1. I am a 38-year-old mother of two children, currently returning to college to pursue a degree in physics with a concentration in quantum science and computing. I support my family on a single income while balancing school and parenting. Life has not always been easy. I am also a woman in recovery and I’m very proud of my sobriety. My experiences have shaped who I am today and given me a deep sense of purpose and resilience. What motivates me most is my desire to show my children that it is never too late to change your life or pursue your dreams. A moment that stays with me is when my five-year-old son looked up at me and said, “Mommies can’t go to college.” I smiled and told him, “Watch me.” Every day I work toward my degree is a step forward, not just for myself, but for my family. I want my children to grow up knowing that learning is a lifelong process, and that courage and hard work can open any door. If I could do anything with my life, I would dedicate myself to advancing research in quantum computing and to making STEM fields more accessible to women and underrepresented groups. I dream of developing educational programs specifically for mothers and caregivers, offering flexible learning paths and mentorship in STEM. I believe representation matters, and I want to be part of building a future where more women, especially those from low-income or nontraditional backgrounds, feel welcome and empowered in this field. 2. I have always loved the idea that STEM allows us to explore the unknown and turn imagination into reality. When I began studying physics and learned about the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing, I was immediately hooked. The idea that we can now harness the strange behavior of particles at the quantum level to solve problems that were once unsolvable fascinates me. STEM is where science fiction meets the real world. It is where curiosity drives progress. I am excited by how information technology can be used to address global challenges. Whether it is through advances in healthcare, environmental sustainability, or education, technology gives us powerful tools to create positive change. I am especially interested in how quantum computing and data science can be used to optimize systems and uncover new solutions to pressing problems. Beyond contributing to technical advancements, I believe I can make a positive impact by helping to broaden access to STEM education. As a mother, I see firsthand how difficult it can be for women and caregivers to pursue degrees and careers in these fields. I want to create programs and communities where others feel supported, seen, and capable of succeeding. Diversity in STEM is not just a moral goal. It leads to better ideas, more innovation, and more equitable outcomes for everyone. 3. The greatest challenge I have faced was rebuilding my life after addiction. For many years, I struggled with substance use, which affected every part of my life. The decision to seek recovery was one of the hardest I have ever made. It meant confronting my past, letting go of shame, and choosing to move forward in a healthier and more intentional way. I have now been clean and sober for over four years. The process of recovery required me to rebuild my life from the ground up. I became a single mother, supporting my children on one income while managing our household. At the same time, I made the decision to return to school. Financially, this has been difficult. I currently earn about $800 a week, which barely covers our living expenses. We live simply and carefully budget every dollar. Currently, I am fighting through complex red tape to access student aid. Balancing parenting, work, and school is challenging, but I am committed to this path because I know it is building a better future for my family. Recovery also taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of community. I have learned to ask for help when needed, to take life one day at a time, and to approach each new challenge with determination. My experiences have given me a deeper empathy for others who face obstacles on their educational and professional journeys. Pursuing a degree in STEM as a low-income, nontraditional student comes with its own set of challenges. Many days are exhausting, and sometimes it feels like I am carrying the weight of the world. But each small victory reminds me why I started this journey. My children inspire me to keep going. I want them to see that no matter what hardships we face, we can rise above them and create something better. Scholarships like this one would make an enormous difference for me and my family. The financial relief would allow me to focus more on my studies and not worry about my future tuition. It would also give me more time to support my children in their own learning and growth. Ultimately, I want to honor the progress that has already been made for women in STEM and contribute to its continued momentum. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and for the support it offers to students like me who are working to turn their passion and potential into a meaningful career.

When my five-year-old son recently told me, “Mommies can’t go to college,” I smiled and said, “Watch me.” My path to a computer science degree has not been traditional. I am a 38-year-old mother of two, returning to school after many years. I am also a woman in recovery, now sober for over four years. Life has not always been easy, but through it all, I have found a passion that drives me forward. That passion is for the future of technology, and for the limitless possibilities that computer science offers. I first became fascinated by computer science while exploring quantum computing as part of my physics coursework. What amazed me was not just the complex math and algorithms, but the fact that these abstract concepts have the power to change lives in very real ways. From advances in medicine to climate solutions to creating new ways of connecting people, computer science is at the heart of innovation. I began learning to code in my free time, and with every new skill, I felt more empowered. My dream is to one day work in quantum computing or software development, contributing to research and solutions that make the world a better place. I am especially passionate about making technology more accessible to women, parents, and underserved communities. I want others to know that no matter where you come from or what challenges you have faced, it is never too late to start over and learn something new. I believe I am a strong candidate for the Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship because, like Chris, I know what it is like to fight for an education. I am currently navigating the red tape and financial hurdles of returning to college while raising two young children. I understand the value of this opportunity because it is something I have worked hard to reach. More importantly, I strive to embody the same spirit Chris brought to those around him. I try to be present, kind, and supportive to my fellow students. I want to be the person who helps others feel seen and heard, just as Chris did. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me financially, it would also honor Chris’s legacy by supporting someone who is passionate, ambitious, and committed to using this degree to make an impact

There was a time in my life when I believed my future was closed to me. I had experienced trauma, legal battles, addiction, and years of struggle that left me feeling like a shell of the person I could have been. But healing is a journey. Over time, through therapy, recovery, and deep inner work, I rebuilt my life from the inside out. Today, I am a mother of two beautiful active boys and a woman in long-term recovery. For the first time in my life, I believe I can do anything. That belief is what inspired me to return to college at thirty-eight years old. My son once said, "Mommies can't go to college!" I told him, "Watch me!" I want to show my children, and myself, that no matter what you have been through, it is never too late to rise. I am now pursuing a degree in physics with a concentration in quantum science and computing. This might sound like an unusual choice for a mother of two, but to me it is a calling. I have always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and the hidden patterns that govern reality. Going back to school is not just about a career. It is about feeding my soul and fulfilling a purpose I thought I had lost. Of course, the path has not been easy. Beyond the daily challenges of balancing coursework with raising young children, I have faced the lingering echoes of self-doubt from my past. Sometimes the hardest part is believing you deserve a second chance. I am also currently fighting through red tape, including an ongoing appeal to reverse my financial aid suspension from over a decade ago, caused by the turmoil I was living through at the time. Every step forward feels hard won. I manage my roles as both a student and a mother with love, discipline, and grace for imperfection. I plan on waking early to get my kids to school before I head to campus, squeezing in studying and completing assignments between meals, playtime, and bedtime stories. I lean on routines, supportive parents, and the tools of my recovery to keep me grounded. I remind myself every day that the example I set for my children matters more than any grade. I want them to see that growth is always possible, that education is a lifelong gift, and that resilience can turn even the darkest chapters into light. This journey is about so much more than earning a degree. It is about transformation, overcoming adversity, and hope. If chosen for this scholarship, I would use the support to continue proving to my children, and to anyone watching, that it is never too late to rewrite your story.