One of the most difficult setbacks I have faced was realizing I could not afford to attend my dream college. I had worked hard to maintain my grades and stay focused on my goals, so reaching that point felt incredibly discouraging. For a moment, it seemed like everything I had planned for my future was slipping away. I remember feeling uncertain about what would come next and questioning whether all of my effort had been enough. It was a time filled with doubt, disappointment, and confusion. During that time, I was not alone. My mom, my grandmother, and my school counselor stepped in and helped me see beyond that disappointment. Instead of letting me stay stuck in that moment, they guided me toward other opportunities I had not fully considered. They helped me research different schools, explore new paths, and apply for scholarships like this one. Their support reminded me that one closed door does not mean the end of the journey. It simply means I needed to look in a different direction. Even though I still felt the weight of that loss, their encouragement gave me the strength to keep moving forward. Alongside their support, my faith played a major role in helping me overcome this obstacle. I have always believed that God has a plan for my life, even when I cannot fully understand it in the moment. During this time, I leaned heavily on that belief. I turned to prayer when I felt overwhelmed, asking for guidance, clarity, and peace. In those quiet moments, I found comfort in trusting that there was a purpose behind what I was experiencing. Instead of focusing only on what I had lost, I began to shift my mindset toward what could still be possible. My faith reminded me of the importance of patience and trust. I was raised to believe that everything happens for a reason and that God’s timing is always greater than my own. Even though I had envisioned a specific path for myself, I came to understand that my journey did not have to look exactly as I had planned to be meaningful or successful. I believe that what is meant for me will come to fruition, even if the path looks different from what I expected. This experience also changed the way I think about building a support system. I realized that I have strong, dependable people in my life who genuinely want to see me succeed. Their guidance, combined with my faith, helped me regain confidence in myself and my future. Moving into my next chapter, I plan to stay connected to those who uplift and guide me, while also seeking out new mentors, peers, and communities who share my goals and values. I understand now that success is not something I have to reach alone. Although not being able to attend my dream college felt like a major setback, it ultimately strengthened my resilience, deepened my faith, and reinforced my trust in others. It showed me that support comes in many forms through family, guidance, and faith in God. Because of this experience, I am moving forward with confidence, knowing that I am supported and that my future still holds purpose, growth, and opportunity.

My goals in computer science focus on creating innovative, meaningful technology that blends creativity with functionality. I am especially interested in using programming as a tool not just to solve problems, but to design experiences. I want to learn how to build applications, interactive systems, and digital platforms that feel intuitive, engaging, and visually compelling. To do this, I plan to strengthen my skills in coding, user interface design, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and interactive media. I am motivated by the idea that technology can be both powerful and expressive, not just technical. At the same time, my non-computer science goals are deeply rooted in my passion for art and design. I have always been interested in visual creativity, how colors, shapes, and layouts can communicate ideas and emotions. I want to continue developing my artistic skills, whether through digital art, graphic design, or other creative mediums. Art allows me to think differently, to experiment, and to express ideas in ways that go beyond words or code. It also helps me better understand how people experience visuals and interact with design, which is something I value highly. In addition to art, I also want to grow in areas like communication and collaboration. Being able to clearly share ideas and work with others is essential, especially in creative and technical fields. I want to become someone who can not only build things independently but also contribute to teams and bring ideas to life collectively. These skills will help me turn creative visions into real, usable products. In the future, I see my computer science and artistic goals coming together naturally and excitingly. I am particularly interested in fields like user experience (UX) design, game design, and creative technology, where both technical and artistic skills are equally important. For example, I might design apps that are not only functional but also visually engaging and easy to use, or create interactive art projects that respond to user input through code. By combining programming with design, I can create technology that feels more human-centered and impactful. Ultimately, my goal is to build things that people not only use but enjoy. I want to create technology that stands out because it is both innovative and thoughtfully designed. By continuing to develop my skills in both computer science and art, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the field and contribute to projects that inspire others.

My personal experiences with finances and financial education have been good, in my opinion. I’ve made a strong effort to learn as much as I can about money and how it works. Throughout high school, I chose to take several classes throughout my years that focus on financial literacy, such as Career Prep, Financial Math, and Family and Consumer Science. These classes have helped me understand important concepts like budgeting, saving, and planning for expenses. They taught me that managing money is not just about spending, but also about making smart choices for the future. I try my best to apply what I learn in real life. For example, I practice budgeting by planning out how my money will be spent instead of just using it without thinking. I’ve learned how to separate my needs from my wants, which helps me avoid wasting money on unnecessary things. I also understand the importance of saving, even if it’s just a small amount at a time. These habits are helping me become more responsible and aware of my financial decisions. In addition to what I’ve learned in school, my family has played a big role in teaching me about finances. Both my mother and my grandmother have shared their knowledge and experiences with me. My grandmother, especially, has taught me about checking and savings accounts and how they work. She has also explained what kinds of investments are appropriate and has consistently reinforced the importance of saving money whenever possible. Learning from her has been very valuable because it gives me real-life advice that I can trust and use. In the future, I plan to use everything I’ve learned to build a stable and successful life. As I go into college, I know there will be many expenses, and it will be important for me to manage my money carefully. I want to avoid overspending on unnecessary things, even though I know I can sometimes be tempted. Instead, I plan to stick to a well-thought-out budget that balances both my needs and my wants. I will do everything in my power to maintain a strong budget that allows me to pay for important expenses like tuition, books, and living costs, while still leaving room for fun activities. Overall, I believe the financial skills and knowledge I’ve gained will help me make smarter decisions, avoid debt, and create a secure future for myself.

My experience with faith is more spiritual than tied to organized religion. Having faith in God has always been a priority in my life, something my mother instilled in me from an early age through the importance of prayer and gratitude. My family is rooted in strong spiritual convictions, and I carry that with me daily. I give thanks to God and His son, Jesus Christ, not only in moments of success but in everyday life. For me, faith is not something I practice occasionally. It is a way of living, guiding how I think, act, and treat others. One of the most important lessons my faith has taught me is that love is shown through actions. It is not enough to say you believe; you have to live it. I try to take the higher road, even when it is difficult, and avoid negativity by praying for guidance and strength. There have been times when I felt out of place because not everyone shares my beliefs, and at times, I have felt pushed aside for what I stand for. Even so, I remain committed to my personal journey with Jesus, trusting that my faith has purpose and direction. A key principle I live by comes from Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” This verse reminds me to lead with kindness and forgiveness. I am not perfect, and there are moments when I struggle, but I always return to this message. Forgiveness is something I have learned to practice consistently. When someone hurts me, I choose to let go rather than hold onto negativity. In my experience, forgiveness often feels like moving forward without carrying the weight of the past. I plan to make a positive impact on the world by living out these principles of love, faith, and community service in practical ways. Through my education, I want to build a future where I can support others, encourage growth, and create environments where people feel respected and valued. Whether through my career, my creative work, or my daily interactions, I want to reflect the compassion and understanding that my faith has taught me. Community service, to me, begins with how I treat people every day. It is in offering help when someone needs it, showing patience, and being willing to listen. As I continue my education, I plan to become more involved in community efforts that uplift others, especially those who may feel overlooked or unsupported. I want to use my skills and experiences to contribute in meaningful ways, whether through mentoring, creative outreach, or simply being a source of encouragement. My faith has shaped who I am and who I strive to become. It has taught me to love others, to forgive, and to remain grounded even in difficult moments. As I move forward, I plan to carry these values with me, using them to guide my actions and influence the world around me in a positive and lasting way.

Growing up as the child of a single parent in the LGBTQ+ community shaped much of how I see the world. Expressing myself has never come easily. I often felt caught between wanting to fit in and honoring the experiences I witnessed at home. My parents’ journey through challenges, legal, social, and personal, taught me lessons I could not fully name as a child. Still, I felt them in daily life: resilience, patience, and the quiet strength of simply continuing forward when the world seemed stacked against you. I remember moments when I noticed the subtle ways the world treated us differently. Whether it was classmates asking questions I could not answer or teachers making assumptions about my family, I learned early that not everyone understood or accepted the reality I lived in. It made me hesitant to speak up, hesitant to share my own thoughts, because expressing myself felt like exposing a part of our family that others might judge. At the same time, I saw the courage it took for my parents to live authentically. That courage left an impression on me, even if my own voice was quieter. Being raised in this environment has shaped my goals for the future. I want to use my education to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported, regardless of their background. I plan to study in a field where I can combine creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills to influence both ideas and systems. Whether through community projects, advocacy, or professional work, I hope to make environments more inclusive, especially for people who struggle to express themselves or feel misunderstood. I also want to bring empathy into everything I do. Having grown up watching the emotional labor my parents carried, handling discrimination, navigating healthcare and legal systems, and managing daily responsibilities, I understand the unseen challenges many people face. I want to use my skills to make those challenges less isolating for others. For instance, developing programs or initiatives that give young people safe spaces to express themselves, or creating art and media that reflect diverse experiences, would be ways to translate my education into real impact. The experience of being a child in this community has made me both cautious and thoughtful. I consider how actions affect others, how words can help or harm. I plan to apply this awareness in my work and in my interactions, always asking how my choices can empower people who feel silenced or overlooked. While expressing myself is still mildly difficult, I know that education offers tools and opportunities to speak in ways I could not as a child. My goal is to turn that voice into action that benefits others. Growing up in a household with a single LGBTQ+ parent was not always easy, but it gave me perspective, resilience, and empathy. I want to take those lessons into the world, using my education to make it more inclusive, understanding, and supportive. I hope that through what I study and the work I do, others will feel recognized and validated, and that even those who struggle to express themselves will see that their experiences matter.

I watched the government shutdown unfold and tried to imagine how it affected people living with mental illness. I have never needed medication or therapy myself, but I could feel how sudden pauses in support might have unsettled so many lives. Clinics reduced their hours. Hotlines became harder to reach. I imagined people who depended on these services feeling anxious, unsure where to turn, or even invisible. The thought weighed on me because even without firsthand experience, it was easy to picture the tension and fear that must have built up. The impact was not only financial. Missing appointments or losing access to care for even a short period might have intensified feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety. I pictured someone waiting for a call that never came, someone who relied on the structure of their routine to feel stable. I could feel how fragile that stability must have been and how quickly it could crumble when external support disappeared. Two weeks might not seem long to some, but for those relying on these programs, every day matters. Even though I have never personally navigated these challenges, I could see how daily life for people with mental illness could have become heavier. Routines that bring stability vanished. Support networks that make life manageable faltered. The smallest interruptions might have felt enormous. I imagined the relief of a single call being answered, a counselor’s voice on the line, or a neighbor checking in to remind someone they were not alone. Those small gestures could have prevented despair and offered reassurance during a time of uncertainty. The shutdown showed me that systems designed to support mental health are fragile when interrupted. From my perspective, simple measures could ease the burden and provide comfort. Ensuring mental health programs continue operating even during funding delays would prevent unnecessary stress. Telehealth or virtual check-ins could help people stay connected to care when clinics cannot remain open. Community volunteers or peer networks reaching out proactively could remind individuals that someone is thinking about them, someone notices their struggle, and someone cares. Even outside of personal experience, I could feel the importance of empathy and attention. For people living with mental illness, it is not only access to treatment that matters, but also knowing that someone acknowledges the difficulty and validates the experience. Those small acts of recognition, support, and presence might make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling held. I thought about the long-term consequences, too. Even after the shutdown ended, the sense of uncertainty and disruption would likely linger. Recovery from stress, from broken routines, and from missed support takes time. I hope that policymakers and communities consider not only funding but also the human experience, because care is not only about programs, it is about people. The shutdown reminded me that mental health is delicate and essential. Even without living it myself, I felt the weight of what people might have endured. I hope future systems, combined with compassionate community efforts, can prevent this kind of struggle. A small gesture, a phone call, a message of concern, or uninterrupted access to care can make life steadier for someone whose mental health depends on support that is often invisible to others.

My future goals are centered on academic excellence, creative growth, and meaningful community impact. While in college, I plan to continue maintaining my strong academic record while pursuing a field related to game design, where I can focus on concept art, character creation, and environmental design. I want to challenge myself through rigorous coursework while also developing practical skills that will prepare me for a competitive career. In addition, I plan to build strong connections with professors, peers, and industry professionals, understanding that these relationships can open doors to opportunities and long-term success. Beyond academics, I aim to grow personally and creatively. I want to continue developing my artistic abilities while also exploring new experiences, including travel, that can inspire my work. Financial stability is an important goal for me, as it will allow me to support my passions and invest in my future. At the same time, I plan to approach my education with a scientific and critical mindset, always seeking to learn, question, and improve. After graduation, my goal is to secure a stable and fulfilling career in the gaming or creative industry. I hope to work as a concept artist or in a related role where I can contribute to projects that challenge me and allow me to collaborate with others. Over time, I want to grow within my field, gaining the experience and confidence to take on larger creative responsibilities. Ultimately, I hope to work on personal projects that reflect my own ideas and perspectives, creating meaningful and engaging experiences for others. Community service has been an important part of my journey, particularly through encouraging others to explore creativity and art. I have supported my community by sharing my skills, helping others with creative projects, and promoting artistic expression among my peers. These experiences have shown me the importance of making creativity accessible and using my abilities to uplift others. In college, I plan to continue this service by joining or creating art-based organizations, mentoring younger students, and participating in programs that provide creative opportunities to others. I want to help build environments where people feel encouraged to express themselves and develop their own talents. Beyond college, I hope to expand this impact by creating accessible art resources and supporting underrepresented individuals in creative fields. Overall, my future goals focus on building a stable and successful career while continuing to give back to my community. By combining my academic dedication, creative passion, and commitment to service, I aim to create a future that is both personally fulfilling and positively impactful for others.