2021: The Year of Discovery by Ayush

2021: The Year of Discovery by Ayush - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

2021: a year of COVID, panic, and recovery. A roller coaster without the rails. A safe journey without the safety. This was a year that tested the world like no other. The world could have collapsed within minutes, within seconds. But it didn’t. We stayed strong as communities and communities stayed strong as states. Although some states did not get along, we made it through the year. For many, 2021 was a year of growth. As with I.

I always had an eye for technology. Entering my middle school years, I embarked on the technology world. I earned my Microsoft Expert Bundle certification and I felt like I conquered the world. Dr. Williams introduced me to the world of computer science, a vast world of problem-solving. Realizing that computer science was the key to the Jarvis innovation, I immediately understood my destiny. In 2021, I embarked deep into the world of computer science.

Becoming the President of my World Champion FTC robotics club, I took upon many leadership and programming challenges. Competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge, I explored the world of programming. I developed OpenCV models for autonomous robot navigation, created trigonometric models for encoder-based position tracking, and utilized potentiometers, gyroscopes, and photoelectric sensors to enhance the robot’s functionality. I spent thousands of hours perfecting an autonomous path, automating driver controls, and optimizing a flywheel PID.

I also explored the entrepreneurial world. I developed an online P2P renting marketplace, Rentathon, where I learned about user authentication, database management, and user interactions. Developing an intelligent sorting algorithm, QR code transaction system, and automated background check system, I immersed myself in the startup world.

Diving deeper into the world of app development, I created an app development firm, Neuralgorithmic. Pioneering Flutter, ReactNative, Java, and Swift projects, I published 18 apps with over 100,000 downloads in 2000 cities. Users around the world have emailed me personally telling me how one of my apps impacted their life. It was then that I realized the global reach and impact of computer science.

The STEM community is one of the most diversified, intellectual, and courteous communities in the world. From developing my first “Hello World” program to creating multi-threading email authentication loops, I attribute my knowledge to my amazing mentors. I wanted to give back. Give back grand.

I came across the Shooting Stars Foundation, a nonprofit organization that runs educational programs and donates the money raised to students in 3rd world countries seeking collegiate education. Connecting with the founder of the organization, I planned a one-week entrepreneurship summer camp for students in grades 8-12. Organizing job shadows and guest speakers from fortune 500 companies Tech Data, Nielsen, and Jabil as well as from local tech startups, I learned how to develop relationships at companies no matter the size. Throughout the week, I held workshops on the elements of a business, incorporation information, prototyping, and how to develop a professional business plan and pitch. At the end of the week, the students pitched their businesses to a panel of investors I organized who gave them constructive feedback.

As I started enjoying app development, I wanted to run a similar program that taught students how to make their very own apps. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I needed to adapt. I worked with the Shooting Stars Foundation to market a virtual app development program nationwide. It was a five-week curriculum that included app ideation, backend development, frontend development, and publishing. Running this program twice nationwide, it has become a nationwide initiative for the Shootings Stars Foundation called App Academy.

In total, the programs I ran raised enough money for 5 semesters of college ($2500) for a student in India. Through this experience, I was able to give back to the community that allowed me to learn so much.

Throughout 2021, I learned more than just computer science. I learned how to give back to my community in unique ways, work collaboratively with a team to create grand projects, and lead a team to success. 2021 was the year of growth; 2022 is the year of acceleration.