My deep breaths broke the stillness of the night. As the paddling sounds of the canoe silenced the crickets’ singing, I breathed once more, hoping to ease my anxiety. The stench of freshwater fish filled my lungs. I leaned over to my phone; it was only a few minutes past midnight, and I was in the middle of a river on a canoe. My acquaintance patted my back with assurance, but I was so zoned out. As these young paddlers muttered in French, I was reminded of the reason I started this journey. I am from a family of five living in the bustling streets of Tema, a harbor city on the coast of Ghana, West Africa. With limited resources and social amenities, it is difficult to have a quality education. In our computer lab, over 15 students had to share one old computer. Despite these challenges, I had to compete with others in private institutions to attend the top schools in the country. Born to an engineer dad and an accountant mom, my home has always been an inspiration. My father answered all the scientific questions my curious mind could conceive, and my mother helped me solve countless math problems. They went beyond their parenting duties, giving back to the community through donations and cookouts. My parents’ determination and resilience, coming from harsh conditions to become who they are, have been my biggest inspiration. With all these thoughts filling my head, a smirk crept onto my face. I didn’t even realize we were at the riverbank. I got down and asked my acquaintance how many more kilometers we had to the United States Embassy. He told me we had about 200 kilometers more. My heart started pounding as I thought, “We have to be there before 8 am.” We hopped into a minivan going to Abidjan. Despite a few communication problems and police stops for money, we were able to get there thirty minutes before 8 am. Unable to book a student visa appointment in my own country, I traveled from Tema to Abidjan in Ivory Coast, enduring over 30 hours on the road. This was it. I was next in line for the interview. My name was called five minutes after I had just gotten comfortable. I walked towards the door with confidence, replaying my dad’s words: “I know you can do it. Don’t fear at all.” My smile widened even more. I walked in, and in about fifteen minutes, I walked out with the biggest smile on my face. I wished I could jump; I wished I could scream, but I needed to keep my composure. I did it. Fast forward, I turn to the window from my dorm room, and it’s snowing. I am reminded of this experience. Now over nine thousand kilometers from home, I see the reason I chose to study computer science and graphic design at Augustana College. I am currently working on a machine learning project that acts as a personal tutor for students. This will allow students to learn at their own pace, fostering individual growth. I am determined to hone the skills I acquire here and bring them back to my country. I have hopes of becoming a web designer. My goal is to create a non-governmental organization supporting students in STEM and harnessing their skills. I also plan to establish a scholarship fund, just like the Pierson family Scholarship, to finance these students. I believe I will change the world.

My grandmother covered her mouth in shock. I was in the corner of her room with her radio dismantled into tiny pieces. My five-year-old self wanted to figure out how this tiny box made sound. Were there tiny people in there? What do these wires do? At the time, I did not see the gravity of the situation, but I could sense her anger as she stumped towards me. Since childhood, I have been known for my many questions. Why do things work that way? Is there a way to change that? This flame of curiosity led to many innovative decisions and ideas that I believe will change the world. This essay explores the relationship between my curiosity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit and how they have been valuable qualities in my academic journey. First and foremost, curiosity is my way of understanding the world. Even though my grandmother scolded me for breaking her only radio, she knew that my quest for answers wouldn’t end there. I didn’t dismantle any more radios, but my desire to know “why” never faded. As an international student, I constantly ask questions to understand the cultures and traditions in the United States. For instance, there was an international cultural event on campus where people represented their cultures and shared stories from their countries. This experience broadened my perspective, allowing me to see the world through diverse lenses and enriching my understanding. Moreover, innovation is born from curiosity. I am pursuing a degree in computer science and graphic design, exploring the relationship between art and technology. One of my current projects involves building an artificial intelligence (AI) model for an eBay contest with my friends. We are training it using data to be able to predict the best product to buy based on its availability, model, and price. With every challenge I face, I think to myself, “How can I solve a problem such that it will not repeat itself?” This mindset drives my innovation, helping me develop creative solutions that often address multiple issues at once. I plan to continue using this approach to inspire children to enjoy studying computer science. To create this opportunity, I would need to utilize my entrepreneurial skills. My first-hand experience came from helping my aunt's bag business, where I learned the importance of active listening, adaptability, time management, and problem-solving. I built a community with the customers that went beyond the ordinary buying and selling of goods. These skills are crucial for becoming an outstanding entrepreneur. I hope to establish a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides students with tools to be creative with technology. Additionally, I seek to create a scholarship fund similar to the Aktipis Entrepreneurship Fellowship to support students financially in their educational pursuits. Pursuing education is a journey. I have won awards in mathematics and economics since high school, and I got into Augustana College, my dream school, and received the Dean's List Scholarship and Art Scholarship. I am also maintaining a 4.0 GPA and have earned the nickname “math wiz” in my discrete math class. I discipline myself to study for an hour before the class. In conclusion, the qualities of innovation, curiosity, and entrepreneurial spirit are my greatest possessions. With these qualities, I will be able to establish an NGO and support many people. I also seek to make studying fun and interactive for children all over the world. I am also working on a project where AI can communicate with people in American Sign Language (ASL). I believe that I have the potential to make the world better for all.

I buried my face in my hands, hoping to wake myself from this nightmare. My grades were plummeting, and most of my friends had dropped the Data Structures and Algorithms course a few days before. This course should be fine. Why was I finding it difficult to understand concepts others grasped effortlessly? Seeing other students in the class answer and ask the most intriguing questions, I felt so out of place. However, I was determined to pass this class. Beyond obtaining a degree, this course is a symbol of my ambition—a gateway to becoming a web designer and establishing a non-profit organization. My aspiration to combine logical reasoning and creativity led me to pursue a Computer Science and Graphic Design degree. I am inspired by Mark Wheeler, a web designer and art director at Microsoft, who combines logic and creativity in problem-solving. With proficiency in HTML, Java, and Photoshop, I am prepared for a successful career and equipped with the skills needed to lead initiatives that promote educational equity. Growing up in Tema, Ghana, where access to technology was limited, I understand firsthand the challenges that hinder STEM education in minority communities. As a web designer, I envision establishing a non-profit organization to support STEM students like myself. This nonprofit will provide tools for students to study information technology. I would also want to create a scholarship fund, just like the SigaLa Education Scholarship, to encourage students to pursue STEM courses. I do this in hopes of setting a path for others to follow. When it comes to following a set path, I do not let bad situations deter me from my goal. After many office hours, visits, YouTube videos, and a lot of resilience, I changed my grade from a C plus to an A. I did it. I finally did it. My professor personally applauded me for my improvement. As one of only two black students in the class, I often felt an unspoken sense of exclusion. This experience fueled my independence and determination to succeed. However, financing my education remains a formidable challenge. Every semester, my parents have to gather over ten thousand dollars for my school fees. With the Ghanaian cedi depreciating to the dollar, my parents work ten times harder. They are burdened with my fees and my two sisters’ high school fees. Last semester, my parents were not able to finish fee payments until three weeks before vacation. Despite applying for many scholarships, I have not won any. I am not deterred because I understand that others deserve it as much as I do. Even so, I will still persevere till my parents can finally breathe. In conclusion, this scholarship signifies more than financial relief. It signifies an opportunity to pursue my degree without fear of interruption. With a strong passion for computer science, I am committed to using my skills for the betterment of the community. Through establishing an NGO supporting minority students in STEM fields, I can make a meaningful impact. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and to inspire others facing similar challenges.

She cries, “ …throw your life away like it was nothing?” As her echoing voice dies down, he turns away and says “I’m not going there to die. I’m going to find out if I’m really alive. I have to do this Faye”. His fading footsteps broke the silence in the spaceship’s hallway. Steadily, she cocks a gun behind him. This sense of thrill and bittersweetness makes Cowboy Bebop the best anime of all time. Over the years, there have been a lot of anime series that have shaped my understanding of life and improved my emotional intelligence including Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titian, One Piece, and most importantly, Cowboy Bebop. The reasons why Cowboy Bebop is my favorite anime are the fascinating storylines, mesmerizing art animation, and harmonically sophisticated music. First and foremost, Cowboy Bebop was ahead of its time. Produced in 1998, it still has cultural significance to this present day. The story revolves around three protagonists who are bounty hunters namely Spike Spegal, Faye Valentine, and Jet Black. They live by the bounties they get and all have different beliefs and lifestyles in a futuristic dystopian galaxy in the year 2071. A recurring similarity between all these characters is they are all affected by their past lives and are unable to make peace with that. Later in the show, they meet a hacker girl, Edward, and a corgi, named Ein, who become a part of the crew. Faye Valentine is a lady who doesn’t remember her past along with that she realizes she had family and friends but they were all gone. Jet Black is a strong middle-aged man, an ex-cop, who was betrayed by his best friend and wife. Spike, a lazy yet mysterious, man used to work in an assassin group called the Syndicate. They grow to respect each other as a family and show great character development. In the end, Spike leaves to confront his past and fights the Syndicate as described in the introduction. This is in the final episode of the show. These scenes give prominence to amazing art style and animation. The series features a loose and cool color tone which is relaxing to the eye with imaginative and futuristic scenes. The animation is fluid and appealing, making fight scenes, like those in the fifth episode, engaging and dynamic with different perspective angles. From the trash-filled Earth and the reddish fast-paced cities on Mars, the backgrounds used are a feast for the eyes. Complementing these great visuals is a symphony so sweet my eyes water. The music used in this anime series is jazz which gives the series a very nostalgic feel. It allows you to feel the emotions of the scenes and characters. Imagine an intense fight with the tempo matched by the song Rush by Yoko Kanno and Seatbelts. It is the best feeling ever. To sum it all up, Cowboy Bebop has a great storyline, visuals, and music nonetheless the main theme of the show is moving forward from the past. This resonates with me because there are times in my life when I try to hide memories from the past instead of confronting them and moving on. It taught me that without making peace with the past we can not move forward into the future. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my favorite anime series, and as said in the show “ See you, space cowboy”.

She was so frightened she almost screamed. Spinning around with her shopping cart screeching away, this middle-aged lady walked to the opposite end of the aisle with her chic purse clutched tightly to her body. I could still hear her high heels clacking off as I thought, “What have I done wrong?” All I did was enter the same shopping aisle as she did. It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that the color of my skin caused me to look threatening—a threat I could not see. Sometimes, I seek to ignore its existence and pretend everything is fine, but the fear and the pain linger—the social injustice of racism. First and foremost, to understand the effects of racism, I had to relearn what it was. For individuals who have experienced racism, there are drastic effects on their mental and physical health due to the stress and economic disparity it causes. It took me a while to realize how far this social virus has spread. Some are asymptomatic, while others are not shy about showing the symptoms. The only way to cure this virus is to educate others about the effects of their behavior toward individuals from other ethnic backgrounds. That is why I am always willing to promote awareness on social media and on campus and engage in educational seminars for minority groups. This opportunity informs others about their behaviors towards people of color, consciously or subconsciously, and how to change these behaviors. As the great civil rights leader and activist Malcolm X said, “I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such regardless of their color.” The best way to show respect is to show support. I believe in supporting minority groups, especially people of color. Supporting these communities is one of the important steps to fighting racism. I have taken it upon myself to collaborate with a Black artist to create art posts and t-shirts for a Black-owned restaurant in Sterling, VA known as Johny Ray's Sultry Soul Food. This will give them the exposure they need to compete with other big restaurants out there. In the end, promoting racial awareness and supporting Black-owned businesses are just a few of the many ways to combat the tyranny of racism in the United States. Beyond the mental health problems racism causes individuals, it is also a leading factor in economic desperation. We all have to play our part to help rid the country of this social injustice.

I found it difficult to breathe. All I could smell was antiseptics and artificial fragrance. Opening my eyes slowly, I saw my parents and sisters staring at me in the hospital bed with a green crayon in my left hand and a ripped piece of paper. I had gotten another asthma attack yet I refused to let go of the art piece I was making. Even at seven, I had a burning passion and ambition to create and share art with friends. This is why I do art. Art led me to pursue a degree in Graphic design and Computer Science. From this degree, I seek to become a UI/UX and web designer. The introductory design course I took presumably looked easy. That was until my grade dropped to a B-. I was devastated. How was I getting a low grade at something I do best? I did not let that discourage me and decided to put in maximum effort and seek help from my professor as much as I could. Eventually, I got an A in the class and I was very proud of myself for that. However, It is difficult for students to get the help and resources needed for Art Majors. That is why in the long term I seek to create an NGO to support students like myself. I will provide internship opportunities, resources, and scholarships like this one to help students achieve their dream jobs. In working towards that project, I have collaborated with other like-minded artists to gather funds to make this NGO's dream come true. I am also working with a local restaurant with branding, animations, and designs to gather enough income for that. Ultimately, this NGO will be able to help millions of people around the world pursue and get their Art degrees. I will keep on working hard towards this goal. With help from family and friends and my love for art, I believe I have the potential to change the world.

Our hearts were burning while our brain gears whined. It was almost fifteen minutes past midnight. We asked ourselves burning questions and tried to solve them. We had been preparing for this Calculus midterm for days, but this differential equation problem was a lot to take in. After examining many mistakes, we found not only one way but three different methods to arrive at the same solution. That is the beauty of math. My attraction to math is based on its visualization, and step-by-step process. Understanding math is great, especially when it is visual. Visual learning helps me retain information more easily and faster. It is also very exciting and fun to see a diagram than to read a paragraph of words explaining a topic. A typical example was when solving word problems involving derivatives. There was a problem involving the speed of a ladder as it sloped down a wall. I found it difficult to grasp at first, but after creating a diagram showing how it falls and where to start calculating the speed, I solved the math problem easily. Visual guides are used by physicists, mathematicians, engineers, and economists to make informed decisions. Math is so visual that it can be artistic. The Fibonacci sequence, for instance, is used by many artists to create mesmerizing paintings. As an artistic student, this helps me a lot. Furthermore, mathematics can be seen as a step-by-step process. From when I started doing simple addition in grade one to making proofs of rational numbers in college, this mathematical journey has always been in stages. I have given myself a chance to grow in mathematics. It has felt like an adventure game where every stage has a final boss you must defeat to get to the next level. Looking back, the past me would have never thought that I would be able to get to this point. The ability to think logically and creatively with the help of good professors is what makes mathematics my favorite subject. In conclusion, math is visually appealing, universally understandable, and a gradual learning process. There is no better way to solve world problems than by using mathematics. After studying mathematics for so long, I have developed a passion so strong that I am willing to help anyone else with their journey in mathematics. Even though it might not be easy, it is worth it.