I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome along with spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. I had daily home nurses that would help care for my medical needs. My school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve more than what was anticipated. I was an underdog the moment I took my first breath of life but I refused to let my diagnosis define me. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits, I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. As a young man, I now major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. However, due to my current physical limitations, I have not been able to gain employment. I want nothing more than to continue my studies and additional funds would help make my dream of receiving a Bachelor’s Degree a reality. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact by becoming a cybersecurity hero. Admittedly, this past year has been quite challenging physically. Last summer I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. I spent seven days in the intensive care unit at the hospital, several months of recuperation, and physical therapy. I was fearful that this surgery would prevent me from attending college and that I would undergo a major set-back. My physicians were concerned about possible sickness, and other less minor issues, such as simply carrying a backpack full of books. Although this was the most trying time of my life, and the pain that I endured was immeasurable, I persevered. I was determined to go back to college, walk the long distances throughout the large campus, and sit in the classroom chairs at length, even in spite of the pain. I triumphed over adversity and excelled in all my classes. I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities.

Shortly after my father arrived home from a year long active duty service at a time of war, my mother became pregnant with me. Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my father has reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of his life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. The physician's medical assessments were my reality. I was cared for daily by home nurses that attended to my personal needs. She feared raising an ill child without my father but he continually encouraged her to be courageous. The military taught my father to be brave when faced with fear and he wanted nothing more than to help serve our country. In spite of any trepidation that arised, she supported him wholeheartedly. Through the years, I missed him during his monthly weekend trips, his yearly two week travels, and his one month stay in Norway, but I thought it was really cool to have a Marine as a dad. My father, who served in the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school up until I aged out. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless for several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. My father’s service to the Marine Corps has taught me to support my community, to have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. He taught me the importance of fellowship, community, connecting with and supporting others. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. Additionally, my father’s time in the service has helped to build my own character, and has shown me how to be a positive role model to others. It was my hope to follow in my father’s footsteps and serve our country, but my medical ailments rendered that impossible. Admittedly, last year I faced one of my biggest challenges. I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. Although this was the most trying time of my life, and the pain that I endured was immeasurable, I persevered. I was determined to go back to college, walk the distances throughout the large campus, and sit in the classroom chairs at length, even in spite of the pain. My father’s Marine Corps service has continued to influence my life and he taught me to face adversity head on, and to never give up. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment, and most importantly believing in yourself. I I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

Shortly after my father arrived home from a year long active duty service in the state of North Carolina, my mother became pregnant with me. Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. The physician's medical assessments were my reality. I was cared for daily by home nurses and aides that attended to my personal needs. My father was an active reservist through my childhood, and admittedly, there were times my mother was terrified that my father would be activated once again. She feared raising an ill child without my father but he continually encouraged her to be courageous. The military taught my father to be brave when faced with fear and he wanted nothing more than to help serve our country. In spite of any trepidation that arised, she supported him wholeheartedly. Through the years, I missed him during his monthly weekend trips, his yearly two week travels, and his one month stay in Norway, but I thought it was really cool to have a Marine as a dad. My father, who served in the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school up until I aged out. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless for several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. My father’s service to the Marine Corps has taught me to support my community, to have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. He taught me the importance of fellowship, community, connecting with and supporting others. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. Additionally, my father’s time in the service has helped to build my own character, and has shown me how to be a positive role model to others. It was my hope to follow in my father’s footsteps and serve our country, but my medical ailments rendered that impossible. Admittedly, last year I faced one of my biggest challenges. I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. I spent seven days in the intensive care unit, several months of recuperation, and physical therapy. Although this was the most trying time of my life, and the pain that I endured was immeasurable, I persevered. I fought tirelessly to achieve my educational goals and earned exceptional grades. My father’s service has continued to influence my life and my career path. At a young age, my father instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic. He taught me to face adversity head on, and to never give up. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment, and most importantly believing in yourself.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my mother has reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of her life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly which was diagnosed via sonogram during my mother’s pregnancy. She was advised to terminate the pregnancy, as the outlook for my future appeared grim, but she wanted nothing more than to give me life, so she refused. My mother was instructed to remain on bed rest until my birth, which led to her having to quit her job and drop out of college. My mother was ecstatic to be able to bring me home at seven days old, but it was only a few short hours after arrival that I went into cardiac failure in her arms and was rushed by ambulance back to the hospital. I had open heart surgery to repair the defects, and my mother remained by my bedside at the hospital, sleeping on a small chair every night, for an entire month. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My mother was informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. They educated her on my future limitations and their low expectations of me experiencing a normal life. Not only did my mother have to care for an ill baby, but she was unable to leave the house during the first year of my life per my physician’s instructions. You see, any cold or virus would have gone straight to my little heart, and I was already on a myriad of medications to help make it function better. My mother was unable to work, or re-enroll in college to pursue her degree, as I needed twenty-four hour care. Every night I would sleep in her bed, and she would stay up during the evening hours until the morning, to simply watch me sleep and ensure I was breathing. I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. My mother was my advocate, and she had numerous meetings with my teachers, counselors, and principle to negotiate IEP accommodations and services. She fought tirelessly to make certain my medical needs were being met, that I was being treated fairly, and that I was growing up in a world where I wasn’t stigmatized. Admittedly, I was aware that I was “different” than my peers, and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. My mother was desperate for me to experience a normal childhood so she moved us to the town that she grew up in hoping that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader, so I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. I am so grateful to my mother, my protectant, for vacating our home and city so I could start anew. My mother knew in her heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated and continually motivated me to press on. She believed in me even during times I struggled to believe in myself. My mother taught me at a very early age the importance of education. She spent countless hours helping me study my curriculums in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge but my mother instilled in me a strong will to succeed. I was also able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, she encouraged me to be a team player and support my peers. My mother was a loud and proud baseball mom, screaming on the sidelines, and always my biggest cheerleader. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, and achieve exceptional grades. I attribute so much of my accomplishments, my personal growth, and who I am to my mother. My mother has made incredible sacrifices for me, always puts my needs before her own, and her strength has helped me endure the most challenging situations. My mother was my first best friend, my role model, and has taught me to treat all people with respect and kindness. It’s true, a mother’s love knows no bounds, and her selfless love continues to inspire me. There is no amount of thank yous to repay her for all she has given up to ensure that I have a rewarding life. I am who I am today because I have a sacrificial mother that loved me unconditionally before I took my first breath.

Shortly after my father arrived home from a year long active duty service in the state of North Carolina, my mother became pregnant with me. Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. The physician's medical assessments were my reality. I was cared for daily by home nurses and aides that attended to my personal needs. My father was an active reservist through my childhood, and admittedly, there were times my mother was terrified that my father would be activated once again. She feared raising an ill child without my father but he continually encouraged her to be courageous. The military taught my father to be brave when faced with fear and he wanted nothing more than to help serve our country. In spite of any trepidation that arised, she supported him wholeheartedly. Through the years, I missed him during his monthly weekend trips, his yearly two week travels, and his one month stay in Norway, but I thought it was really cool to have a Marine as a dad. My father, who served in the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school up until I aged out. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless for several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. My father’s service to the Marine Corps has taught me to support my community, to have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. He taught me the importance of fellowship, community, connecting with and supporting others. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. Additionally, my father’s time in the service has helped to build my own character, and has shown me how to be a positive role model to others. My father’s Marine Corps service has continued to influence my life and my career path. At a young age, my father instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic. He taught me to face adversity head on, and to never give up. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment, and most importantly believing in yourself. It is a dream of mine to earn a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Cybersecurity. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome along with other spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Admittedly, last year I faced one of my biggest challenges. I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. I spent seven days in the intensive care unit at the hospital, several months of recuperation, and physical therapy. I was fearful that this surgery would prevent me from attending my courses and that I would undergo a major set-back. My physicians were concerned about possible sickness, and other less minor issues, such as simply carrying a backpack full of books. Although this was the most trying time of my life, and the pain that I endured was immeasurable, I persevered. I was determined to go back to college, walk the distances throughout the large campus, and sit in the classroom chairs at length, even in spite of the pain. I fought tirelessly to achieve my educational goals and earned exceptional grades. Although I triumphed over adversity, and excelled in all of my classes, I have not been able to physically work. Receiving this generous scholarship will help with the financial support I need to pursue higher education. I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities. When I was a child, unlike my peers, I didn't dream of being an astronaut or a race car driver. Technology intrigued me, and I knew at a very early age that I would want to pursue a career in this field. During my childhood, annual salaries were not of importance, but I was keenly aware early on that technology would play a significant role in my life. As a young man, I'm still a "tech buff" and now major in my dream career - Cybersecurity and Networking, along with minoring in Computer Science. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, family, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. Technology is not the issue, it’s the people behind these devices that are. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. I was cared for daily by home nurses and aides that attended to my personal needs. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. My father volunteered to be a coach for the town’s baseball league and I was able to participate for several years. Even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. Admittedly, last year I faced one of my biggest challenges. I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. I spent seven days in the intensive care unit at the hospital, several months of recuperation, and physical therapy. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. I have refused to let my diagnosis define me. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in my courses and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than you can imagine!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My mother was informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. My mother was unable to work as I needed twenty-four hour care. Every night I would sleep in her bed, and she would stay up during the evening hours until the morning, to simply watch me sleep and ensure I was breathing. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. She fought tirelessly to make certain my medical needs were being met, that I was being treated fairly, and that I was growing up in a world where I wasn’t stigmatized. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. My mother was desperate for me to experience a normal childhood so she moved us to the town that she grew up in hoping that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader, so I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. My mother knew in her heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated and continually motivated me to press on. She believed in me even during times I struggled to believe in myself. My mother taught me at a very early age the importance of education. She spent countless hours helping me study my curriculums in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge but my mother instilled in me a strong will to succeed. I was also able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, she encouraged me to be a team player and support my peers. My mother was a loud and proud baseball mom, screaming on the sidelines, and always my biggest cheerleader. With diligence and determination I was able to achieve exceptional grades. I attribute so much of my accomplishments, my personal growth, and who I am to my mother. My mother has made incredible sacrifices for me, always puts my needs before her own, and her strength has helped me endure the most challenging situations. My mother was my first best friend, my role model, and has taught me to treat all people with respect and kindness. It’s true, a mother’s love knows no bounds, and her selfless love continues to inspire me. There is no amount of thank you's to repay her for all she has given up to ensure that I have a rewarding life. I am who I am today because I have a sacrificial mother that loved me unconditionally before I took my first breath.

was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the atrial and ventricular septal defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. I remained a Boy Scout up until I aged out and one of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home,” has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with, and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. Currently, I am a sophomore in college, and majoring in Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact in my community by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly which was diagnosed via sonogram during my mother’s pregnancy. She was advised to terminate the pregnancy, as the outlook for my future appeared grim, but she wanted nothing more than to give me life, so she refused. My mother was instructed to remain on bed rest until my birth, which led to her having to quit her job and drop out of college. My mother was ecstatic to be able to bring me home at seven days old, but it was only a few short hours after arrival that I went into cardiac failure in her arms and was rushed by ambulance back to the hospital. I had open heart surgery to repair the defects, and my mother remained by my bedside at the hospital, sleeping on a small chair every night, for an entire month. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My mother was informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. They educated her on my future limitations and their low expectations of me experiencing a normal life. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My mother was unable to work, or re-enroll in college to pursue her degree, as I needed twenty-four hour care. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. She fought tirelessly to make certain my medical needs were being met, that I was being treated fairly, and that I was growing up in a world where I wasn’t stigmatized. Although there are no amount of thank you's to repay her for all she has given up to ensure that I had a rewarding life, she was unable to save finances to provide me with a college education. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. Admittedly, last year I faced one of my biggest challenges. I underwent major surgery on my spine, which led me to have two rods and twenty-six screws surgically placed in my back, and a six-month long recovery. I spent seven days in the intensive care unit at the hospital, several months of recuperation, and physical therapy. I refuse to let my diagnoses define me. Receiving this scholarship will help me get one step closer to pursuing my dream career - Cybersecurity. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. Technology is not the issue, it’s the people behind these devices that are. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the atrial and ventricular septal defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. I remained a Boy Scout up until I aged out and one of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home,” has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with, and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. Currently, I am a sophomore in college, and majoring in Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact in my community by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the atrial and ventricular septal defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. I remained a Boy Scout up until I aged out and one of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home,” has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with, and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. Currently, I am a sophomore in college, and majoring in Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact in my community by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than anyone can imagine!

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. They educated them on my future limitations and their low expectations of me experiencing a normal life. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. I had home nurses and aides that would help to care for me daily. My elementary school years consisted of many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. Admittedly, I was aware that I was “different” than my peers, and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. Due to my disabilities, I was at a greater risk of experiencing bullying, low self-esteem, and isolation. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. Since then, I had been a Boy Scout until I aged out. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. Through my personal struggles, I have learned the importance of fellowship, being present with people, connecting with and supporting others. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms, this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. I had home nurses and aides that would help to care for me daily. My elementary school years consisted of many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. Admittedly, I was aware that I was “different” than my peers, and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and a change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after-school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities, this was a major challenge but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. With perseverance, hard work, and commitment, I began to excel academically. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to helping others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community, and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” For years, I was burdened with shame and felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my educational goals and to feel valued by others. I am now a freshman in college, majoring in the field of Cybersecurity, and hoping that after graduation I will work with the military. I want to continue to not only prove to others but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. What I’ve learned from my volunteer work with the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Some children dream of being a police officer or a firefighter when they grow up. When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. In the fall of 2022, I began my first year of college and I am majoring in my dream career - Cybersecurity. I completed a Cybersecurity course at my high school, received a 100, and have been drawn to this career choice ever since. Through my own personal struggles with bullying, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats and bullying, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms, this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges, and we need to be more present with the people around us. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful to the Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. Through my personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to helping others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. I have been a tech buff since I was a child, have taken every technology course offered by my school, and have excelled in each one. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats and bullying, and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact in my community and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

Some children dream of being a police officer or a firefighter when they grow up. When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. We are all at risk from cyber threats. and by choosing a career in Cybersecurity, allows me to help protect others against these crimes. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We live in a connected world, and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact on my community and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I feel I am an excellent candidate for receiving this scholarship because I have fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. I have had many obstacles to overcome but I have been determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Through my own struggles with mental health, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, and I fought tirelessly to feel valued by others. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I would not allow my diagnosis to define me. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. Depression and anxiety are soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I still fight this ongoing battle, but I refuse to give up hope. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

The characteristic that I value most in myself is my determination to overcome adversities. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home,” has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. My father volunteered to be a coach for the town’s baseball league, and I was able to participate for several years. Even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than they know!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. My family was no stranger to mental health afflictions having suffered from panic disorder and agoraphobia themselves. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We need to be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. Through my own struggles with mental health, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. I would not allow my diagnosis to define me. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to feel valued by others. Society can help break mental health stigmas by educating themselves, showing compassion, and learning acceptance. As a community, we need to have positive perceptions and empathy for people who suffer from mental health issues. As a society we need to remove the stereotype and understand the negative impact that societal stigmas have on individuals. Depression and anxiety are soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I still fight this ongoing battle, but I refuse to give up hope. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless for several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We all need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many people feel hopeless, and many of us need a reminder that we're not alone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. I hope my tenacity, determination, and love for my community will leave an impact on others.

I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. Some children dream of being a police officer or a firefighter when they grow up. When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats and bullying, and by choosing a career in cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. We live in a connected world, and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. Some children dream of being a police officer or a firefighter when they grow up. When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We are all at risk from cyber threats and bullying, and by choosing a career in cybersecurity, it will allow me to help protect others against these crimes. Technology is not the issue, it’s the people behind these devices that are. We live in a connected world, and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make an impact and make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. My father volunteered to be a coach for the town’s baseball league, and I was able to participate for several years. Even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. I had many obstacles to overcome but I have been determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic.

I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. Some children dream of being a police officer or a firefighter when they grow up. When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - cybersecurity. We are all at risk from cyber threats. and by choosing a career in cybersecurity, allows me to help protect others against these crimes. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We live in a connected world, and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home,” has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

If I had $1,000 right now, it would go directly into my home safe, where I'm saving money in hopes that I can attend college and major in my dream career - cybersecurity. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Through my own personal struggles with bullying, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. Bullying goes beyond physical or emotional abuse - it takes place digitally every day and affects so many of us in our modern world. We are all at risk from cyber threats. and by choosing a career in cybersecurity, allows me to help protect others against these crimes. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. We live in a connected world, and I want to play an important role in making it more secure for others. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairments. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story. Questions: When I was a child, all things "tech" appealed to me, and I knew at a young age that I would want to pursue a career in a technology field. At the time, I was unaware of annual salaries and responsibilities, but I knew early on that technology would play an important role in my life. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. Receiving a bachelor's degree, would not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am more than my disabilities. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for various food drives, donated my childhood toys to local churches, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone, and helped clean local churches and neighborhoods, installed/raised/lowered American flags at local markets and our community schools, shopped locally, and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. I feed my curiosity outside of school by engaging in activities with my troop and friends. Admittedly, I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same.

1.) I deserve this scholarship because my GPA is below average, I bombed my SAT's, I am the class clown, and I'm one failing grade from flunking out of high school. 2.) My academic career goal is to be a professional video gamer, lounging around all day in pajamas, while stuffing my mouth with junk food. 3.) My biggest obstacle I have overcome, and one of my proudest achievements after years of disappointment, was solving how to win a Pokémon plush toy with a claw crane at the arcade.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but my new community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. My father volunteered to be a coach for the town’s baseball league, and I was able to participate for several years. Even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, and honorable. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless for several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. We all need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We should be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and many of us need a reminder that we're not alone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” We can all work together to break disability stigmas by educating ourselves, showing compassion, and learning acceptance. As a community, we need to have positive perceptions and empathy for people who suffer from disabilities. Through spreading awareness, I can help remove the stereotype and educate others on the negative impact that societal stigmas have on individuals. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals and to feel valued by others. With diligence, determination, proper study habits, and most importantly my community, I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic and I hope to continue to inspire others. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. I plan to make an impact on my community through my future career by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I didn’t have any friends, making every day a struggle, which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. Due to my disabilities, I was at a greater risk of experiencing bullying, low self-esteem, and isolation. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of fellowship, connecting with, and supporting others. It is my hope that by spreading awareness I can help remove the stereotype and educate others on the negative impact that these stigmas have on individuals. We need to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We need to be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. Society can help break disability stigmas by educating themselves, showing compassion, and learning acceptance. As a community, we need to have positive perceptions and empathy for people who suffer from disabilities.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless over the past several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I also contribute much of my own personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless over the past several years is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. By giving back, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am.

My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. With new advances in technology, bullying no longer exists just in a school setting. I have been a tech buff since I was a child, have taken every technology course offered by my school, and have excelled in each one. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. Cyberbullying takes on many forms, and through my own personal struggles, I have become passionate about helping others to feel safe. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to protect others, and he has inspired me to do the same. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. With new advances in technology, bullying no longer exists just in a school setting. I have been a tech buff since I was a child, have taken every technology course offered by my school, and have excelled in each one. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. Cyberbullying takes on many forms, and through my own personal struggles, I have become passionate about helping others to feel safe. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to protect others, and he has inspired me to do the same. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. With new advances in technology, bullying no longer exists just in a school setting. I have been a tech buff since I was a child, have taken every technology course offered by my school, and have excelled in each one. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. Cyberbullying takes on many forms, and through my own personal struggles, I have become passionate about helping others to feel safe. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to protect others, and he has inspired me to do the same. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so thankful to now be accepted - just as I am. I have had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

My school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I have been a tech buff since I was a child and have taken every technology course offered by my school. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Shortly after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story. Let’s go!

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairments. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self-confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grade. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. I will continue to not let my diagnosis define me. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Shortly after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was extremely challenging, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I am grateful to be one of the few that beat the odds by refusing to be a statistic. This scholarship will impact my future by allowing me to attend college and pursue my dream career in the field of Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. I want to be awarded this scholarship to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than they know!

After years of being bullied by my peers, my parents moved us to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. One of the most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges, and we need to be more present with the people around us. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am.

One of my most invaluable experiences has been giving back to my community. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges, and we need to be more present with the people around us. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America since elementary school. Over the past several years, I have spent countless hours volunteering for various food drives, donating my childhood toys to local churches, putting together health kits for the needy, and distributing clothes to the homeless. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, and contributed to my community. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero. .

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail, and I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours. and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. My father volunteered to be a coach for the town’s baseball league, and I was able to participate for several years. Even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story. I may not have been born with a fully developed heart, but I have more heart than they know!

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” For years, I was burdened with shame, felt socially left out, but I fought tirelessly to achieve my goals. I refused to let my diagnosis define me. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail, and I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. I've also learned to have positive perceptions and empathy for people who suffer from disabilities, like myself. We need to remove the stereotype and understand the negative impact that societal stigmas have on individuals. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of compassion, connecting with and supporting others. I attribute much of my own personal growth to others who have embraced equality, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. My school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was the town's Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community, and played for the town’s baseball league. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I attribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. I have had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I have been a tech buff since I was a child, have taken every technology course offered by my school, and have excelled in each one. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. My initial attraction to this career was driven by my love for technology, and though I want to create solutions to cyber threats, there is also a human element. It is my hope to impact our world by becoming an "avenger" and taking a stand to fight against cyber-crime. In this field, there is a battle between good and evil, and I hope to make a difference by becoming a cybersecurity hero.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and spinal abnormalities. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental, physical, and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Due to my disabilities, I was at a greater risk of experiencing bullying, low self-esteem, and isolation. Society can help to support diversity by educating themselves, showing compassion, and learning acceptance. Children with disabilities should not grow up in a world where they feel “different.” As a community, we need to have positive perceptions and empathy for people who suffer from disabilities, like myself. We need to remove the stereotype and understand the negative impact that societal stigmas have on individuals. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. Society needs to remember that everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We need to be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. Through giving back to my community, I have learned the importance of equality, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to others who have embraced equality, and I am so grateful to now be accepted - just as I am.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope, acceptance, and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self -confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges, and we need to be more present with the people around us. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. I have always been a tech buff! I want to continue to not only prove to others, but more importantly myself, that I am so much more than my disabilities.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. My family was no stranger to mental health afflictions having suffered from panic disorder and agoraphobia themselves. My own mother majored in the field of Psychology hoping to put an end to the madness that they were encountering. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We need to be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Through my own struggles with mental health, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes and achieve exceptional grades. Depression and anxiety are soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I still fight this ongoing battle, but I refuse to give up hope. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. They educated them on my future limitations and their low expectations of me experiencing a normal life. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. My family was no stranger to mental health afflictions having suffered from panic disorder and agoraphobia themselves. My own mother majored in the field of Psychology hoping to put an end to the madness that they were encountering. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. We need to be present with the people around us. So many people feel hopeless, and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. Through my own struggles with mental health, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. I would not allow my diagnosis to define me. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge, but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Depression and anxiety are soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I still fight this ongoing battle, but I refuse to give up hope. When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade! My future plan for the fall of 2022 is to attend college and major in my dream career - Cybersecurity. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.

I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my emotional health. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope, acceptance, and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined my local troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self -confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges, and we need to be more present with the people around us. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school. Over the past several years, I have spent countless hours volunteering for various food drives, donating my childhood toys to local churches, putting together health kits for the needy, and distributing clothes to the homeless. Every year our troop honors veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone. I have helped clean the Westport Point United Methodist church and neighborhoods, put up/down the flags at Lee's Market and the Westport Elementary School, shop locally to help businesses, and I've displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. I give back to my community, but admittedly, they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am!

I have been a member of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 63, since elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for various food drives, donated my childhood toys to local churches, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone, and helped clean the Westport Point United Methodist church and neighborhoods, put up/down the flags at Lee's Market and the Westport Elementary School, shopping locally, and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts of America for helping to build my character and showing me how to be a positive role model. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. My father, who is a member of the Marine Corps, dedicated years of his life to help others, and he has inspired me to do the same. Immersing myself in my community and giving back to a place I call “home”, has given me a sense of purpose and identity.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours, and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent countless hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom to improve my grades. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society.

My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope, belonging, and new beginnings. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self -confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion, empathy, and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. We all yearn to be understood and be accepted. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others.

In fourth grade, I joined the Boy Scouts and I have learned what true community is. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. I have been a member of Boy Scouts, Troop 63, since Elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for various food drives, donated my toys to local churches, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone, and helped clean the Westport Point United Methodist church and neighborhoods, put up/down the flags at Lee's Market and the Elementary school, shopping locally, and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts, as well as my community, for helping to build my character, and showing me how to be a positive role model. I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health, and I was plagued with severe anxiety. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self -confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others. I contribute much of my personal growth to my community, and I am so grateful to be accepted - just as I am.

My favorite way to help others is to give back to my community. I have helped my community over the past several years by volunteering. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. So many of us feel hopeless and we all need a reminder that we're not alone. I have been a member of Boy Scouts, Troop 63, since Elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for various food drives, donated my toys to local churches, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone, and helped clean the Westport Point United Methodist church and neighborhoods, put up/down the flags at Lee's Market and the Elementary school, shopping locally, and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. I give back to my community, but they have given me so much more in return. I am thankful for Boy Scouts, as well as my community, for helping to build my character, and showing me how to be a positive role model. Through my own personal struggles, I have learned the importance of community, fellowship, connecting with and supporting others.

When I was a child, I was bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self- confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone. There are many people less fortunate than myself, and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I have been a member of Troop 63, since Elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for food drives, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away, and helped clean my local church, put up/down the flags at local markets, and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life and hopefully impact others.

One of my favorite hobbies is being Boy Scout. I have been a member of Boy Scouts, Troop 63, since Elementary school. Over the past several years, I have volunteered for various food drives, put together health kits for the needy, distributed clothes to the homeless, honored veterans that passed away by placing flags near each tombstone, and helped clean the Westport Point United Methodist church, put up/down the flags at Lee's Market and the Elementary school and displayed leadership by helping younger scouts. I have been a Boy Scout for half of my life, so it has taught me to be dedicated to my community, have good morale, leadership, to be law-abiding, honorable and self-confident. Every year I've attended summer camp where all scouts take courses to earn badges and learn many skills that can be applied to daily life. It's always a great time kayaking, fishing, attending church, and making smores sitting around the campfire. I have learned citizenship skills that will continue to influence my life. I am thankful for Boy Scouts for helping to build my character. Another hobby of mine since childhood has been playing baseball for the Babe Ruth League in my town. My proudest personal achievement is winning the championship for my baseball team. I have suffered a few major injuries while playing, including an eye injury, and a broken hand but I have made memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. I have always supported my team in spite of injuries and never missed a game even though I was not physically able to play. My favorite hobbies have helped to mold me into the young man that I am today.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade! Today I stand, proud and confident, ready for the next chapter of my story.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone.There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Depression and anxiety is soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. I will continue to share my journey, offer hope to those in need, and strive to be a positive role model to others. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Although I have no recollection of my infancy, my parents have reminded me through the years that it was the most fearful time of their life. I was born with a rare and complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms this meant that my heart was not formed correctly. Seven days after my birth I went into cardiac failure and had open heart surgery to repair the defects. Having a lengthy and complicated heart bypass procedure exposed my brain to stress and the lack of oxygen is known to hinder brain function. My parents were informed by my surgeons to expect lifelong cognitive delays and impairment. They educated them on my future limitations and their low expectations of me experiencing a normal life. As I entered childhood, the physician's medical assessments were my reality. My elementary school years consisted of my many developmental and educational challenges. I was a special needs student with autism, ADHD, and also required occupational, physical, and speech therapy routinely. I rode a special bus and was placed in learning disability classrooms. I was aware that I was “different” than my peers and they certainly didn’t let me forget it. I was constantly bullied for wearing a scoliosis brace, apparent speech issues, and inability to perform at grade level. Every day was a struggle which took a toll on my mental health and I was plagued with severe anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. By fourth grade, my parents moved to a new town in hopes that a fresh environment and change of school would turn the tide. This relocation to the town of Westport brought a sense of hope and new beginnings. During my first year here, I struggled educationally and emotionally, but the community accepted me with open arms and understanding. My teacher, who became my mentor, was also the town’s Boy Scout troop leader. I joined the troop, made many friends, contributed to my community and gained self confidence. One of the most invaluable experiences was giving back to my community by doing volunteer work. What I’ve learned from helping the homeless is the importance of compassion and being kind in a world that often can be cruel. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle, and a simple gesture, or an act of kindness, can have a huge impact on someone.There are many people less fortunate than myself and I find it rewarding to give others in need a helping hand. I had many obstacles to overcome but I was determined to prevail. I knew in my heart that I could achieve much more than what was anticipated. Although I struggled daily with anxiety, I refused to allow it to destroy my future. My teachers offered extra help during after school hours and I took the opportunity whenever possible. I spent many hours studying my curriculums outside of the classroom in order to improve my grades. Due to my learning disabilities this was a major challenge but I had a strong will to succeed and be accepted. I was able to participate in the town’s baseball league for several years, and even though I had limited athletic ability, I learned how to be a team player and support my peers. By the time I reached my high school years I began to reap the benefits of my work ethic. With diligence, determination, and proper study habits I was able to excel in honors classes, achieve exceptional grades, and was invited to participate in the honor society. The road to success is not easy, it takes perseverance, hard work, commitment and most importantly believing in yourself. Depression and anxiety is soul crushing, making every day, sometimes every single minute, a struggle. Life can make you feel discouraged with its continual challenges but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I still fight this ongoing battle but I refuse to give up hope. Today I stand, proud and optimistic, ready for the next chapter of my story.