Dark and Light Scholarship

My name is Tashyra Lyles, and I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and a Sophomore Psychology major at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. After graduating high school, I will attend Spelman College and enter its dual degree engineering program. A series of experiences have helped me cultivate my love of engineering and encouraged me to use my education to serve my beloved community. I was in the fifth grade when I joined my school's lego league robotics team. This experience was my earliest memory of learning to utilize my problem-solving skills and build solutions through technology. I still remember the first competition my team and I participated in: the Trash Trek Challenge. The goal of the match was to deliver different lego blocks to their designated space. Our robot had to complete twelve tasks, and once the competition began, we had to refrain from touching it until the game was over. The competition required us to construct blueprints, manipulate coding software, and, most importantly, work as a team. I'm unsure if it was the challenging problems, the collaborative nature, or the gratification of seeing our robots in motion but this competition sparked my passion for engineering and made me want to explore it further. As I grew and learned more about engineering, I not only began to explore a career in engineering but about how I could leverage my personal career to positively impact my community. Traveling and my participation in different activities, led me to notice the major differences between the surrounding communities and my own. For example, the inadequate stormwater management, traffic congestion, and most pressing, the lack of affordable housing that is being exacerbated by the growing population and gentrification. These shortcomings can greatly impact the quality of life for present and future residents. Therefore as I obtain my post-secondary education in Civil Engineering, I plan to develop solutions that will revitalize not only my community but other communities that are also in need of the same assistance if not more. I have many plans that I would like to put into place after I graduate, I first want to develop sustainable designs to combat stormwater runoff because if not managed properly it can have a significant negative impact on water quality, flood control, erosion control, and the environment as a whole. I then want to start working on Atlanta’s city’s traffic congestion issue by improving access to public transportation and promoting alternative modes of transportation, such as biking or walking, which can be achieved through infrastructure improvements like bike lanes or added pedestrian walkways. Most importantly though, I plan to address Atlanta’s lack of affordable housing by developing designs that are cost-effective and sustainable. Not only would construction materials be more affordable, but my recent involvement in Stockbridge’s Real Estate Enrichment Program (REEP) would allow me to optimize land usage by designing housing projects that make efficient use of space, such as multi-story buildings, mixed-use developments, or cluster housing. Indian revolutionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Therefore, I look forward to continuing to learn more about engineering and being able to master my craft and advance humanity through the development of better technology.

My name is Malik bridges, I am a senior at McEachern high school. I am involved In the choir for my forth year now ; I’ve been in every musical my school has had, I am also the Vice President of my chorus class. Being a member of the chorus council is something I take very serious for it is a huge responsibility to me. I am also a member of a club my school calls “kings club” a club where we uplift brotherhood !! I’m looking to become Vice President of that club also. While I have involved myself In the arts aspect of school my dream degree is nursing ; I am going to college to become a nurse practitioner. I wanted to go into this field because although I love to sing and act I have other hobbies or desires in life. I love people, always have ! I’m looking forward to becoming a nurse so that I can assist those in need to my best abilities. Being in the Medical field is something I’ve been passionate about since I was a little kid . Helping people has always been my nature and I can’t wait to do it for my career. I grew up in downtown Atlanta where the education was not the best but thanks to my mother we were moved into a county with a better education system. I live with my single mother who has been my solid parent for my whole life , my mom has been my rock, protecter, provider etc . Growing up with a single mother I could do nothing but dream of someday helping her out and repaying her for all she has done for me and what better way than becoming successful in something I love and taking care of my mother. While I know this journey to success won’t be easy I am not frightened for my faith is stronger than my fear. A side factor about me ; I am a Christian!!! Who strives for a relationship with god. I have been on this journey for a while now, the lord has always been good to me and I believe he deserves all of the praise. I’m taking it day by day and will not let anything throw me off my path. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be apart of this scholarship while I hope I win ! Whoever wins deserves it, Have a great day thank you again.