“Ay, ay, ay, ay Canta y no llores~ Porque cantando se alegran Cielito Lindo los corazones~” Cielito Lindo by Mariachi Pablo Olmedo is a notable song found in the deepest hearts of the Mexican community. As a child, my father frequently sang it to me whenever I was upset, his warm voice reminding me everything would be okay. However, this classic song that you would typically find your parents playing in the background as they drink a couple of chelas while sitting in their plastic chairs provided me with more than fond memories; it held a new meaning: to fight for what is right. Upon taking an AP class on computer science, I was astounded to learn how the lack of diversity in AI was damaging to communities of color attempting to use products with such services attached to them. Products such as facial-analysis programs have error rates of more than 20 percent in one case and more than 34 percent in the other two for women of darker skin color. A drastic difference compared to their lighter peers, with only a 0.8 percent error rate. The lack of diversity establishes a trend, resulting in unequal tech improvements that negatively affect underserved communities. Studying cybersecurity and ethical hacking will allow me to push the boundaries of technology while addressing pressing societal issues, especially for underrepresented individuals. To prepare, I aim to continue to expand my knowledge of security systems and algorithmic bias, seeking opportunities such as Google's Code Next to further my learning. In addition, I have taken and earned certifications from programs such as Girls Who Code, contributing to the goal of studying Cybersecurity. As a key member of my school’s robotics club, I have also taken on leadership roles by organizing sessions, distributing robots, and introducing new ideas to enhance teamwork. Through this, I’ve strengthened my technical skills in coding and engineering while mentoring peers and fostering a dynamic learning environment. As I progress through these programs, I will continue to grow and be more successful. As the oldest daughter applying to college, I want to get involved in initiatives, internships, and research that tackle ethical issues in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. By getting accepted to John Jay, where I will be entering the class of 2029 this fall, I was able to accomplish this ambition. By reducing the cost of my schooling, this scholarship will enable me to bridge the boundaries of technology and underrepresented communities even more.

“Ay, ay, ay, ay Canta y no llores~ Porque cantando se alegran Cielito Lindo los corazones~” Cielito Lindo by Mariachi Pablo Olmedo is a notable song found in the deepest hearts of the Mexican community. As a child, my father frequently sang it to me whenever I was upset, his warm voice reminding me everything would be okay. However, this classic song that you would typically find your parents playing in the background as they drink a couple of chelas while sitting in their plastic chairs provided me with more than fond memories; it held a new meaning: to fight for what is right. Upon taking an AP class on computer science, I was astounded to learn how the lack of diversity in AI was damaging to communities of color attempting to use products with such services attached to them. Products such as facial-analysis programs have error rates of more than 20 percent in one case and more than 34 percent in the other two for women of darker skin color. A drastic difference compared to their lighter peers, with only a 0.8 percent error rate. The lack of diversity establishes a trend, resulting in unequal tech improvements that negatively affect underserved communities. Studying cybersecurity and ethical hacking will allow me to push the boundaries of technology while addressing pressing societal issues, especially for underrepresented individuals. To prepare, I aim to continue to expand my knowledge of security systems and algorithmic bias, seeking opportunities such as Google's Code Next to further my learning. In addition, I have taken and earned certifications from programs such as Girls Who Code, contributing to the goal of studying Cybersecurity. As a key member of my school’s robotics club, I have also taken on leadership roles by organizing sessions, distributing robots, and introducing new ideas to enhance teamwork. Through this, I’ve strengthened my technical skills in coding and engineering while mentoring peers and fostering a dynamic learning environment. As I progress through these programs, I will continue to grow and be more successful. As the oldest daughter applying to college, I want to get involved in initiatives, internships, and research that tackle ethical issues in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. By getting accepted to John Jay, where I will be entering the class of 2029 this fall, I was able to accomplish this ambition. By reducing the cost of my schooling, this scholarship will enable me to bridge the boundaries of technology and underrepresented communities even more.

“Ay, ay, ay, ay Canta y no llores~ Porque cantando se alegran Cielito Lindo los corazones~” Cielito Lindo by Mariachi Pablo Olmedo is a notable song found in the deepest hearts of the Mexican community. As a child, my father frequently sang it to me whenever I was upset, his warm voice reminding me everything would be okay. However, this classic song that you would typically find your parents playing in the background as they drink a couple of chelas while sitting in their plastic chairs provided me with more than fond memories; it held a new meaning: to fight for what is right. Upon taking an AP class on computer science, I was astounded to learn how the lack of diversity in AI was damaging to communities of color attempting to use products with such services attached to them. Products such as facial-analysis programs have error rates of more than 20 percent in one case and more than 34 percent in the other two for women of darker skin color. A drastic difference compared to their lighter peers, with only a 0.8 percent error rate. The lack of diversity establishes a trend, resulting in unequal tech improvements that negatively affect underserved communities. Studying cybersecurity and ethical hacking will allow me to push the boundaries of technology while addressing pressing societal issues, especially for underrepresented individuals. To prepare, I aim to continue to expand my knowledge of security systems and algorithmic bias, seeking opportunities such as Google's Code Next to further my learning. In addition, I have taken and earned certifications from programs such as Girls Who Code, contributing to the goal of studying Cybersecurity. As I progress through these programs, I will continue to grow and be more successful. As the oldest daughter applying to college, I want to get involved in initiatives, internships, and research that tackle ethical issues in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. By getting accepted to John Jay, where I will be entering the class of 2029 this fall, I was able to accomplish this ambition. By reducing the cost of my schooling, this scholarship will enable me to bridge the boundaries of technology and underrepresented communities.

“Ay, ay, ay, ay Canta y no llores~ Porque cantando se alegran Cielito Lindo los corazones~” Cielito Lindo by Mariachi Pablo Olmedo is a notable song found in the deepest hearts of the Mexican community, and for me, it holds a special place in my heart. As a child, my father frequently sang it to me whenever I was upset, his warm voice reminding me that everything would be okay. However, this classic song that you would typically find your parents playing in the background as they drink a couple of chelas while sitting in their plastic chairs provided me with more than fond memories; it held a new meaning: to find joy in resilience. Every time I saw the self-sacrifice and hard work that my parents put out there, working tirelessly to provide for my brother and me. I would use it as a way to see the values of perseverance and community. From my mother’s homemade tortillas to my father’s lectures in Mexican history, this song––my heritage, has taught me to cherish the simple joys in life and fight for what matters. And it is what inspired my dream of becoming an advocate for environmental justice for marginalized communities. Since it is communities like mine that often get blocked by such obstacles in getting access to certain opportunities. With my education, I hope to open those doors and allow everyone to get that chance. Thus, through my education, I hope to inspire others in my community to see that our heritage is not a limitation but a strength. Just like Cielito Lindo reminds us to sing through challenges, I want to show that no matter the obstacles, we can achieve success.