My first introduction to K-pop was in 7th grade when my friend showed me her favorite BTS music video. However, I would not become a fan until 9th grade. It was then that I was introduced to a new world of music. From BTS to PURPLE KISS, I now listen to various South Korean artists and groups, but the group that holds a special place in my heart is TOMORROW X TOGETHER. By streaming their songs, tuning in to their weekly variety shows, and watching their live streams, I have learned a lot about Korean culture that I had not known before. Not only has the widespread increase of South Korean culture (better known as Hallyu) impacted my life, but it has also allowed for more open-mindedness in the Western world. With TOMORROW X TOGETHER, abbreviated as TXT, I feel the most connected to them because the members and I are close in age. Additionally, their discography utilizes various genres that appeal to me, such as R&B, pop, and rock. One of my all-time favorite songs of theirs is "Frost," which is a combination of pop, dance, and R&B music. Discovering TXT's music made me fall in love with music even more and helped me to develop my musical taste in high school. It also helped my social life, as I have made many friends over my shared love for K-pop. Being a fan of TXT and other artists has introduced me to many aspects of Korean culture, so much so that it gave me a newfound determination to start learning the Korean language. Since I first started listening to K-pop regularly in 2018, I have taught myself how to read Hangul and recognize a variety of Korean vocabulary. Discovering K-pop has made me more open-minded to cultures that are not my own. It gave me a reason to research Korean foods and traditional clothing, and I even started watching Korean TV shows. Not only has the widespread interest in Korean music impacted my life, but it has also impacted the West in general. For example, BTS has set many records in the Western music industry, including being the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They have paved the way for many K-pop artists to be taken more seriously in the Western music industry and are considered one of the leading artists responsible for Hallyu. TXT headlined Lollapalooza, one of the biggest music festivals in the United States, becoming the first South Korean group to do so. As a whole, Hallyu greatly impacted how the world sees Korean artists. It allowed for more representation in the Western music industry and has given talented people the chance to reach a larger audience. I am thankful for the wave because it changed me for the better, and I believe the popularity of K-pop and Korean culture will increase over the years.

I am a person of many interests. From music to art to video games, I enjoy anything that gets my creative juices flowing. One of my main hobbies is making music. I love to write songs, produce beats, sing, and listen to music. As of May 26, 2022, I have 437 subscribers on my YouTube channel for the music I create. Music has always been a huge part of my life, so having the skills to do what I enjoy makes me happy. Another major hobby of mine is drawing. I do both traditional and digital art. I have helped my aunt create a logo for her organization, and people regularly give me compliments on my work. My love for art goes back to elementary school, where I would doodle in my notebooks when I was done with my work in class. I even volunteer at my local art studio from time to time to help give my community access to art classes.

After I earn my bachelor's in computer science, I want to pursue a career in computer programming. I currently do not know if I want to specialize in software or video game programming, but I am certain that I will contribute greatly to the field of STEM. I have always dreamed of creating applications that will benefit the world. The fact that every website and application is made up of lines of code is fascinating to me. I believe the world is in need of technological advancements, and I believe that I can be one of the people that make it happen. As a bisexual Black woman from a low-income household and as someone who struggles with mental health issues, I want to set an example for those younger than me, that change is possible and that we can contribute to that change. I have little sisters that look up to me, and I want them to believe that they can achieve anything that they set their minds to if they truly want it. Most importantly, I want to make my younger self proud.

Growing up in a low-income household, my parents had always made sure I knew how to effectively manage my money. We had to regularly make ends meet, so being reckless was not an option. The best financial advice I received was from my mom: "If you can't buy something twice, you can't afford it." Though she was referencing me wanting to use my birthday money for a new Sims DLC, I realized that this could be applied to any purchasable product. When my parents go to the grocery store, they set aside some money and use half of it for groceries. That way, they do not go overboard and spend more than they need to. Also, this leaves enough money for them to either put in savings or use for emergencies. It keeps the house secure and leaves little room for error. One time I utilized this piece of advice was when I was given $100 to buy clothes for school. I was excited because one of my favorite bands just released the merchandise for their newest album and the new hoodie design looked super cool. Unfortunately, the hoodie was expensive, priced at an appalling $65. I was conflicted because I had enough money to buy the hoodie, and if I did buy it I would have $45 left. But, I would have less money to spend on other clothing such as jeans or shoes, which were more important than band merch. It was a difficult decision, but I decided not to buy the hoodie and instead buy a larger amount of clothing at a cheaper price. I do not regret my decision, and I am glad that I was taught self-control and budgeting skills.

After I graduate college with my bachelor's degree in computer science, I will pursue a career in programming. I am currently undecided on whether I want to specialize in video games or software, but I know that I will succeed regardless of what I choose. I realize that there are many predominantly-white universities in the United States that are perfect for students that want to major in STEM-related fields, However, I believe that attending an HBCU will benefit me more. Being surrounded by people who look like me and share similar experiences is important, and I hear nothing but good things about HBCUs and their culture and quality of education. In particular, I will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana fall of 2022 because they are known for STEM. I want to set an example for future Black women in STEM.

Even since I was in elementary school, I have always wanted to learn how to create my own application. I would search the internet for programs and tutorials for me to use to achieve that goal, and after taking gaming and coding classes in school I realized that I want to pursue a computer science career. I made an effort to educate myself on the basics of code so that I can get an idea of what my job would be like. After I earn my bachelor's degree in computer science, I want to become a computer programmer. I currently have not decided if I wanted to specialize in video games or software, but regardless of what path I choose to follow, I know that I will excel. On one hand, I love video games and have always been interested in putting together my own game from scratch. However, I also want to try something new and work on an app that benefits the general public. With that, I feel as though I am the best candidate for this scholarship because I am passionate about making a difference in the technology world with my skills and creative ideas. I want to be able to create new programs that improve the quality of life for people all over the world, and that journey will start with me going to college to get my degree. Money should never be an obstacle in the path of a student's education. So, I want to lessen the financial burden on my parents as my stepfather is the only worker in our household. I believe that my intelligence and efficiency will be useful to top-tier companies in technology, and I will set an example for future Black and LGBTQ+ women that dream of working in STEM.

One thing that I am passionate about is music. Growing up, I had family members in choir, and my dad wrote his own songs. When I was four, I sang a song as a gift for my mom on Mother's Day. After I saw how happy it made her, I fell in love with music. In elementary school, my biggest dream was to become a world-famous singer and win tons of Grammys. I would spend hours writing songs and performing them in front of my mom and my stepdad. However, after middle school happened, I decided that celebrity status was not for me. Instead, I wanted to express myself with song lyrics that other people could also relate to. That's when I discovered these virtual singers called Vocaloids. I found them so cool that I got my mom to buy me two of them for Christmas. Paired with that, I produced my own music on a program called Mixcraft. In 8th grade, I created a YouTube channel to post my music on; as of January 28, 2022 I have 425 subscribers and over 40,000 views on my channel. I am currently working on a project that I self-produced and wrote, and I will sing it myself. Music has always been a huge part of my upbringing, and I do not think I will give it up. I may not wish to be an A-list celebrity anymore, but I still hope that my music can touch as many people as possible. I think everyone needs a little music in their life.