of my ambition; I want to earn my degree and professional certifications, such as the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate I am currently striving for, to not only serve my country but to honor the sacrifices she made. My journey toward my commitment to a cybersecurity degree is also defined by leadership and intentional preparation. Transferring to Bloomingdale Senior High School to participate in the Air Force JROTC program was a strategic step toward my goal of attending the United States Air Force Academy. Through Air Force JROTC and my involvement in honor societies like Mu Alpha Theta and Rho Kappa, I have learned that technical skill must be paired with disciplined leadership. This dedication has earned me recognition as a Veteran of Foreign Wars Award recipient and a Top 2% Performer in Air Force JROTC, reinforcing my belief that I have the aptitude to succeed in a demanding technical field. Beyond technical defense, I intend to use my degree and my platform to uplift my community by dismantling the barriers that women face in STEM. The tech industry can often feel like a space where women are limited by society's standards. I am keen on providing a safe space and empowerment tools for women to express their ideas, share their career milestones, and build the confidence necessary to thrive in their chosen fields. I envision achieving this through several community-focused initiatives, such as formulating a women’s empowerment club in my local area to bridge the gap between young girls and those already navigating their careers. By facilitating open discussions on the unique challenges and successes women experience in society, I hope to foster a culture of transparency and mutual support. Ultimately, I will use my professional standing to advocate for greater rights for women within the workplace, ensuring that the "limitless sky" I believe in is accessible to all. My pursuit for such a complex field like cybersecurity is more than personal achievement; it is about making a life-long difference for society.

The spark that ignited my passion for technology occurred on July 4, 2022, when I was 14 years old. I had the opportunity to visit MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, where I interacted with cybersecurity professionals and was exposed to highly advanced security systems. Witnessing the complexity and critical importance of these systems firsthand, I realized that my calling was to safeguard the digital landscape and my country through the field of cybersecurity. This experience served as the catalyst for my academic and personal roadmap. To align myself with the rigorous standards of the United States Air Force Academy—my ultimate gateway into the field—I transferred to Bloomingdale Senior High School in the fall of 2024. This move allowed me to participate in the Air Force Junior ROTC program, a pivotal step in strengthening the knowledge and leadership skills necessary for a military and technical career. My goals are now firmly rooted in both service and technical mastery; I am currently working toward attaining my CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate, and with my acceptance into the University of South Florida, I can fully study for my major in cybersecurity, ultimately strengthening my expertise within the field. My journey has not been without its hurdles. I come from a single-parent household where I watched my mother work extra hours just to make ends meet. This financial and personal reality could have been a limitation, but my mother’s mantra—"It is not how you start, but how you finish"—became my guiding principle. I have channeled this resilience into my studies, maintaining membership in honor societies like Mu Alpha Theta and Rho Kappa, and earning recognition as a Top 2% Performer in my Air Force Junior ROTC unit, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award, and the Tribune Scholar award, which all recognize dedication and leadership within the educational and community spheres. These accomplishments are what highlight my commitment to cybersecurity, due to the connection of service. I view cybersecurity professionals as heroes who perform their duties tirelessly to serve nations from insidious threats, much like service to education or through helping your community. What excites me most about the future of cybersecurity is the opportunity to change the narrative for women in tech. I am acutely aware of the challenges women face in male-dominated careers, from young girls who feel limited by societal standards to older women facing workplace obstacles. Consequently, I hope to use my career as a platform for empowerment. I intend to provide a safe space for women—whether through local empowerment clubs, open discussions, or workplace advocacy—to express their ideas and build the confidence necessary to succeed. Through cybersecurity, I hope to prove that "the sky is the limit" and make a lasting, meaningful impact on the world.

The date was July 4th, 2022. At the pivotal age of 14, I, Symone McDonald, experienced the opportunity to step into the MacDill Air Force Base located in Tampa, Florida. From interacting with cybersecurity professionals who worked at the base to being exposed to the highly advanced security systems, it was certain that suddenly, I understood my calling: to safeguard the digital world and my country by pursuing in cybersecurity. During the fall of 2024, I transferred from Winthrop College Preparatory Academy to Bloomingdale Senior Highschool to participate in their Air Force Junior ROTC program, which would furthermore give me the chance to strengthen my knowledge and skills to prepare for the United States Air Force Academy, which would thus guide me into the field of cybersecurity. Essentially, cybersecurity professionals are heroes as they perform their duties tirelessly to protect individuals, organizations, and even entire nations from insidious cyber threats. As a child that derives from a single-parent household, with my mother having to work extra hours just to make ends meet, my mother would always tell me one thing: “It is not how you start, but how you finish.” Throughout my high school journey, I have held membership in several honor societies, including Mu Alpha Theta and Rho Kappa, and have displayed excellence as an exemplary leader in my Air Force Junior ROTC unit, honored with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award and the United States Air Force AFJROTC Top 2% Performers Recognition. While I am currently undertaking studies toward the attainment of my CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate, I would like to not only serve and defend my country in honor of my mother, but also spread a message: the sky is the limit. To young girls who may feel that they are not capable or limited based on society’s standards to older women who are challenged in male-dominated careers, I am keen on providing a safe-space as an empowerment tool for women to express their ideas and career milestones, in order to build their skills and confidence, reinforcing the belief in their capabilities to succeed in their chosen fields. Whether the means for this tool involves utilizing open discussions with women sharing their challenges and successes within society, formulating a women’s empowerment club in my local area, or even through advocating for greater rights for women within the workplace, one thing is for certain: I am certain to make a meaningful impact.

Learning to drive is not just about getting from point A to point B; it is about gaining independence, expanding your horizons, and mastering a vital life skill, and on a chill September day, I remembered the incident plain as day. Our class had just entered the gravel area of the driver's education lot at our school, and we were preparing to practice our reversing skills in our six different groups. In my group, we started cautiously, each student meticulously adjusting the steering wheel, constantly checking the mirrors, and painstakingly guiding the vehicle backward in a controlled manner under the watchful eye of our instructor. Then, after my turn, it was one of my peer's turns to switch. She was relatively shy when she had the wheel and would regularly be bullied and cursed at by a group of kids in a nearby vehicle. As I peered through the car mirror, I could see tears in her eyes as they belittled her while she was trying her best. I had enough. After lessons, I took it up with my instructor and informed him on how this group of kids would constantly make fun of my peer while she was trying to perfect her driving skills. The next day and so on, I heard no more yelling or cursing from that group anymore, and my peer began to progress sufficiently and more confidently in her driving. I firmly believe that it is vital to safeguard individuals, especially the youth, from the dangers of bullying online and in person in order to create a caring environment where those who feel vulnerable know that they are loved and valued, free from fear and intimidation. In person, I have been involved in numerous anti-bullying programs that comprise teaching the youth on how to spot and combat bullying both online and in person, utilizing guest speakers, and participating in group activities that aim to build healthy, confident bonds within the youth. When I encounter cyberbullying online, I minimize the act by promoting positivity, informing a trusted guardian, reporting content, and being open as a tool for the victim to receive emotional support. Witnessing the vulnerability of people, especially youth, to societal dangers and threats fueled my passion for cybersecurity, inspiring me to pursue a career protecting individuals in the digital realm. While I am currently undertaking studies toward the attainment of my CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certificate, I am faced with financial challenges. As a child that derives from a single-parent household, with my mother having to work extra hours just to make ends meet, the expenses of college, including tuition, books, and housing adds immense pressure not only to my mother but also to my future. However, despite the financial challenges we face, my mother would always tell me one thing: “Believe in yourself, give your best, and do not give up.” Throughout my high school journey, I have held membership in several honor societies, including Mu Alpha Theta and Rho Kappa, and have displayed excellence as an exemplary leader in my Air Force Junior ROTC unit, honored with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award and the United States Air Force AFJROTC Top 2% Performers Recognition. In addition, I am applying for numerous scholarships and part-time jobs while juggling extra classes and budgeting for my senior year. Receiving this scholarship will not only provide me financial aid for my academic goals but will allow me to continue being a positive light that shelters those that are vulnerable to the tactics of bullying, especially the youth. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and compassionate community.