As a first-generation college student, the entire college application process was a struggle to complete independently. At the time, my biggest concern was paying for college, and pressure from my parents to pursue a major that may not be my passion, but it would bring me and them financial security. I chose DePaul University, a private Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois. During orientation, I quickly realized that I stuck out like a sore thumb; A Muslim, brown woman, who didn't come from the lavish lifestyle that the other kids were accustomed to. Despite our cultural differences, where I grew up, we all shared similar financial struggles, had experience with losing a family member to gun violence, and had low expectations for ourselves due to where we were raised. When I decided to leave for college, I knew that it would be difficult to find that same acceptance anywhere else, but I hadn't expected it to be this difficult, especially with my financial restrictions. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. The only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school. I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering mentorship and internship opportunities for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Winning this scholarship would ease my financial burdens, allowing me to focus on my rigorous studies and pursue the opportunities that will shape my academic, professional, and community goals.

I display entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, scholarly engagement, curiosity, and academic excellence through the way I approach both my education and my community. I plan on pursuing a degree in mathematical computer science because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily lives, and I am exhilarated by the competition and the wide array of career paths this degree can open. After gaining industry experience and saving money, I hope to create my own start-up in data analytics, an entrepreneurial step that will also allow me the flexibility to dedicate time to my community service. My passion for innovation and community stems from where I was raised. Growing up in Harvey, IL, a south suburb of Chicago with a high crime rate and scarce resources, I saw firsthand how a lack of opportunity can hold people back. Yet, I also witnessed the power of grassroots innovation. My uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development (CITCD), a small school where immigrant children could find belonging and support. I have volunteered at CITCD since its founding, helping students gain confidence and a well-rounded education. What started in a small building has now become a vital resource, showing me how vision and persistence can transform a community. The only exposure to STEM I had was one introductory class in high school. I had to seek out resources on my own, such as Girls Who Code, to deepen my knowledge and fuel my curiosity about computer science. These self-driven efforts reflect my determination to excel academically, even when resources were scarce. Because of these experiences, I want to make the STEM field more accessible to students like me. I plan to create summer programs and internships for local youth to explore STEM, along with after-school programs at my high school that combine hands-on learning with mentorship. I also want to establish scholarships for students who, like myself, struggle to afford college but have the ambition to succeed. Beyond academics, I hope to address the stigma around mental health in my community. Too often, young people turn to violence or drugs to cope, while educational and professional goals are dismissed as unattainable. By creating safe spaces where students can heal and learn, I want to break this cycle. My vision extends to building a new community center that unites our divided neighborhoods, provides educational resources, and sparks economic growth. I believe that real change must come from within, and I see myself as part of that solution. By combining my academic pursuits in mathematics and computer science with my entrepreneurial drive, I hope to empower others to break barriers and believe in their potential. Winning this scholarship would ease my financial burdens, allowing me to focus on my rigorous studies and pursue the opportunities that will shape my academic, professional, and community goals. More importantly, it would help me continue embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, curiosity, and excellence as I work toward a future where students like me can thrive.

As a child, I was a passionate and avid reader. I was at the public library every weekend checking out new books until I had gone through every appropriate book for a 10-year-old. By the beginning of middle school, I had finished the Harry Potter series. I lived and breathed books, and reading expanded my vocabulary and my mind at a very young age. Eventually, I grew up and lost my passion for reading due to lack of time and having read through my library. BookTok came into my life at a critical point during high school. The first BookTok recommendation I read was It Ends With Us, a cliche, I know. However, it was the book that got me out of my reading slump, and I will forever appreciate it for that. I began to read other BookTok recommendations such as Verity, The Song of Achilles, the Twisted series by Ana Huang, The Silent Patient, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, the ACOTAR series, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I have read many more since then, but these are my must-haves for new BookTok members. My ideal bookshelf is inspired by Steph Bohrer, a popular BookToker. I'd have my books in a dedicated room for reading, preferably moody and filled with plants. They'd be organized by my read books versus my TBR, but I would want it to look lived in and surrounded by little trinkets and pictures. I want my library room to be my safe space, as I have to currently read at night once I can get a little privacy and quiet. I annotate my books and make sure they look loved and lived-in, so I can pass them down in the future. Although BookTok has introduced many people to reading and helped authors get recognized, the community itself has become toxic. I have noticed that you can't critique, discuss, or analyze a book based on plot depth and writing ability due to the hive mind mentality over certain books and authors. Books are pieces of media meant to be analyzed from different perspectives, and I believe certain popular titles blind readers from other opinions. I am all for a feel-good book, but recent book releases seem like a money grab and the quality overall has decreased. Books are advertised by their tropes and smut scenes, rather than being known for their plot and character depth. I love the reading renaissance and the BookTok community as it brings readers together, but it has become difficult to find books there that made me fall in love with reading. Despite my small rant, I do believe that BookTok has promoted reading, and book expectations vary per reader. I feel anything that makes people pick up a book is a good thing. I have used BookTok to revive my passion for books and still use it to find hidden gems and undiscovered authors. What truly defines commercial or literary fiction is subjective, and romance novels, my personal favorite, help empower women and give them hope for their own love lives. BookTok has done far more good than harm and continues to introduce diverse groups of people to share a love for reading.

Mental health is a taboo topic in my community because there is this idea among them that they have to remain tough and resort to violence and drugs to gain respect. It's aIso difficult as an Indian Muslim to have family members take mental health seriously. My journey to understanding my mental health and understanding how to optimize it began at a very young age. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Grief, violence, identity crisis, and imposter syndrome have plagued me for years, but I continue to push myself to get a degree and become successful because I have a chance in life that my cousin didn’t get. I have practiced meditation and different yoga exercises to help me navigate my emotions, but the most useful emotion I have is anger and passion. Anger at our circumstances which has fueled my passion to change our narrative. It has taught me gratitude and reminded me to remain patient because life is a series of lessons and mistakes that will ultimately help you succeed. Most kids here have no drive because they are constantly reminded of their background and race being used as weapons against them in the real world. The only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, so I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. A major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. They don't believe in speaking up about their mental health and self-sabotage with different vices. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. In college, I plan on majoring in mathematics & computer science to allow me to finance my future aspirations. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

Mental health is a taboo topic in my community because there is this idea among them that they have to remain tough and resort to violence and drugs to gain respect. It's aIso difficult as an Indian Muslim to have family members take mental health seriously. My journey to understanding my mental health and understanding how to optimize it began at a very young age. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Grief, violence, identity crisis, and imposter syndrome have plagued me for years, but I continue to push myself to get a degree and become successful because I have a chance in life that my cousin didn’t get. I have practiced meditation and different yoga exercises to help me navigate my emotions, but the most useful emotion I have is anger and passion. Anger at our circumstances which has fueled my passion to change our narrative. It has taught me gratitude and reminded me to remain patient because life is a series of lessons and mistakes that will ultimately help you succeed. Most kids here have no drive because they are constantly reminded of their background and race being used as weapons against them in the real world. The only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, so I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. A major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. They don't believe in speaking up about their mental health and self-sabotage with different vices. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. In college, I plan on majoring in mathematics & computer science to allow me to finance my future aspirations. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora and I was raised in Harvey, IL, in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am majoring in mathematical computer science and cybersecurity at DePaul University. was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Grief, violence, identity crisis, and imposter syndrome have plagued me for years, but I continue to push myself to get a degree and become successful because I have a chance in life that my cousin didn’t get. Most kids here have no drive because they are constantly reminded of their background and race being used as weapons against them in the real world. My only exposure to the STEM industry was an introductory class in high school, so I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Thus, success to me looks like giving back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Success doesn't always mean much when it isn't fulfilling. Economic success is something that everyone aspires to achieve, but I understand the way money can be used to gain resources and can make a difference in someone else's life. I will feel successful when others, specifically my community, can succeed alongside me. This opportunity provides me the means to achieve my academic and career goals which in turn will be used to help me achieve success.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora and I was raised in Harvey, IL, in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am majoring in mathematical computer science and cybersecurity at DePaul University. I have always been interested in technology and even sought out different organizations like Girls Who Code online to learn coding due to the lack of resources in my low-income community. Many of my peers interested in technology couldn't explore it any further because there were no opportunities presented to us. The lack of resources eventually led to any aspirations fizzling out, and students returning to the life of violence they were accustomed to. I was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. The most important thing to me is presenting opportunities to those with the potential to create something revolutionary but lack the resources and investment. I hope to be part of a movement that will hopefully inspire others to come back and invest, not only financially, but in a mentorship position to the other kids. Despite the lack of belief others have in my success, I am passionate about the city that I grew up in and the community and life that my family has built for themselves. I hope to be a part of that growth by using my degree to bring back life to the residents and businesses in the city.

I was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Grief, violence, identity crisis, and imposter syndrome have plagued me for years, but I continue to push myself to get a degree and become successful because I have a chance in life that my cousin didn’t get. I have practiced meditation and different yoga exercises to help me navigate my emotions, but the most useful emotion I have is anger and passion. Anger at our circumstances which has fueled my passion to change our narrative. It has taught me gratitude and reminded me to remain patient because life is a series of lessons and mistakes that will ultimately help you succeed. Most kids here have no drive because they are constantly reminded of their background and race being used as weapons against them in the real world. The only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, so I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. In college, I plan on majoring in mathematics & computer science to allow me to finance my future aspirations. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora and I was raised in Harvey, IL, in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am majoring in mathematical computer science and cybersecurity at DePaul University. I have always been interested in technology and even sought out different organizations like Girls Who Code online to learn coding due to the lack of resources in my low-income community. Many of my peers who were interested in technology couldn't explore it any further because there were no opportunities presented to us. The lack of resources eventually led to any aspirations fizzling out, and students returning to life of violence they were accustomed to. I was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. The most important thing to me is presenting opportunities to those with the potential to create something revolutionary but lack the resources and investment. I hope to be part of a movement that will hopefully inspire others to come back and invest, not only financially, but in a mentorship position to the other kids. Despite the lack of belief others have in my success, I am passionate about the city that I grew up in and the community and life that my family has built for themselves. I hope to be a part of that growth by using my degree to bring back life to the residents and businesses in the city.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora and I was raised in Harvey, IL, in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am majoring in mathematical computer science and cybersecurity at DePaul University. I have always been interested in technology and even sought out different organizations like Girls Who Code online to learn coding due to the lack of resources in my low-income community. Many of my peers who were interested in technology couldn't explore it any further because there were no opportunities presented to us. The lack of resources eventually led to any aspirations fizzling out, and students returning to life of violence they were accustomed to. I was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. The most important thing to me is presenting opportunities to those with the potential to create something revolutionary but lack the resources and investment. I hope to be part of a movement that will hopefully inspire others to come back and invest, not only financially, but in a mentorship position to the other kids. Despite the lack of belief others have in my success, I am passionate about the city that I grew up in and the community and life that my family has built for themselves. I hope to be a part of that growth by using my degree to bring back life to the residents and businesses in the city.

Sports have been the glue that binds my family together. Unlike Michael Jordan, who I have never seen play, LeBron was the athlete I grew up watching with my dad. His career accomplishments have solidified him as the greatest basketball player of all time, but his life outside of basketball has made me an even greater fan. His dedication to improving his community resonate with me. Similarly to LeBron, I am passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. The most important thing to me is presenting opportunities to those with the potential to create something revolutionary but lack the resources and investment. I hope to be part of a movement that will hopefully inspire others to come back and invest, not only financially, but in a mentorship position to the other kids. LeBron has never forgotten about his community despite his fame. His loyalty to his family and being a present husband and father is unlike any other athlete. Leaving a successful Miami team to give Cleveland a ring with much difficulty due to his opponents demonstrates his commitment to his city. Constantly providing for education and opening up his own school shows his multifaceted personality. His athleticism and longevity are inspiring, and no athlete will come close to accomplishing what he has done for the game of basketball.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora and I was raised in Harvey, IL, in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I also help collect clothing donations and other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to less fortunate families to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with for as long as I can recall. My volunteering skills developed due to the need and passion to make a lasting, positive impact on my community. The more I involved myself, the further my passion was fueled and my future aspirations unyielding. I was always passionate about helping my community. I have lost friends and family members to gun violence and have seen the horrors of gang violence firsthand as it impacted bright-minded individuals. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. A couple of monumental incidents occurred that invigorated my passion even more. The first incident was my cousin’s death due to gun violence. Although traumatic on its own, the most painful thing was seeing those involved in his attack were young men, one barely being a teen. The use of violence has become so normalized in my community that my nephews can’t play outside in our yard without cars driving by shooting at random houses and cars. Many families live in a violent cycle and don’t have the financial means to get out or encourage their children to pursue higher education. Another incident was my high school being threatened by gun violence by someone I knew personally. When I look around my community, I see more than the violence. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. The most important thing to me is presenting opportunities to those with the potential to create something revolutionary but lack the resources and investment. I hope to be part of a movement that will hopefully inspire others to come back and invest, not only financially, but in a mentorship position to the other kids. Despite the lack of belief others have in my success, I am passionate about the city that I grew up in and the community and life that my family has built for themselves. I hope to be a part of that growth by using my degree to bring back life to the residents and businesses in the city.

I plan on pursuing a mathematics & cybersecurity degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. I want to improve the future using technology by investing in sustainability and using the power of the media. Educating the public on the harmful effects of consumer culture is also imperative to creating a sustainable environment. As someone committed to creating a difference in the world, I believe that my STEM skills can be used to find sustainable solutions. I want to invest in learning about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, neuromorphic computing, spatial computing, etc. By focusing on the future of technology, the unimaginable becomes possible. By sharing and engaging with engineers around the world, change and innovation can be facilitated. However, the main change begins in our communities and encouraging the next generation to take great leaps as well. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a huge passion of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. The more kids that complete their education, the more small businesses and knowledge our community will have. Having this weight on my shoulders of paying my tuition and excelling in such a difficult field has been stressful. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my professional goals.

My name is Uzmaa Vhora, and I am an undergraduate majoring in cybersecurity and mathematics. I was born and raised in Harvey, IL, located in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. We have recently begun offering health and burial services and a drug abuse and violence prevention program available to anyone in need. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I also help collect clothing donations and other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to the fortunate families to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with for as long as I can recall. The spirit of giving has impacted me personally by allowing me to continue evolving my plans. Through my volunteering, I have found a medium where I can incorporate the spirit of giving with my future career. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. In college, I plan on majoring in mathematics & cybersecurity to allow me to finance my future aspirations. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

From migrating to America with nothing, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families, along with mine, are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Although I was born here, I too have struggled with discrimination and fear whenever I wear cultural clothing or speak in my native language. As a Muslim, I wore a headscarf for a few years but had multiple people taking images of me without it when we changed in the locker room and even attempted to snatch it off my head when we were alone. That led to me completely removing it due to wanting to fit in and having an identity crisis about whether or not I belonged. To help other young kids not experience what I felt, I volunteer at CITCD, a small school where Muslims of all races can gain knowledge without the fear of persecution. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I hope to use my education to help fund more programs like this along with being a mentor to all the kids in my under-resourced community. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. In college, I plan on majoring in mathematics & computer science to allow me to finance my future aspirations. Having this weight on my shoulders of paying my tuition along with excelling in such a difficult field has been stressful. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress during college and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my professional goals.

Coming from a discriminatory, low-income, high-crime neighborhood hasn’t been without its challenges. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Although I was born here, I too have struggled with discrimination and fear whenever I wear cultural clothing or speak in my native language. As a Muslim, I wore a headscarf for a few years but had multiple people taking images of me without it when we changed in the locker room and even attempted to snatch it off my head when we were alone. That led to me completely removing it due to wanting to fit in and having an identity crisis about whether or not I belonged. To help other young kids not experience what I felt, I volunteer at CITCD, a small school where Muslims of all races can gain knowledge without the fear of persecution. My uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development so that kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. My Muslim identity has taught me patience and reminds me to lead my life using the narration of our Prophet's mannerisms and how he overcame his struggles. It has also inspired me to bring about change in our community and remove negative stereotypes towards Muslim women and encourage them to pursue higher education. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to others who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to focus my efforts on my academics and allow me to achieve my goals faster. Many don't have the financial means to go to university, and I hope that in the future, I can support my community in a meaningful way through financial and knowledgeable support.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. I want to improve the future using technology by investing in sustainability and using the power of the media. Educating the public on the harmful effects of consumer culture is also imperative to creating a sustainable environment. As someone committed to creating a difference in the world, I believe that my STEM skills can be used towards finding sustainable solutions. STEM students should invest in learning about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, neuromorphic computing, spatial computing, etc. By focusing on the future of technology, the unimaginable becomes possible. By sharing and engaging with engineers around the world, change and innovation can be facilitated. My goals post-graduation include working in the industry before creating my start-up in data analytics. I also aim to create opportunities for those in my community and hopefully more with my success. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Additionally, the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. This scholarship will help me pursue my goals faster and remove some financial burden to allow me to pour myself into my academic and career goals.

Coming from a discriminatory, low-income, high-crime, neighborhood hasn’t been without any challenges. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Although I was born here, I too have struggled with discrimination and fear whenever I wear cultural clothing or speak in my native language. As a Muslim, I wore a headscarf for a few years but had multiple people taking images of me without it when we changed in the locker room and even attempted to snatch it off my head when we were alone. That led to me completely removing it due to wanting to fit in and having an identity crisis about whether or not I belonged. To help other young kids not experience what I felt, I volunteer at CITCD, a small school where Muslims of all races can gain knowledge without the fear of persecution. My uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development so that kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. My identity as a member of an underrepresented minority group along with being from a high-crime, low-income community will always motivate me and be the driving force to push me to live out my ambitions and give back to them after my success.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. One of these pillars has been serving each other by encouraging higher education. The cost of college takes its toll on many families, including mine. As a Muslim and Indian woman, the cultural expectations make the cost feel even more burdensome, as the women don't pursue a higher education and take care of their homes. My future plans include encouraging female education within my demographics through financial help when I am well established. Additionally, growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. This scholarship will allow me a chance at financing my college education and give me a chance at achieving my goals quicker.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. I plan on working for a few years to gain knowledge of the industry and save up some money to create my own start-up in data analytics to hopefully inspire and support my community to also overcome their fears and get a higher education. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. The city has struggled with poverty issues since as long as I can recall. I chose a career in STEM not only because I am passionate about it, but because it is extremely rewarding as well. I want to inspire kids who are in the same place I was to take charge of their own life and remove themselves from this cycle of violence. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. The only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life.

I became interested in pursuing a computer science degree from a very young age because I saw how quickly technology had advanced from my youth to teen years. My sister also pursued a computer sciecne degree and her passion and success with it inspired me to seek out my own journey in the STEM field. Despite living in an impoverished city, I found resources online such as Girls Who Code and Google courses to fuel my passion. I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. After college, I plan on working for a few years to gain knowledge of the industry and save up some money to create my start-up in data analytics. I want to be able to use my degree to invest in my city and increasing the STEM resources that they offer. a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Despite there being many applicants, I believe my future goals of improving my community best align with this scholarship. Winning it would alleviate a great deal of financial stress and allow me to be my most innovative self along with giving me support to begin my goals early.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. My academic goals consist of being a present and interactive student to display a clear understanding of the material. During college, I plan on doing internships to gain experience and build a vast network. This will aid in my transition into my career where I plan on working for a few years to gain knowledge of the industry and save up some money to create my start-up in data analytics. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay and offer health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I also help collect clothing donations along with other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to the less-fortunate families in order to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with since as long as I can recall. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Additionally, the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. I understand the value of money as someone who has seen life without much of it, and winning this scholarship would assist me and my family gravely with my college tuition along with giving me a boost towards acheiving my goals earlier.

As an avid Harry Potter fan, I always believed I was a Gryffindor: chivalrous, determined, and self-sacrificing. Being a Slytherin was always seen as something negative among other Harry Potter fans. They tended to be shrewd and selfish, and even Voldemort was a Slytherin. However, as I grew up and experienced hardships, I realized I have always been a Slytherin. Growing up in a Muslim Indian community, my more liberal mindset was always denied. I grew up with a stern father who is definitely a Slytherin, and I was always the black sheep of the family. In times of feeling like an outsider, I always turned to Harry Potter and felt myself drawn to Draco's personality. His upbringing was similar to mine, having to follow in his family's footsteps, and he was also expected to act a certain way. I believe my self-preservation skills and ambition mostly reflect the characteristics of Slytherin. I have this need to prove myself because everyone is waiting for me to fail so that I can fulfill the destiny of homemaker that many women in my culture become after leaving behind their passions. My need for power due to my circumstances also makes me relate to a young Tom Riddle. My antisocial behavior from being isolated from my family as a child lead me to desire my own company. I have pride that is seen as having a huge ego because I don't allow the men in my family to control my life. My surroundings growing up in a high-crime, low-income community and having family members killed in robberies have created animosity within me toward my city. However, unlike Voldemort, I understand the plight of my community and want to change it because it is where I was raised here. My characteristics as a Slytherin drive me to be ruthless in breaking down cultural barriers and becoming a leader within my community. I want to create STEM programs in my city for kids to have an opportunity to become successful instead of being sucked into this cycle of violence and homelessness that many have faced for years. Being calculating and resourceful will allow me to reach my goals faster and face any obstacle with strength and fierceness. Being a Slytherin has always been viewed as being cold and heartless. However, I believe Gryffindor consists of naivety and being trusting. With the life I have lived and the goals that I pursue, I have to carry myself like a Slytherin.

I've always had a strong determination to create change from a young age growing up as a Muslim and Indian immigrant in a high-crime city. I have faced discrimination from when I wore a headscarf and received verbal threats to the point of forcing me to assimilate into the Western culture. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I also help collect clothing donations along with other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to less-fortunate families to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with for as long as I can recall. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. The opportunities that many of us were given were extremely unequal and have made me work twice as hard for resources. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life.

I am an Indian American first-generation student who has struggled with cultural expectations and other obstacles. My father has always been hesitant towards allowing me to have a higher education and the community I live in is filled with high crime. The burden I feel as a Muslim woman has motivated me to pursue a computer science major and give back to the women and children in my community who weren't allowed the privilege to get an education. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I also help collect clothing donations along with other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to less fortunate families to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with for as long as I can recall. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Although this is a large passion of mine, the financial stress of paying for tuition has pushed those aspirations to the back of my mind. The money from this scholarship will allow me to focus on my academics and achieve my goals faster.

The dream version of my future self consists of giving back to my parents and creating opportunities in the STEM industry for the youth in my community.

Coming from a discriminatory, low-income, high-crime, neighborhood hasn’t been without any challenges. I was raised in Harvey, IL, which is in the south suburbs of Chicago. From coming here with nothing and having no support, our community of Indian and Muslim immigrants has grown exponentially. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Although I was born here, I too have struggled with discrimination and fear whenever I wear cultural clothing or speak in my native language. As a Muslim, I wore a headscarf for a few years but had multiple people taking images of me without it when we changed in the locker room and even attempted to snatch it off my head when we were alone. That led to me completely removing it due to wanting to fit in and having an identity crisis about whether or not I belonged. To help other young kids not experience what I felt, I volunteer at CITCD, a small school where Muslims of all races can gain knowledge without the fear of persecution. My uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development so that kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. I plan on majoring in mathematical computer science because technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. I am also passionate about sustainability and confidentiality and want to make a large impact in the field by communicating and creating change for the better.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. I am also the daughter of immigrants residing in a high-crime, low-income community. Due to language and cultural barriers, many families are harassed and are more vulnerable to being victims of violence in the city. Therefore, my uncle founded the Center of Islamic Teachings and Community Development, a small school where kids can assimilate into the community and feel a sense of belonging. I have volunteered at CITCD since it was founded to help children become productive and have a well-rounded education. We accept students regardless of their ability to pay. Recently, we have begun offering health and burial services along with a drug abuse and violence prevention program. Although the center has grown in its resources, it began as a small building for the community to gather and serve each other by navigating through problems and being pillars for each other. I am also an active member in politics within our city and assisted my uncle with his campaign to become the first Asian alderman in the city. I also help collect clothing donations along with other necessary resources to send to women and refugee shelters. In high school, I was a part of the urban farming club where we planted and donated fresh produce to the less-fortunate families to combat the poverty issues that the city has struggled with for as long as I can recall. My experiences growing up in an unstable city with a high crime rate have motivated me to help change our narrative. My education is a tool I have that will help me create progress in our community and help the youth who don't envision a successful future for themselves. Professionals and politicians in the city don't believe in them and their chances at success. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. I want to give to seniors who will be struggling to pay for college like myself to allow them to have the ultimate college experience and encourage them to invest in our city after college as well. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. I also want to create a program specifically for those who fit the demographics of those in my city.

In a life full of struggle and chaos, the only thing that made sense to me was math. At times, it did require great thought, but the satisfaction that I received from solving difficult problems was unlike any other. I recently took AP Calculus BC in my senior year of high school and the real life applications helped me decide on my major. My teacher, who has a PhD in mathematics dedicated himself to pushing us towards a math major. Although I planned to do computer science on its own, I plan on majoring in mathematics as well due to my passion for its meticulousness. As a religious person, mathematics helped me see the logic in the world and how something so simple is made that way through the dedication of others. Not only has math helped me answer many questions about the world, but it is also filled with opportunities to do something better with your life. I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. The programs at my high school for students interested in math and other STEM programs were extremely limited. AP Calculus was the only advanced math class my school offered, and I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. During college, I plan on doing internships to gain experience and build a vast network. This will aid in my transition into my career where I plan on working for a few years to gain knowledge of the industry and save up some money to create my start-up in data analytics. To achieve this, it is important to create an appealing business plan and please those who will be utilizing my technological innovation to protect their data. I also believe in working in an effective environment that also takes into account other opinions and creative ideas. I am a firm believer in aiming higher even after achieving your goals. Therefore, I value other ideas and will prioritize giving my clients the best quality and service they will ever have the pleasure of receiving. My non-computer science goals include coming back to the city I grew up in and providing resources and support to young adults. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgeable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

I plan on pursuing a mathematical computer science degree because I want to create something memorable and pioneering in my future. Technology is growing rapidly and has a substantial influence on our daily livelihoods, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. My academic goals consist of being a present and interactive student to display a clear understanding of the material. During college, I plan on doing internships to gain experience and build a vast network. This will aid in my transition into my career where I plan on working for a few years to gain knowledge of the industry and save up some money to create my start-up in data analytics. To achieve this, it is important to create an appealing business plan and please those who will be utilizing my technological innovation to protect their data. I also believe in working in an effective environment that also takes into account other opinions and creative ideas. I am a firm believer in aiming higher even after achieving your goals. Therefore, I value other ideas and will prioritize giving my clients the best quality and service they will ever have the pleasure of receiving. I currently am an active member in politics within our city and giving necessary resources to women and refugee shelters along with fresh vegetables and fruit which are grown in my school's urban farming club. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood where the only exposure to the STEM industry that I had was an introductory class in high school, I had to pave my way and seek out online resources like Girls Who Code to understand more about my interests. Although college is where one focuses on a specific major, your teenage years are where you discover your likes and dislikes. Therefore, a major goal of mine is to give back to my community by offering summer programs and internships for kids to gain a better understanding of the STEM industry which is currently booming and on the rise. I also plan on establishing an after-school program at my high school which is interactive and knowledgable. My city is surrounded by violence, and most of the kids believe that they will suffer the same fate. My programs are meant to be a way for them to discover the financial benefits and vast opportunities available in this industry so that they can succeed in life. Winning this scholarship will alleviate some financial stress and allow me to focus on my academics and work toward achieving my academic and professional goals.

I became interested in pursuing a computer science degree after I observed how booming the industry is and its substantial influence on our daily livelihoods. Technology is growing rapidly, and the competition and wide array of career paths that I can take with this degree exhilarate me. I also consider myself a divergent thinker, and computer science is a major which requires one to think laterally, remain persistent and persevere through failure, and prioritize your time efficiently. As an Asian woman who comes from an underprivileged area with very low resources to hone one´s skills and interests, I joined online programs such as Girls Who Code to ensure that this is the career I want to pursue. Computer science has always been intriguing to me because of the complexity of algorithms, data structures, and programming. The most interesting aspect of this field is how it applies to other industries. As a sports fanatic, I recently wrote a paper for English discussing how intertwined sports and technology are. Wearable technology, shot trackers, artificial intelligence, and data analysis are some examples of how technology continues to evolve and its impact on many different industries. My dream job after receiving my degree is to work for a large corporation for a few years to gain experience and knowledgeable insight into the industry. However, my real goal is to create something revolutionary and pioneering in the technology industry. I feel like I am the best candidate for this scholarship because I have knowledge about this industry and have taken coding classes throughout high school whether it is online or through opportunities my school provides. This scholarship would be of great assistance to me as it reduces some burden of financial stress and allows me to focus on my academics and achieve a successful and memorable career.