@idreamofficial

Due to fluctuating income and lack of financial support, when I was only twelve, my family and I were forced to move out of our home and into a low-income community. However, seeing and experiencing such an immense lack of resources at a young age ignited a flame within me. Even then, I felt it was my responsibility to take ownership of my community and give back. Starting young, I began my mission by volunteering at my local church. I helped facilitate food/clothing drives and donated my old clothing to those in need. As I grew and continued my education, I found creative ways to make service a component of every club of which I was a member. This service has recently included partnering with my school's FBLA chapter to organize events that have made, organized, and distributed over two hundred care packages for homeless people in the West End. Although this is one way to address issues in Atlanta, it is also essential to solve problems at the root. One source that leads to generational poverty is the need for more educational equity for under-resourced youth. Thus, I began volunteering at Raising Expectations (RE). RE is a nonprofit youth development organization that aims to aid socially and economically disadvantaged children living in the Westside of Atlanta with their academic and professional goals. For the past five years, I have served as a mentor, tutor, and counselor for African American & Latinx youth ages 7 - 12. Additionally, I have served on initiatives such as the Harvard Diversity Project. I served as a summer instructor and worked to provide Black youth access and exposure to accelerated academic training and civic engagement. Lastly, I am currently a member of the School Governance Board at my high school. I have worked closely with my principal to advocate to stakeholders a plan to restore the reputation of Booker T. Washington High School. As President of my school's SGA, I have implemented a plan to balance and confront the short-term crises we now experience with long-term implications. Over the academic year, we have discussed issues such as healing the parent-school relationship and strengthening the trust of parents and caregivers in our education system to help students achieve academic success. As I look to the future, I plan to continue to use my voice to serve and uplift my community. While quality education remains a key focal point, I am also working to address safety issues near the school. This plan involves working with city officials such as Atlanta City Council Member, Byron Amos, to bridge the gap between the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department and the Atlanta Police Department. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." These words were spoken by former president Barack Obama and they could not ring truer today. Ultimately, I am extremely passionate about using my education in engineering to make a positive impact in my community, and with this scholarship I will be closer to my goal of getting that education.

Due to fluctuating income and lack of financial support, when I was only twelve, my family and I were forced to move out of our home and into a low-income community. Seeing and experiencing such an immense lack of resources at a young age ignited a flame within me. Even then, I felt it was my responsibility to take ownership of my community and give back. Starting young, I began my mission by volunteering at my local church. I helped facilitate food/clothing drives and donated my old clothing to those in need. As I grew and continued my education, I found creative ways to make service a component of every club of which I was a member. This service has recently included partnering with my school's FBLA chapter to organize events that have made, organized, and distributed over two hundred care packages for homeless people in the West End. Although this is one way to address issues in Atlanta, it is also essential to solve problems at the root. One source that leads to generational poverty is the need for more educational equity for under-resourced youth. Thus, I began volunteering at Raising Expectations (RE). RE is a nonprofit youth development organization that aims to aid socially and economically disadvantaged children living in the Westside of Atlanta with their academic and professional goals. For the past five years, I have served as a mentor, tutor, and counselor for African American & Latinx youth ages 7 - 12. Additionally, I have served on initiatives such as the Harvard Diversity Project. I served as a summer instructor and worked to provide Black youth access and exposure to accelerated academic training and civic engagement. Lastly, I am currently a member of the School Governance Board at my high school. I have worked closely with my principal to advocate to stakeholders a plan to restore the reputation of Booker T. Washington High School. As President of my school's SGA, I have implemented a plan to balance and confront the short-term crises we now experience with long-term implications. Over the academic year, we have discussed issues such as healing the parent-school relationship and strengthening the trust of parents and caregivers in our education system to help students achieve academic success. As I look to the future, I plan to continue to use my voice to serve and uplift my community. While quality education remains a key focal point, I am also working to address safety issues near the school. This plan involves working with city officials such as Atlanta City Council Member, Byron Amos, to bridge the gap between the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department and the Atlanta Police Department. I have dedicated myself to transforming communities through service. What better way is there to create change?

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and encouraged me to use my education to serve my beloved community. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. As I grew and learned more about engineering, I not only began to explore a career in engineering but about how I could leverage my personal career to positively impact my community. Traveling and my participation in different activities, led me to notice the major differences between the surrounding communities and my own. For example, the inadequate stormwater management, traffic congestion, and most pressing, the lack of affordable housing that is being exacerbated by the growing population and gentrification. These shortcomings can greatly impact the quality of life for present and future residents. Therefore as I obtain my post-secondary education in Civil Engineering, I plan to develop solutions that will revitalize not only my community but other communities that are also in need of the same assistance if not more. I have many plans that I would like to put into place after I graduate, I first want to develop sustainable designs to combat stormwater runoff because if not managed properly it can have a significant negative impact on water quality, flood control, erosion control, and the environment as a whole. I then want to start working on Atlanta’s city’s traffic congestion issue by improving access to public transportation and promoting alternative modes of transportation, such as biking or walking, which can be achieved through infrastructure improvements like bike lanes or added pedestrian walkways. Most importantly though, I plan to address Atlanta’s lack of affordable housing by developing designs that are cost-effective and sustainable. Not only would construction materials be more affordable, but my recent involvement in Stockbridge’s Real Estate Enrichment Program (REEP) would allow me to optimize land usage by designing housing projects that make efficient use of space, such as multi-story buildings, mixed-use developments, or cluster housing. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Therefore, I look forward to continuing to learn more about engineering and being able to master my craft and advance humanity through the development of better technology.

I am finally the owner of my own tech company after mitigating the stigma around women in STEM, and obtaining my PhD in Mechanical Engineering .

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Some Reputation - Tashyra Lyles In the beginning, God made man, and man and women made me, being who I am, what will that make me? Well, not a black kid in juvy that’s for dang sure, and you won’t find my blood washing up on the shore, from gun violence pouring oceans of blood on the floor Not a statistic But a witness To an implausible truth that white people Just call business And you dang right it’s a business, Of putting my people in a grave and the ones you can’t kill in a prison 400 years and counting, the oppression mounting like the diamond might crack without me Mannnnn I mean I can’t even go to the corner store I can’t even sleep in my bed I can’t even breath I can’t even rest in peace Treyvon Say his name Brianna say her name Floyd say his name Too many guns and too much violence And we haven’t come this far to be silenced By the same generations and the same reputation that white people drive forward without a license I will not push forth such ignorance or call my community innocent when the same lives we’ve been fighting for Are the same ones we load our guns for Put down your gun and get your education Cause right now you’re just soliciting your reputation.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and influenced my decision to declare it as my major. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion, but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. The LEGO League competition led me to carry on my robotics participation throughout middle school, where I would finally determine that mechanical engineering was the career for me. I dove into researching the many opportunities available at the time, and that is when I stumbled upon the West Point STEM Camp. After getting accepted into the program, I traveled to The West Point Military Academy in New York and, while there, participated in a variety of STEM-based workshops ranging from learning how to solder to learning how to code and even creating my own mini robot. Before attending the camp, I was still determining what I wanted to do with my interest in mechanical engineering. However, as the camp progressed, I got the opportunity to see all the exciting ways technology could be used to improve my community and the world. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I want to major in engineering because I want to learn more unique ways in which technology can positively impact the lives of others. I frequently find myself daydreaming about topics like aviation, space exploration, biomedical engineering, and prosthetic innovation. I am currently the captain of the BTW robotics club and am excited to use college as a tool to explore and further my interest. Ultimately I look forward to mastering my craft to advance humanity through the development of better technology.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Due to fluctuating income and lack of financial support, when I was only twelve, my family and I were forced to move out of our home and into a low-income community. Seeing and experiencing such an immense lack of resources at a young age ignited a flame within me. Even then, I felt it was my responsibility to take ownership of my community and give back. Starting young, I began my mission by volunteering at my local church. I helped facilitate food/clothing drives and donated my old clothing to those in need. As I grew and continued my education, I found creative ways to make service a component of every club of which I was a member. This service has recently included partnering with my school's FBLA chapter to organize events that have made, organized, and distributed over two hundred care packages for homeless people in the West End. Although this is one way to address issues in Atlanta, it is also essential to solve problems at the root. One source that leads to generational poverty is the need for more educational equity for under-resourced youth. Thus, I began volunteering at Raising Expectations (RE). RE is a nonprofit youth development organization that aims to aid socially and economically disadvantaged children living in the Westside of Atlanta with their academic and professional goals. For the past five years, I have served as a mentor, tutor, and counselor for African American & Latinx youth ages 7 - 12. Additionally, I have served on initiatives such as the Harvard Diversity Project. I served as a summer instructor and worked to provide Black youth access and exposure to accelerated academic training and civic engagement. Lastly, I am currently a member of the School Governance Board at my high school. I have worked closely with my principal to advocate to stakeholders a plan to restore the reputation of Booker T. Washington High School. As President of my school's SGA, I have implemented a plan to balance and confront the short-term crises we now experience with long-term implications. Over the academic year, we have discussed issues such as healing the parent-school relationship and strengthening the trust of parents and caregivers in our education system to help students achieve academic success. As I look to the future, I plan to continue to use my voice to serve and uplift my community. While quality education remains a key focal point, I am also working to address safety issues near the school. This plan involves working with city officials such as Atlanta City Council Member, Byron Amos, to bridge the gap between the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department and the Atlanta Police Department.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

Within the African American community, ancestral baggage and malevolent influences consistently attempt to stifle the futures of black adolescents. It is not that we lack the voice or manpower capable of eliciting a revolutionary shift in society. In fact, I am convinced that our lack of action is not connected to a lack of recognition, but instead, an inability to relinquish the fear of vulnerabilities tied to perceptions around historical “failure”. With that, our futures can become clouded, myself included, by the tendency to become discouraged in the face of uncomfortable, but also necessary change. For example, when my mother, sister, and I were uprooted from our home and forced to survive without stability, I deeply questioned if we would ever make it to a better life. I questioned if it even made sense to long for, much less strive toward a future I could not yet see. However, with a consistent support system, I eventually developed a vision for my future, not only for myself but also as a first-generation college student. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis, “30% of solo mothers and their families are living in poverty.” Beyond such a problematic statistic, this became my reality in the year of 2017. That is when my family and I were abruptly thrust into poverty. At the time, I was 12 years old and halfway through my first semester of seventh grade when we were forced to move out of our home due to the fluctuating income and lack of financial support. My mother, sister, and I moved from hotel to hotel, attempting to live our lives as though nothing had occurred. While I did my best to carry my reality in silence, the burden eventually became overwhelming. I was in a constant state of anxiety about my future, however, with the continued support of my family I gained a glimpse of hope; a brighter future achieved through academic success. As defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, “grit” is unyielding courage in the face of hardship, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. Although grit has allowed me to persevere through the adversities I have faced thus far, resilience has allowed me to recover from and adapt to these adversities much quicker. In addition to this, I witnessed my mother staying up most nights doing whatever she could to ensure my future. Instealing in me the work ethic and motivation I need to make it into college. What I have learned from the adversities I have faced, is that with a mind and heart that are aligned, I am able to beat the odds formed against me. It cannot go overlooked that I did not accomplish everything on my own. In fact, a great support system has helped me fight a blind combat, against odds that are both invisible and visible; not allowing situations to break me; continuing to move forward in order to reach my future. These moments of resilience have played a vital role in reminding me of my purpose, and have taught me to never let the pity in life alter the perceptions of my future. I used to think that people who complained about the cruelties of the world were ungrateful until I found myself stepping into their shoes. At that time I was forced to recognize those who continued forward with a smile on their face, were actually the strong ones; the near-fatal blows of life are the only thing that can teach you that.

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and influenced my decision to declare it as my major. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion, but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. The LEGO League competition led me to carry on my robotics participation throughout middle school, where I would finally determine that mechanical engineering was the career for me. I dove into researching the many opportunities available at the time, and that is when I stumbled upon the West Point STEM Camp. After getting accepted into the program, I traveled to The West Point Military Academy in New York and, while there, participated in a variety of STEM-based workshops ranging from learning how to solder to learning how to code and even creating my own mini robot. Before attending the camp, I was still determining what I wanted to do with my interest in mechanical engineering. However, as the camp progressed, I got the opportunity to see all the exciting ways technology could be used to improve my community and the world. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I want to major in engineering because I want to learn more unique ways in which technology can positively impact the lives of others. I frequently find myself daydreaming about topics like aviation, space exploration, biomedical engineering, and prosthetic innovation. I am currently the captain of the BTW robotics club and am excited to use college as a tool to explore and further my interest. Ultimately I look forward to mastering my craft to advance humanity through the development of better technology.

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and influenced my decision to declare it as my major. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion, but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. The LEGO League competition led me to carry on my robotics participation throughout middle school, where I would finally determine that mechanical engineering was the career for me. I dove into researching the many opportunities available at the time, and that is when I stumbled upon the West Point STEM Camp. After getting accepted into the program, I traveled to The West Point Military Academy in New York and, while there, participated in a variety of STEM-based workshops ranging from learning how to solder to learning how to code and even creating my own mini robot. Before attending the camp, I was still determining what I wanted to do with my interest in mechanical engineering. However, as the camp progressed, I got the opportunity to see all the exciting ways technology could be used to improve my community and the world. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I want to major in engineering because I want to learn more unique ways in which technology can positively impact the lives of others. I frequently find myself daydreaming about topics like aviation, space exploration, biomedical engineering, and prosthetic innovation. I am currently the captain of the BTW robotics club and am excited to use college as a tool to explore and further my interest. Ultimately I look forward to mastering my craft to advance humanity through the development of better technology.

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and influenced my decision to declare it as my major. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion, but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. The LEGO League competition led me to carry on my robotics participation throughout middle school, where I would finally determine that mechanical engineering was the career for me. I dove into researching the many opportunities available at the time, and that is when I stumbled upon the West Point STEM Camp. After getting accepted into the program, I traveled to The West Point Military Academy in New York and, while there, participated in a variety of STEM-based workshops ranging from learning how to solder to learning how to code and even creating my own mini robot. Before attending the camp, I was still determining what I wanted to do with my interest in mechanical engineering. However, as the camp progressed, I got the opportunity to see all the exciting ways technology could be used to improve my community and the world. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I want to major in engineering because I want to learn more unique ways in which technology can positively impact the lives of others. I frequently find myself daydreaming about topics like aviation, space exploration, biomedical engineering, and prosthetic innovation. I am currently the captain of the BTW robotics club and am excited to use college as a tool to explore and further my interest. Ultimately I look forward to mastering my craft to advance humanity through the development of better technology.