When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey.

It is important to be involved in the community because whatever you give, you'll receive multi-fold. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching cyber security and preparing students to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect. I plan to continue to contribute to my community during college at the US Naval Academy and upon graduation, the ultimate service of our country as a naval officer.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential but I used the taunts and bullying as a source of inspiration and motivation to succeed - to prove to the haters that I am better than them. Now that I've established self-confidence, it is not about proving to them that I'm better and it doesn't matter what they say because they are irrelevant.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

Leadership and communication is one of my best skills and I'm genuinely excited to develop and improve my leadership skills. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure not only that they feel inspired to work hard but enjoy it. That's why I wanted to become a leader in the Troy NJROTC unit, not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Although I have not learned everything there is to being a leader, I have learned a good base amount of knowledge I can pass on. I want to help people grow and realize their dreams. I now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from seven other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts that I learned from my experiences in high school, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, and research that I've conducted on the internet. Learning about leadership is one thing, but teaching it forces you to dwelve deeper into it and collectively sharing this knowledge with others and discussing it collaboratively has yielded significant growth and understanding for me.

My friends keep me going and motivate me on a daily basis. Friendship means being there for someone during good times and bad times. True friends are there in times of need. Especially during high school when they are so many pressures from school, friends, school activities, and just life in general. A friend is someone you can count on to help you through the struggles. Despite my busy schedule, I always try to be available to help my friends with their homework, encourage them when they do well in a sports event such as track and field, or when they didn't do as well as they expected in a competition such as cyber security. I also work collaboratively with my friends in study group so we have a peer support network. This helps us get stronger and we have a tight knit group to get through difficult times, not only academically, but also socially. Friendship also means just being there and present and to lend an ear to listen to your friends when they have issues. In my school, we have had a recent suicide and I sit right next to the person who is the best friend of the student who committed suicide. It was a shock for all of us and it is hard to deal with something like this, especially when the student jumped from the top of Cal State Fullerton's parking lot and didn't pass away until hours after being taken to the hospital. We all grieve and cope with stress in many different ways and just being there for support is most important, especially when you have someone who is walking down the same path together.

Food is my language of love. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. You can also explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people or just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Not only that, you can make a nice meal for yourself, friends, family, and other loved ones in your life. Food allows you to explore and escape to a whole new world outside of the rigorous academic life. It works in your benefit because at the end of the day you can enjoy, appreciate, and be proud of your own hard work and that love and passion will come through when you share a meal with your loved ones.

Food brings me joy. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. Food allows you to explore and escape to a whole new world outside of the rigorous academic life. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

My strong talent is leadership and communication. I am genuinely excited to develop and grow my leadership skills over the years. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure not only that they feel inspired to work hard but enjoy it. That's why I wanted to become the Executive Officer of our Troy NJROTC unit, not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Although I have not learned everything there is to being a leader, I have learned a good base amount of knowledge I can pass on. I want to help people grow and realize their dreams. I now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from seven other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts that I learned from my experiences in high school, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, and research that I've conducted on the internet. You also elevate your understanding and skillset to a new level when you have to teach others. As such, I always seek opportunities to instruct and to provide others the opportunity to share their experiences so that we can collectively learn and grow together.

I think life is about being a good citizen and trying your best to make the world a better place. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems. When you give, you'll receive multi-fold.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. My siblings and I always wait for things to go on sale before we ask to buy anything. My parents have always instilled in me the value or service and giving back to the community and the value of teaching and education. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I am very appreciative of the support from my family, of the friends that I've made in high school and I try to give back wherever and whenever I can.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-parents by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and to push myself beyond my limits and to serve my country.

I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition.

I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader. I plan to avoid college debt by teaching cyber security and working part time while in school. I worked at the Orange County Department of Education as a cyber security analyst intern last summer and am saving what I earned for college. I also didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer in my senior year. I hope to inspire and be a role model for others.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

I am genuinely excited to learn about leadership. Leaders have to speak their minds; however leadership is also about knowing when to speak your mind and when to listen so it is not always helpful to speak your mind but I am committed to sharing my ideas and leadership and whenever possible through the lens and words of others because that always creates more buy-in and better alignment. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure not only that they feel inspired to work hard but enjoy it. That's why I wanted to become a leader in the Troy NJROTC unit, not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Although I have not learned everything there is to being a leader, I have learned a good base amount of knowledge I can pass on. I want to help people grow and realize their dreams. I now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from seven other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts that I learned from my experiences in high school, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, and research that I've conducted on the internet. I strongly believe that one of they key ingredients to being a good leader is knowing when to speak your mind and when to listen.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. Focusing on what matters most to me and helping others cope with challenges and leading others gives me more confidence, particularly when others look up to me as a role model, consult me for guidance, and are counting on me to lead them. This expectation helps boost my confidence and keeps me going.

Friendship brings out empathy. Friendship means being there for someone during good times and bad times. True friends are there in times of need. Especially during high school when they are so many pressures from school, friends, school activities, and just life in general. A friend is someone you can count on to help you through the struggles. Despite my busy schedule, I always try to be available to help my friends with their homework, encourage them when they do well in a sports event such as track and field, or when they didn't do as well as they expected in a competition such as cyber security. I also work collaboratively with my friends in study group so we have a peer support network. This helps us get stronger and we have a tight knit group to get through difficult times, academically and socially. Friendship also means just being there and present and to lend an ear to listen to your friends when they have issues. In my school, we have had a recent suicide and I sit right next to the person who is the best friend of the student who committed suicide. It was a shock for all of us and it is hard to deal with something like this, especially when the student jumped from the top of Cal State Fullerton's parking lot and didn't pass away until hours after being taken to the hospital. We all grieve and cope with stress in many different ways and just being there for support is most important, especially when you have someone who is walking down the same path together. Friendship is not just about giving but also about receiving; those who helped me feel a great sense of accomplishment and it boosts their self esteem as well.

Cooking is my way of relaxing and taking care of my mental health. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

My favorite hobby is cyber security and leadership. I've contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

Friends are the one thing that gives me hope that the future will be better. Friendship means being there for someone during good times and bad times. True friends are there in times of need. Especially during high school when they are so many pressures from school, friends, school activities, and just life in general. A friend is someone you can count on to help you through the struggles. Despite my busy schedule, I always try to be available to help my friends with their homework, encourage them when they do well in a sports event such as track and field, or when they didn't do as well as they expected in a competition such as cyber security. I also work collaboratively with my friends in study group so we have a peer support network. This helps us get stronger and we have a tight knit group to get through difficult times, not only academically, but also socially. Friendship also means just being there and present and to lend an ear to listen to your friends when they have issues. In my school, we have had a recent suicide and I sit right next to the person who is the best friend of the student who committed suicide. It was a shock for all of us and it is hard to deal with something like this, especially when the student jumped from the top of Cal State Fullerton's parking lot and didn't pass away until hours after being taken to the hospital. We all grieve and cope with stress in many different ways and just being there for support is most important, especially when you have someone who is walking down the same path together. Friendship is not just about giving but also about receiving; those who helped me feel a great sense of accomplishment and it boosts their self esteem as well.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. I now have newfound self confidence and am not afraid to share my experience with others and to inspire them to overcome their challenges and to find their own leadership voice and self confidence.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems. This would be my legacy.

Find your inner leadership voice and be a leader. I always encourage others within my circle of influence to learn and expand their leadership capabilities because it helps build confidence and pushes people to maximize their potential. I am genuinely excited to further develop and hone my leadership skills. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. I want to master the many different ways and techniques to motivate people, not only to inspire people but to make it enjoyable and sustainable. I worked hard to become the Executive Officer of Troy's NJROTC, named the best NJROTC program in the nation, because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shining shoes (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I have started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO. I also now understand and appreciate "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from my experiences, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. Reflecting upon my past experiences, I believe that I have grown tremendously because I learned to build self confidence through my extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities at Troy. This has really helped establish a lifelong path for success and I hope to be an ambassador to help others find and achieve success in life.

Cooking makes me happy. Unless you are anemic, who isn't happy with food ? Cooking is meaningful because it's a way to connect with people and to express myself other than academic means. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking brings out flavor in life because we tend to take the mundane everyday things for granted. You never truly appreciate food until you make it yourself. People often get lazy, make, and eat the same thing and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. Not only is it tasty to try another culture's food but you get to learn the essence of their culture. You experience a flavor completely unique to them and establish a bond through this connection. I'm always excited to learn new dishes because when you create something that tastes amazing, you feel proud and self-confident. I think to myself, Wow, I just cooked this and it tastes amazing, which pushes me to keep trying to create more dishes, to experiment, and to further my culinary skills. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and deeper connections with people.

Cyber Security is my everything. The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th-grade.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I'm glad that cyber is a hobby and a rapidly emerging career path given the increased reliance on systems and technology. I love cyber because it is rapidly evolving and exciting from multiple perspectives. It involves both offense and defense. You have to understand offense well in order to defend our systems against hackers. I also love that it is a team sport and you can be part of a team as I've competed at the national level since 8th grade with other team mates. I also love it because I've been able to teach and be an inspiration to younger students.

I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college. Through this experience, I've learned the concept of saving money and not spending my parent's money. Saving money for college, debt, student loans, and interest. I've learned to want to become financially independent. I'm applying for scholarships to help ease the burden on my parents and I also want to be less financially dependent on them. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to fulfill this dream. I know the colleges have work study programs as well and I plan to take advantage of all of these alternative options to finance my college education.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

Cooking is meaningful because it's a way to connect with people and to express myself other than academic means. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking brings out flavor in life because we tend to take the mundane everyday things for granted. You never truly appreciate food until you make it yourself. People often get lazy, make, and eat the same thing and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. Not only is it tasty to try another culture's food but you get to learn the essence of their culture. You experience a flavor completely unique to them and establish a bond through this connection. I'm always excited to learn new dishes because when you create something that tastes amazing, you feel proud and self-confident. I think to myself, Wow, I just cooked this and it tastes amazing, which pushes me to keep trying to create more dishes, to experiment, and to further my culinary skills. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and deeper connections with people.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

I am genuinely excited to further develop and hone my leadership skills. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. I want to master the many different ways and techniques to motivate people, not only to inspire people but to make it enjoyable and sustainable. I worked hard to become the Executive Officer of Troy's NJROTC, named the best NJROTC program in the nation, because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shining shoes (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I have started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO. I also now understand and appreciate "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from my experiences, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. Reflecting upon my past experiences, having visited the campus and talking to alumns, I believe that Stanford's ecosystem is the ideal environment to expand my leadership potential, expose me to new ideas and innovations, and more importantly to make connections with individuals who desire and are capable of improving the world.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devastating for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I didn't also believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey. My high school experience has helped me not only grow academically but more importantly, it has helped me develop mental, physical, and leadership capacities that I am confident will continue to evolve through college and for the rest of my life.

Generosity means giving without demanding. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader. I plan to avoid college debt by teaching cyber security and working part time while in school. I worked at the Orange County Department of Education as a cyber security analyst intern last summer and am saving what I earned for college. I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. Food allows you to explore and escape to a whole new world outside of the rigorous academic life. It works in your benefit because at the end of the day you can enjoy, appreciate, and be proud of your own hard work. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential and that I would be able to overcome these personal and social issues and have the confidence and fortitude to survive. I can proudly say that peer pressure and social pressures does not affect me and I have the mental and moral fortitude and integrity to thrive in any challenging environment.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential and that I would be able to overcome these personal and social issues and have the confidence and fortitude to survive. I can proudly say that peer pressure and social pressures does not affect me and I have the mental and moral fortitude and integrity to thrive in any challenging environment.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Each week I would dedicate at least 10 hours to community service so over the past 3.5 years I have easily contributed more than 1,000 hours for all of the volunteer, leadership and extracurricular activities. However, these hours pass by quickly because I am passionate about what I'm doing. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems. My most meaningful take away is that you get back what you give, and by being such an active leader, I've made so many friends and have learned so much from others and I've been handsomely rewarded by early admission into the US Naval Academy which for me is the ultimate reward and a great opportunity to continue to serve our country on a much broader stage.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. My siblings and I always wait for things to go on sale before we ask to buy anything. My parents have always instilled in me the value or service and giving back to the community and the value of teaching and education. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. Seeing my parents struggles and how they've made it gives me hope that there are many people in similar conditions who will be successful if they work hard. From them and many others, I learned about giving back to the community and making the world a better place and it is these characteristics that gives me hope that the future will be better.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devasting for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I also didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. You can also explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people or just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Not only that, you can make a nice meal for yourself, friends, and family. Food allows you to explore and escape to a whole new world outside of the rigorous academic life. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It is a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

For me speaking my mind requires confidence and leadership builds confidence. My greatest talent is leadership. Ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I've always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure that they not only feel inspired to work hard but to enjoy it. I've held many positions and advanced the ranks of NJROTC through various roles as platoon commander, drill team squad leader, awards division head, assistant cyber commander, and ultimately Executive Officer (XO). I wanted to become a top leader in the Troy NJROTC unit not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shoe shining (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from personal experience, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. I have learned that anyone can be a leader, regardless of what role or level they are at. As XO responsible for a company of over 270 cadets at Troy, I know that my leadership skills will be fully tested this year but I also know that I will grow tremendously through this experience. As I reflect upon my 'deer in the headlights' freshman days, I'm a completely different person today. I'm staying committed to speaking my mind by helping others find their leadership voice.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front lines and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

I have a stern-looking exterior but once you get to know me, I'm a fun person who enjoys voice acting. I love to impersonate different voices and wouldn't mind a part-time voice-acting gig. I like strategy games because it's fun to exercise your brain and multiplayer games to connect with friends worldwide. I am action-oriented; when I see a problem, I try to fix it.  I love to teach and give back to the community; I've coached swimming since 6th grade and cybersecurity since 9th. I like to exercise, not competitively like I did in HS drill team, but to stay in shape. I used to spin rifles for armed exhibition competition.      I am a fanatic about cyber security and leadership. My dream is to major in cybersecurity and minor in psychology, join the US Naval academy and serve our country as a Naval Officer. I hope we will have fun, learn and grow together, and be there to support each other. I used to be bullied during elementary and middle school but I've grown tremendously through the friends and teachers/mentors at Troy HS. I have traveled to Greece, Italy, France, and Spain so I've accomplished quite a bit on my bucket list. There are still quite a few things left on my bucket list but the most notable ones are to become an Admiral in the US Navy, eat street food in Japan & Korean, study abroad for one semester in Japan, fly a helicopter, go scuba diving, and to be financially independent.

Cooking is meaningful because it's a way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Often times, people get lazy and they make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. You can explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people and just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Not only that, you can make a nice meal for yourself, friends, or family. Food allows you to explore a whole new world aside from the rigorous academic life. It works in your benefit because at the end of the day you can enjoy, appreciate, and be proud of your own hard work. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a way to connect deeper with the culture through food.

This may sound counter-intuitive but one of the best strategies for academic success is to do something completely unrelated to academics which for me is cooking. Cooking is meaningful because it's a way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Often times, people get lazy and they make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. You can explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people and just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Not only that, you can make a nice meal for yourself, friends, or family. Food allows you to explore a whole new world aside from the rigorous academic life. It works in your benefit because at the end of the day you can enjoy, appreciate, and be proud of your own hard work. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a way to connect deeper with the culture through food. Cooking allows me to escape from the rigor of academic life and stress and I would highly attribute my 4.7 academic GPA to this.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events. Because of the pandemic, we had to combine our NJROTC basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 NS1 and NS2 cadets attending from multiple schools. The following week, we hosted the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Even with meticulous planning and communication with all stakeholders, there were still problems during the event such as last-minute changes, delays in timing, shortage of supplies, injuries, and coordinating the feeding of 1000+ cadets, volunteers, judges and NSIs within 1.5 hours.   Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. Furthermore, my immersion experience at the USNA during the candidate visit weekend (CVW) in early October reaffirmed that I am on the right path. I am confident that the Naval Academy will provide an environment where I can thrive even more, above and beyond my current accomplishments. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in Cyber Security at the Orange County Department of Education. I've also competed at the national level in US Air Force Academy Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. While I would like to major in computer science in college, I really want to combine a number of disciplines: computer science, psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior. My short-term goal is to become cyber security analyst but the long-term goal is to lead a team of cyber security analysts to defend our systems and infrastructure from foreign and domestic threats. Our entire infrastructure, economy, and way of life could be disrupted by malicious hackers online. Take the colonial pipeline for example; hackers halted production and an undisclosed sum was settled behind the scenes in order for the pipeline to resume production. As we are increasingly becoming more and more dependent on systems to control manufacturing, production, and to run our day-to-day operations, having a secure environment is essential to our survival and way of life. Cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security at either the US Naval Academy, Berkeley, or MIT. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader and to teach others like I have been doing since 9th grade.

My greatest talent or skill is leadership. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure not only that they feel inspired to work hard but enjoy it. I have held many positions and advanced the ranks of NJROTC through various roles as platoon commander, drill team squad leader, awards division head, assistant cyber commander, and ultimately Executive Officer. Through each position, I've learned various aspects of leadership with incremental responsibility and expanding scale and scope. Although I have not learned everything there is to being a leader, I have learned a good base amount of knowledge I can pass on. I want to help students grow and realize their dreams. I also now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts that I learned from my experiences in high school, the NJROTC leadership programs, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, and research that I've conducted on the internet. I have learned that anyone can be a leader, regardless of what role or level they are at. As the Executive Officer responsible for a company of over 270 cadets at Troy High School, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events. Because of the pandemic, we had to combine our NJROTC basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 NS1 and NS2 cadets attending from multiple schools. The following week, we hosted the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Even with meticulous planning and communication with all stakeholders, there were still problems during the event such as last-minute changes, delays in timing, shortage of supplies, injuries, and coordinating the feeding of 1000+ cadets, volunteers, judges and NSIs within 1.5 hours.   Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Regardless of the size and scope of the problems, leadership, careful planning, and communication with the planning and execution team is tantamount to tackling any size problems. Highly complex problems can be broken down into subtasks. Creative and innovative solutions can be developed with diverse teams and perspectives, options can be explored with money and resources and the most cost effective solutions can be implemented.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. My siblings and I always wait for things to go on sale before we ask to buy anything. Even when we go to McDonalds, my parents are always using coupons so it really has instilled in me a sense value and frugality. However, my parents have always instilled in me the value or service and giving back to the community and the value of teaching and education. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father. This scholarship will go a long way towards helping me achieve my goal and my future aspirations to give back and to be an active contributor to lead others for the betterment of our community and country.

I'm a well-rounded individual who has transformed from an introvert bullied by others through middle school to the Executive Officer leading a battalion of over 280+ NJROTC cadets. While I have a 4.7 GPA and am an AP scholar, I was nominated to be homecoming prince during my junior year. I am passionate about cyber security and have competed at the national level twice, placing 3rd and 4th nationally. I share this passion with others by teaching cyber security since my sophomore year. I love to cook and experiment with new foods and I make a mean steak.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather who passed away before I was born. He became a role model and inspiration. I not only want to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

Food brings me joy and makes me happy ! Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. You can also explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people or just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

My family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from MIT, my father could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. I want to embark on a lifelong journey that would honor my family tradition of public service, most likely in the military but using modern technology in cyber war fare.

My family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from Caltech and MIT, he could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father. Having grown up in a tight knit and loving family, life to me is not only about service to country and community but also about family. It is about taking care of those you love and protecting the freedoms and liberty. For sure, I hope live a life of integrity, honor, and continue the family legacy of leadership and public service.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. My siblings and I always wait for things to go on sale before we ask to buy anything. My parents have also always instilled in me the value or service and giving back to the community and the value of teaching and education. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. As the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy's NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I've made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks to become the Battalion Executive Officer (XO). As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events. Because of the pandemic, we had to combine our NJROTC basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 NS1 and NS2 cadets attending from multiple schools. The following week, we hosted the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Even with meticulous planning and communication with all stakeholders, there were still problems during the event such as last-minute changes, delays in timing, shortage of supplies, injuries, and coordinating the feeding of 1000+ cadets, volunteers, judges and NSIs within 1.5 hours. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential; this experience has given me lifelong strength and confidence.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. My family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from MIT, my father could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father.

I am genuinely excited to further develop and hone my leadership skills. Leadership pushes me to learn more because ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I have always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. I want to master the many different ways and techniques to motivate people, not only to inspire people but to make it enjoyable and sustainable. I worked hard to become the Executive Officer of Troy's NJROTC, named the best NJROTC program in the nation, because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shining shoes (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I have started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO.    I also now understand and appreciate "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from my experiences, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. I want to further develop my leadership potential through the US Naval Academy, Stanford, Berkeley, MIT, or similar colleges because I believe they provide the ideal environment to expand my leadership potential, expose me to new ideas and innovations, and more importantly to make connections with individuals who desire and are capable of improving the world.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. You can also explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people or just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college. Through this experience, I've learned the concept of saving money and not spending my parent's money. Saving money for college, debt, student loans, and interest. I've learned to want to become financially independent. I'm applying for scholarships to help ease the burden on my parents and I also want to be less financially dependent on them. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to fulfill this dream. In the near term, I am hoping to apply to many scholarships to help my parents ease their burden. In the long run, I plan to work hard, live frugally, and invest wisely.

I had an opportunity to travel with my father to Annapolis in early October to visit the US Naval Academy (USNA) and a number of things happened during this trip that touched me so deeply that I’d like to share this special moment.   During our connection in Dallas, my dad was telling me about my grandfather and his military career in Pleiku, Vietnam from 1961 to 1975. Grandpa chose to stay and fight although, as a lieutenant colonel, he had the opportunity to follow US troops returning home in 1973. I was named after my grandparents and my dad said grandpa would have been proud of my current NJROTC accomplishments and military service aspirations. My dad broke down and cried when he recalled how, because they were so poor, his parents couldn't afford to take time off to tour Caltech where my dad went for undergrad even though they lived in Southern CA. It touched me deeply to see my dad, a grown man, break down and cry uncontrollably in the middle of a crowded airport. It made me cherish this USNA visit and further inspired me to follow in grandpa's footsteps to serve my country.   We also visited the Vietnam Memorial to pay our respects where we encountered a group of Vietnam vets and had a long conversation with retired sergeant Larry, who served near Pleiku where my grandfather was stationed and where my dad was born.  We thanked the vets for their service and my dad shared that without their courage and sacrifice, I may not be here today. Many of them were kids when they enlisted, shipped to Vietnam, and lost many brothers in arms. It finally dawned on me that there are many enlisted men like sergeant Larry, who need to be led, and that their lives depended on officers and leaders from service academies and ROTC programs.   Finally, just being at USNA was an awe-inspiring moment. At a recent NJROTC leadership seminar, we watched a Simon Sinek Ted talk discussing the three elements of successful organizations: why, how, and benefits. We each had to come up with an elevator speech and I chose to talk about why NJROTC, leadership development opportunities, and personal growth. I got a standing ovation afterwards. The speech embodied why midshipmen chose USNA. This experience further strengthened my resolve to become a naval officer, to lead others to serve our country.   From this trip, I got to know my father even better and to connect deeper with his father. More importantly, it made me realize that our family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from Caltech and MIT, he could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father.

"Always strive to give back to your community because you will gain so much more through that act of giving." I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. I have grown and matured so much through my leadership and community service and it has been invaluable for me; as such I always try to encourage and challenge younger students to follow suit and strive to be even better.

My greatest talent is leadership. Ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I've always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure that they not only feel inspired to work hard but to enjoy it. I've held many positions and advanced the ranks of NJROTC through various roles as platoon commander, drill team squad leader, awards division head, assistant cyber commander, and ultimately Executive Officer (XO). I wanted to become a top leader in the Troy NJROTC unit not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shoe shining (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I've started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO. I also now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from personal experience, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. I have learned that anyone can be a leader, regardless of what role or level they are at. As XO responsible for a company of over 270 cadets at Troy, I know that my leadership skills will be fully tested this year but I also know that I will grow tremendously through this experience. I hope to continue to develop my leadership skills in college.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

If I were a highly influential figure, I would focus on promoting and developing the following three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. You can also explore a variety of cuisines and dishes. You can share food with other people or just experiment and grow your culinary skills. Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential and I think this newfound self confidence will have a significant impact in my life and will forever change my trajectory and potential.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader. There is no one best way to combat cyber crime because it is so multi-faceted but it all starts with awareness. Tightening systems can only go so far but the social behaviors and awareness goes a long way towards protecting ourselves, our work systems, and our infrastructure. So in short, education, personal habits, and collective vigilance will help make a dent on cyber crime.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader.

I have learned over the years that through giving back you always benefit greatly. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Throughout these experiences, I've made many new friends and have grown tremendously as a public speaker, leader, and overall self confidence.

I make friends, family, and others feel loved by cooking for them and just being there for them. Friendship means being there for someone during good times and bad times. True friends are there in times of need. Especially during high school when they are so many pressures from school, friends, school activities, and just life in general. A friend is someone you can count on to help you through the struggles. Despite my busy schedule, I always try to be available to help my friends with their homework, encourage them when they do well in a sports event such as track and field, or when they didn't do as well as they expected in a competition such as cyber security. I also work collaboratively with my friends in study group so we have a peer support network. This helps us get stronger and we have a tight knit group to get through difficult times, not only academically, but also socially. Another way I express care and love is through contributing to my school and community. I served as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems.

Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking is my creative way to express myself other than academic means and I find great joy in this exercise. Cooking is a way to really bring out the flavor in life because most of the time we don't think of the mundane everyday things that we take for granted. You never really appreciate food for what it is until you are making it yourself. Oftentimes, people get lazy and make the same thing, eat the same thing, and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook. For example, everyone loves ramen and it can be as easy as adding hot water. I express my creativity and elevate ramen by adding vegetables, a fried egg, pan-seared spam or sometimes seafood or wagyu beef, and garnish. I also make a mean steak with very simple but fresh ingredients. The sequencing of fresh ingredients, cooking time, garnish, and presentation can elevate your dish and flavor profile. It just takes a little tender loving care and passion and the results will speak for themselves. I also find great joy in connecting with others, not only through food but common shared experiences. I have been studying and teaching cyber for five years since 8th grade. I find great joy in sharing my knowledge and passing it on to the younger generation. I am also the Executive Officer for our Navy JROTC program leading over 280+ cadets. It is a very humbling and rewarding experience when our battalion does well in the Veterans Day Parade to honor vets, or hosting basic leadership training for 300+ cadets, or hosted 1000+ in the Troy Athletic Field meet.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   I believe the best way to live a long healthy life is to build self confidence. To eat the right foods and maintain a healthy dose of exercise. I've been able to do this consistently with physical training through the NJROTC program. I think mental health is also important; giving back and being active in the community allows me to make more friends and feel a sense of camaraderie and belonging. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Staying busy and giving back is another great way to be healthy.

The one technology I'm most afraid of is cyber; at the same time I'm most fascinated about the field because it is always evolving and changing. The bad guys are always coming up with new ways and methods to hack into systems and it is a great challenge to try to stop them and to protect the systems that we have become so dependent on from cyber crime. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. I think education is the biggest equalizer and with a good education, one can have access to better jobs and opportunities. Education helps break down the class barrier and especially because America stands for the land of freedom and opportunities, education is the best way to achieve that equity.

The pandemic has really enabled me to do more things and use time more efficiently. I have been able to participate in more events and activities and give more back to my community. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. This really affected me and had a significant impact on my mental health and ability to transition to high school. I almost failed algebra in 9th grade and my teacher and counselors had a number of meetings with my parents to help intervene. Fortunately, Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. Furthermore, my immersion experience at the USNA during the candidate visit weekend (CVW) in early October reaffirmed that I am on the right path. I am confident that the Naval Academy will provide an environment where I can thrive even more, above and beyond my current accomplishments. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. I've also competed at the national level in Cyber Patriot competition since 8th grade, our team place 3rd nationally in 8th grade and 4th nationally in 10th grade. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). This scholarship will allow me to achieve a world class education in computer science and cyber security. I also hope to give back to my school and community by being an active leader. I plan to avoid college debt by teaching cyber security and working part time while in school. I worked at the Orange County Department of Education as a cyber security analyst intern last summer and am saving what I earned for college. I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college. Through this experience, I've learned the concept of saving money and not spending my parent's money. Saving money for college, debt, student loans, and interest. I've learned to want to become financially independent. I'm applying for scholarships to help ease the burden on my parents and I also want to be less financially dependent on them. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to fulfill this dream. I know the colleges have work study programs as well and I plan to take advantage of all of these alternative options to finance my college education.

Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world. Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement. It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and connect deeper with people and cultures through food. I practice self-care by making my bed everyday, making my own meals a couple of times a week, and staying physically fit through NJROTC physical training. Another important area for me is to give back to my school and community; it keeps me busy and gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment to be able to help others. I've been serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and held various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. As the Executive Officer of the NJROTC program, I've forged many friendships and helped many younger cadets develop their leadership potential.

Friendship means being there for someone during good times and bad times. True friends are there in times of need. Especially during high school when they are so many pressures from school, friends, school activities, and just life in general. A friend is someone you can count on to help you through the struggles. Despite my busy schedule, I always try to be available to help my friends with their homework, encourage them when they do well in a sports event such as track and field, or when they didn't do as well as they expected in a competition such as cyber security. I also work collaboratively with my friends in study group so we have a peer support network. This helps us get stronger and we have a tight knit group to get through difficult times, not only academically, but also socially. Friendship also means just being there and present and to lend an ear to listen to your friends when they have issues. In my school, we have had a recent suicide and I sit right next to the person who is the best friend of the student who committed suicide. It was a shock for all of us and it is hard to deal with something like this, especially when the student jumped from the top of Cal State Fullerton's parking lot and didn't pass away until hours after being taken to the hospital. We all grieve and cope with stress in many different ways and just being there for support is most important, especially when you have someone who is walking down the same path together. Friendship is not just about giving but also about receiving; those who helped me feel a great sense of accomplishment and it boosts their self esteem as well.

My parents were both refugees who came to America empty-handed much like the images of immigrants that I see on TV walking across the Rio Grande. I can't imagine the struggles that my parents have endured to provide for me and my siblings. As the first-generation American born and the oldest in the family, I am determined to succeed and to try my very best so that my parent's efforts are not in vain. My peers, whose family have been in the US for generations, will not understand why I'm such a 'try-hard' and why I put 110% into everything that I do. These values have really helped shaped my life and my moral compass. My siblings and I always wait for things to go on sale before we ask to buy anything. Even when we go to McDonalds, my parents are always using coupons so it really has instilled in me a sense value and frugality. However, my parents have always instilled in me the value or service and giving back to the community and the value of teaching and education. I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father. This scholarship will go a long way towards helping me achieve my goal and my future aspirations to give back and to be an active contributor to lead others for the betterment of our community and country.

My greatest talent is leadership. Ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I've always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure that they not only feel inspired to work hard but to enjoy it. I've held many positions and advanced the ranks of NJROTC through various roles as platoon commander, drill team squad leader, awards division head, assistant cyber commander, and ultimately Executive Officer (XO). I wanted to become a top leader in the Troy NJROTC unit not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shoe shining (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I've started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO. I also now understand the phrase "the more you learn, the less you know." This past summer, I led a leadership seminar for the top 3 commanders from ten other NJROTC schools. I incorporated concepts from personal experience, the UCLA LEAP program that I attended last summer, Ted talks, and internet. I have learned that anyone can be a leader, regardless of what role or level they are at. As XO responsible for a company of over 270 cadets at Troy, I know that my leadership skills will be fully tested this year but I also know that I will grow tremendously through this experience. All of these activities help me maintain and sustain a growth mindset.

My most favorite scientist is Benjamin Franklin because he was both a contributor to our government and a scientist who had many inventions among them political cartoons, the Franklin stove, lightning rod, and bifocal glasses. I love to cook so the Franklin stove is a great heating and cooking instrument. The political cartoons is a fun way to laugh off our differences to see the other side's perspective. Most importantly, Ben Franklin's discovery of the lightning rod led to electricity which forever changed the world and industry.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year.   As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events: basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 cadets and the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother.   Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. n a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps to join NROTC program during college and to serve in the military and to serve our country.

My family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from Caltech and MIT, he could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father. I know following a career in the military is not exactly public safety but I think it is just another way to serve and protect, perhaps at an even broader level than local law enforcement.

I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college. Through this experience, I've learned the concept of saving money and not spending my parent's money. Saving money for college, debt, student loans, and interest. I've learned to want to become financially independent. I'm applying for scholarships to help ease the burden on my parents and I also want to be less financially dependent on them. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to fulfill this dream.

When I first came to Troy High, I was struggling to make the transition. I had a really hard time and was failing honors Algebra. My Algebra teacher recommended that I drop the class and enroll in a lower level class. This was devasting for me and you can imagine the disappointment and pressure that I felt. Rather than letting this set back devastate my academic trajectory, I worked extremely hard and was motivated to strive for straight A’s to date. I currently have a 4.715 GPA. I also developed my leadership skills through the Naval ROTC program. I was a scrawny quiet little Asian kid when I first started Troy. Through participation on the drill team, I’ve developed physical fitness and am a member of the national champion drill team. My involvement in the ROTC community includes color guard, rifle exhibition, academics, administration, and cyber competition (where our Team place 4th in the National Cyber Patriot Competition). I am currently the Executive Officer leading a student run ROTC team of over 300 cadets. This scholarship would be a great recognition of my courage and growth and would be a great start and encouragement for me as I begin my college journey.

Cooking is an art form to me and it can be very technique so there is a strong connection to STEM. Cooking is meaningful because it's a way to connect with people and to express myself other than academic means. Food is a universal language; everyone can understand it. Cooking brings out flavor in life because we tend to take the mundane everyday things for granted. You never truly appreciate food until you make it yourself. People often get lazy, make, and eat the same thing and that just makes it boring and rote but you can add a little bit of spice to your life each day with the meals you cook.   Not only is it tasty to try another culture's food but you get to learn the essence of their culture. You experience a flavor completely unique to them and establish a bond through this connection. I'm always excited to learn new dishes because when you create something that tastes amazing, you feel proud and self-confident. I think to myself, Wow, I just cooked this and it tastes amazing, which pushes me to keep trying to create more dishes, to experiment, and to further my culinary skills.   Retired Naval Admiral William McRaven said that little things such as making your bed can change your life and maybe the world.  Besides just making your bed, maybe you can make a nice meal for yourself. It can make you feel better on a bad day or help celebrate an achievement.  It is something that you have control over and a great way to forge friendships and deeper connections with people.

It would be great if everyone makes an effort to pay it forward and to try to contribute in whatever way they can, be it large or small based on capabilities. If each of us does 5 to 10 selfless act of kindness we would all be in a much better place. What I have done to make my school or community a better place is by giving back to it through the troy cyber program and the NJROTC program. Through the troy cyber program I am able to give back to the future generations of troy cyber and teach them everything I know and pass on my knowledge. So that they have a strong foundation to continue upon and surpass the heights I have reached. As well as leaving behind practice images, material slides, and a guide on how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to troubleshoot it in a time efficient manner. Through the NJROTC program I was able to give back to the NJROTC community by mentoring and fostering the future leaders that would replace me. I would talk to them about currently problems that we had or solved and how we went about it. I also tried my best to impart that keeping calm cool and collected is always the best answer when trying to solve a problem. But overall as the executive officer I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates and have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding and willing to hear them out. The best thing I have tried to teach them is don't make other people do what you won't do; lead by example and lead by earning their respect not through fear or position but by earning their respect. Then you will have people who will want to listen to you and have you in charge because you can help them do even better than before. As well as leaving behind every event we had planned and the mistakes along the way with a guide. So that future generations of leaders could immediately learn from our mistakes and continue to push forward making the troy NJROTC unit better than it was before rather than making the same mistakes. They could take what we did and continually improve upon it for generations to come.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy's NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I've made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks to become the Battalion Executive Officer (XO). As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events. Because of the pandemic, we had to combine our NJROTC basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 NS1 and NS2 cadets attending from multiple schools. The following week, we hosted the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Even with meticulous planning and communication with all stakeholders, there were still problems during the event such as last-minute changes, delays in timing, shortage of supplies, injuries, and coordinating the feeding of 1000+ cadets, volunteers, judges and NSIs within 1.5 hours. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. I believe I have the moral, mental, and physical attributes to succeed, and more importantly to be the best leader possible.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. Regardless of whether it is cyber security or NJROTC, I always focus on three key components: sustainable system, inspiring and cultivating aspiring new talent, and motivating future leaders to improve upon those systems.

I have contributed to my school and community by serving as the lead Windows Instructor of the Troy cyber program in the last 3 years and serving in various leadership roles in the NJROTC program. Through the Troy cyber program, I was able to give back to the future generations of Troy cyber and teach the younger generation everything I know, and pass on my knowledge so that they have a strong foundation to build upon and surpass the heights that I've reached. In addition to developing practice images and PowerPoint training materials, I created a guide for how to use a new virtual image program so that everyone could easily understand how to use it more effectively. For the last 2 years, I also served as the director of the Young Engineers in Action (YEA) teaching Oxford Academy students cyber security and preparing them to compete in the national cyber patriot competition. Through the NJROTC program, I mentored and fostered the future leaders that would replace me. I would share with cadets the current problems and our approach to solving those challenges. I also tried my best to impart that staying calm and being methodical is always the best way to tackle problems. But overall, as the cadet Battalion Executive Officer, I try to teach the future leaders to care about their subordinates, have realistic expectations, be strict but understanding, and always be open to suggestions and new ideas. The most important concept I try to reinforce is servant leadership and leading by example to earn respect, not through fear or positional power. I always focus on three key components: sustainability, cultivating new talent, and motivating future leaders to build upon those systems to make it even better than before.

My family has a long tradition of service. My grandfather served his country selflessly and while my dad didn't join the military, he dedicated much of his adult life to public service. Having graduated from Caltech and MIT, he could have done anything; instead he spent 12 years working in K-12 education and 7 years for the court. I've spent the last five years studying, teaching, coaching, and recently working in cyber. In college, I want to study and apply psychology, behavioral science, and organizational behavior to cyber security because cyber is not purely technical; 90% of breaches are because of human factors, social engineering, and non-technical methods. I hope to be able to carry out this dream as an officer in our military corps, leading cyber security analysts to defend against attacks such as the Colonial pipeline (and many others that are not publicized). I hope to continue the family tradition in my own special way but in a way that honors both my grandfather and father. I also dream of being financially independent so I don't have to worry about paying student loans, making ends meet, and taking care of the day to day needs for my family. Being financially independent allows me to truly follow my dreams.

My greatest talent is leadership. Ever since I was young I was interested in being a leader. I've always wanted to take initiative to lead and take charge. There are many different leadership styles and ways to motivate people. I want to learn those ways in order to motivate the people I work with and make sure that they not only feel inspired to work hard but to enjoy it. I've held many positions and advanced the ranks of NJROTC through various roles as platoon commander, drill team squad leader, awards division head, assistant cyber commander, and ultimately Executive Officer (XO). I wanted to become a top leader in the Troy NJROTC unit not only because of the prestige of the position, but because I wanted to help mentor the next generation of leaders. Like shoe shining (which I have many hours logged), leadership can never be polished enough; but I have a good base knowledge from my four years of experience that I can pass on. I've started a leadership manual and plan to write a personal letter to the incoming XO. How does leadership connect to be patient ? You have to be patient and calm to be a good leader and a good mentor. I want to become a good leader hence I have to learn to be patient and to be a good listener.

I think that investments and time value of money is most important. Most high school students are busy spending their parent's money. I've learned and have become interested in investments. As a Vietnamese, we inherit some Chinese customs and during Chinese New Years, we would wish the older aunts and uncles good health and in return I would get red envelopes filled with cash. My parents would deposit these cash into my Charles Schwab account and I would buy stocks with them. It is a great way to learn about the markets, investing money, and saving money for college. Through this experience, I've learned the concept of saving money and not spending my parent's money. Saving money for college, debt, student loans, and interest. I've learned to want to become financially independent. I'm applying for scholarships to help ease the burden on my parents and I also want to be less financially dependent on them. I hope that you will give me an opportunity to fulfill this dream.

I didn't believe in myself. I didn't have much self-confidence because I was an introvert and didn't have many friends; the popular kids were always making fun of me and making me feel like an outcast during Elementary and Middle School. Troy’s NJROTC program transformed me from a nerdy middle schooler into an athletic, self-confident, and well-rounded leader. I’ve made new friends, survived boot camp, competed nationally in drill team, and rose through the ranks by holding various positions as platoon commander, assistant cyber commander, awards division head, and finally cadet Battalion Executive Officer (XO) in my senior year. As XO of the most outstanding unit in the Nation/Area 11 with over 270 cadets, I faced many challenges and very high expectations. Most recently, I led the planning and implementation of two major events. Because of the pandemic, we had to combine our NJROTC basic leadership training (BLT) for over 300 NS1 and NS2 cadets attending from multiple schools. The following week, we hosted the Troy Athletic Field Meet (TAFM) with over 900 cadets coming from 22 schools in southern California. Even with meticulous planning and communication with all stakeholders, there were still problems during the event such as last-minute changes, delays in timing, shortage of supplies, injuries, and coordinating the feeding of 1000+ cadets, volunteers, judges and NSIs within 1.5 hours. Running these two events was both humbling and rewarding. I learned to stay calm under pressure, to direct and communicate clearly, to prioritize which fires to tackle, and more importantly to delegate to our head staff and department heads. Fortunately, BLT was a good primer for TAFM; our team documented and continued best practices and closed the gaps identified from BLT which helped made TAFM run smoother. Looking back four years ago, I would never have imagined that I was capable of such leadership potential. On a personal level, I was named after my grand-father and grand-mother by combining their first names: "Phi-Tam" which means "flying heart". I had grown up always hearing great heroic stories about my grandfather passed down by my father, who was a Lieutenant Colonel stationed in Pleiku, central Vietnam at the strategic heart of the conflict from 1961 to 1975. The leadership and dedication made me proud to be his grandson because my grandfather was always at the front of the caravan on military campaigns. Although my grandfather passed away before I was born, he became a role model for me and I wanted to follow in his footsteps leading from the front and protecting what mattered to me. Not only to push myself beyond my limits but to be a hero and to serve my country.

A leadership experience in which I positively influenced others was when I was a squad leader on the drill team at our first personnel inspection practice. I show-cased the skill of being strict yet understanding and people appreciated that ideal and wanted to follow suit. Some cadets approached me and told me they appreciated the fact that I acknowledged that they were new and that I wasn't going to yell at them. It taught them to be reasonable and look at other people's perspective or point of view before taking action in order to avoid any unnecessary discipline. Those cadets took that idea or principle and carried it on with them in their NJROTC careers. Another time was at Troy's leadership academy and basic leadership training when we did physical training on the track as a circuit course. Some cadet leaders stood on the side lines and yelled at their cadets during the exercises. But in both events, I was there alongside the cadets leading by example, pushing them, and motivating them to just keep pushing a little more. It taught all the cadets the importance of leading by example by working alongside the cadets regardless of your position, it shows that you care about them. This in turn wins their respect, and respect is the most essential component in leadership. Once you earn someone's respect, they want to listen to you and follow you, and most importantly you become a role model to them. By being a role model, you are able effectuate change and inspire them to reach new heights. As a result of our hard work at basic leadership training, my platoon won honor platoon, which serves as a foundation for the self-confidence, growth, and leadership development during their high school career and even in life.